LMS '5MT' Class (Black 5) - 44901

The 'Black 5's' introduced by Sir William Stanier on the London Midland & Scottish Railway in 1934 were certainly one of the most successful locomotives ever designed for a British Railway. They were equally at home on express  passenger or freight trains & were to be found everywhere on the LMS system. In Wales they were to be seen working many trains over the North Wales Coast Line as well as between Shrewsbury & Swansea on the Central Wales Line. Well over 800 of these powerful locomotives were built & the survivors worked trains up until the last day of steam operation on BR in August 1968.

LMS '5MT' Class (Black 5) - 44901 No.44901 was built at Crewe Works in October 1945 & spent most of its working life in Scotland before its withdrawal from service in October 1965. Seen here on display at Bute Road. (Photo Jeff Morgan)