BR 4-6-0 Black 5 No. 45110 waits to be unloaded at Toddington - 20th May 2026
Well, after much speculation all over our social media channels in recent weeks, the 'coal is now very much out of the tender' so to speak. We are very pleased to reveal the mystery guest and final locomotive for this year's Cotswold Festival of Steam. As you will have no-doubt identified from the opening photograph, it is of course, BR 4-6-0 Black 5 No. 45110, which is appearing courtesy of West Coast Railways. This locomotive has a remarkable place in railway history, having featured in the final days of BR steam in 1968, including hauling the “Fifteen Guinea Special” - the train that marked the end of steam on the British main line.
The 'Black Five' touched down with us at Toddington yesterday evening, with the tender having arrived earlier in the afternoon. A big thank you to Railway Support Services (RSS) for their professional help to ensure that 45110 arrived safely. The arrival of 45110 completes the roster, and will join the previously announced guests (all of which are now on shed): 34070 'Manston', 229, 15189, 78022 & 22. We look forward to welcoming many of you over the gala weekend.
The 'Black Five' touched down with us at Toddington yesterday evening, with the tender having arrived earlier in the afternoon. A big thank you to Railway Support Services (RSS) for their professional help to ensure that 45110 arrived safely. The arrival of 45110 completes the roster, and will join the previously announced guests (all of which are now on shed): 34070 'Manston', 229, 15189, 78022 & 22. We look forward to welcoming many of you over the gala weekend.
Advance tickets for the weekend can still be purchased here: https://gwsr.com/whats-on/cotswold-festival-of-steam-2026/
45110 arrives at Toddington for the Cotswold Festival Of Steam 2026 - 20th May 2026
LMS Stanier Class 5 No. 45110 Locomotive Service History
45110 formed part of the third production batch of LMS Stanier Class 5 locomotives commissioned by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Constructed by the Vulcan Foundry under works number 4653 in 1934, the engine entered traffic in June 1935, carrying the LMS number 5110 and was allocated to Holyhead depot. During its early career, the locomotive handled a wide range of duties across North Wales and beyond. These included express passenger services and freight workings linking Holyhead with major destinations such as Chester, Crewe, Birmingham, London, Manchester and Liverpool, alongside local passenger trains serving Bangor, Rhyl, Llandudno Junction and Chester.
After the railways were nationalised, British Railways renumbered the locomotive as 45110 in 1949. Although Black Fives were commonly transferred between depots throughout the LMS system and later the wider BR network, 45110 remained based at Holyhead for almost twenty-nine years - an unusually lengthy stay at a single shed. As diesel traction gradually replaced steam operations along the North Wales Coast during the 1960s, the locomotive was eventually moved to Stafford in March 1964. One of only three Black Fives allocated there, it became a regular performer on freight services to Bescot and the Black Country, while also working passenger trains to Birmingham and Shrewsbury.
When steam operations at Stafford came to an end, 45110 was transferred to Bolton in July 1965 as part of the final concentration of steam locomotives in north-west England. The engine quickly became popular with both railwaymen and enthusiasts. It was selected to haul the Williams Deacon’s Bank Club railtour on 17th March 1968, during which it worked alongside several notable locomotives, including 70013 'Oliver Cromwell', 45447 and 4472 'Flying Scotsman'. Maintained to a particularly high standard by a Bolton-based enthusiast, 45110 was again chosen for the “North West Tour” railtour held on 20th April 1968, organised jointly by the Manchester Rail Travel Society and the Severn Valley Railway Society. On that occasion, the locomotive, assisted by 44949, hauled the first steam-operated section of the excursion between Stockport and Stalybridge via Buxton.
In July 1968, 45110 was transferred once more, this time to Lostock Hall depot. Soon afterwards, on 21st July, it participated in the Roch Valley Railway Society’s “Manchester – Southport Steam Excursions”, a special tour designed to cover four separate routes between the two towns. The locomotive handled the final stage of the journey alone, returning the train from Southport to Manchester.
The engine’s final ordinary passenger duty took place on 29th July 1968, when it substituted for a diesel locomotive on the 08:15 Preston to Windermere service and return. Because the turntable at Windermere had been removed the previous day, the return journey had to be worked tender-first. Its last freight assignment followed on 1st August, hauling the 19:14 parcels service from Colne to Preston.
The engine’s final ordinary passenger duty took place on 29th July 1968, when it substituted for a diesel locomotive on the 08:15 Preston to Windermere service and return. Because the turntable at Windermere had been removed the previous day, the return journey had to be worked tender-first. Its last freight assignment followed on 1st August, hauling the 19:14 parcels service from Colne to Preston.
45110 on the low-loader at Toddington - 20th May 2026
45110 & The “Fifteen Guinea Special”
British Railways’ final officially operated steam-hauled passenger service took place on 11th August 1968, just over a week after the end of regular steam workings on the national network. The farewell excursion, designated train '1T57', became widely known as the “Fifteen Guinea Special” due to the ticket price charged for the historic journey. 45110 hauled the opening section of the train from Liverpool to Manchester, where 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' took over for the run north to Carlisle. For the southbound journey, Black Fives 44781 and 44871 worked the first stages of the return trip before 45110 was entrusted with the concluding leg back to Liverpool.
The Fifteen Guinea Special approaching Roby Station, taken 11 August 1968 - Photo © Martin Tester (cc-by-sa/2.0)
geograph.org.uk/p/7695134
It's quite remarkable what crops up on YouTube. Here are a couple of short films showing 'The Fifteen Guinea Special' that operated on the 11th August 1968.
Footage from the '15 Guineas Special' on 11th August 1968. It was the last steam hauled passenger service on British Railways. The train is travelling from Dent station in Yorkshire north towards Carlisle on the Settle-Carlisle railway - Video © National Railway Museum
Preservation History of LMS Stanier Class 5 No. 45110
After the withdrawal of steam traction from British Railways in 1968, 45110 was rescued for preservation by the Stanier Black 5 Locomotive Preservation Society. A leading figure in the campaign to save the locomotive was the society’s chairman, David Porter, who was also connected with the Flairavia Flying Club based at Biggin Hill Airport. Through fundraising and volunteer support, the group successfully secured the engine’s future.
On 8th January 1969, the locomotive left Lostock Hall shed and was taken to Clapham Sidings. Three days later, it moved again, this time to the former BR depot at Ashford, which had been leased privately for restoration purposes. Volunteers associated with the flying club began carrying out maintenance and cosmetic work there, and the engine was steamed during several public open days. At one such event, it appeared with temporary nameplates carrying the title R.A.F. Biggin Hill, a name later officially adopted.
On 8th January 1969, the locomotive left Lostock Hall shed and was taken to Clapham Sidings. Three days later, it moved again, this time to the former BR depot at Ashford, which had been leased privately for restoration purposes. Volunteers associated with the flying club began carrying out maintenance and cosmetic work there, and the engine was steamed during several public open days. At one such event, it appeared with temporary nameplates carrying the title R.A.F. Biggin Hill, a name later officially adopted.
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As work progressed, the owners recognised the need for a long-term base where the locomotive could operate regularly. David Porter believed that the Severn Valley Railway would provide the ideal home, and plans were therefore made to transfer the engine there during 1970. On 17th August, 45110 departed Ashford and was hauled to Bescot. After its motion had been reassembled and steam raised, the locomotive completed the final section of the journey under its own power. It reached Bewdley on 20th August before continuing in steam to Bridgnorth. Following only limited preparation work, the Black Five entered regular service on the Severn Valley Railway on 20th September 1970.
The locomotive’s naming ceremony took place on 12th September 1971, when it officially received the name R.A.F. Biggin Hill. By then, 45110 had already become one of the railway’s most dependable engines, being regularly used on passenger trains and enthusiast specials alike.
45110 departs Bridgnorth Station, from Panpudding Hill, taken Sunday, 13 June, 1971 - Photo © Martin Tester (cc-by-sa/2.0)
geograph.org.uk/p/7819088
Following the creation of Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) Ltd in 1972, David Porter became one of its directors. Around this period, 45110 achieved another notable first in preservation. On 11th August 1973, the engine travelled from the Severn Valley Railway to Derby Litchurch Lane Works for an open day celebration while hauling a short set of LMS coaches. The journey is generally recognised as the first time a Severn Valley Railway locomotive and train had independently operated on the national rail network in preservation.
In 1975, the locomotive gained wider exposure through its appearance in the film The Seven-Per-Cent Solution. During the same decade, the engine was offered for sale. Although the Severn Valley Railway did not usually purchase locomotives itself, the management believed 45110 was too significant to lose and agreed to buy it for £19,000, with the cost spread over several years. While the decision was debated by some supporters, it guaranteed the locomotive’s continued presence on the railway.
45110 crosses Cleobury Road Bridge, from Panpudding Hill, taken Sunday, 13 June, 1971 - Photo © Martin Tester (cc-by-sa/2.0)
geograph.org.uk/p/7819113
Throughout the 1970s, the engine underwent periodic maintenance and repairs. This included boiler re-tubing during the winter of 1976–77. In 1977, 45110 suffered a derailment at Bridgnorth caused by a large lump of coal obstructing the yard. Subsequent winters saw further engineering attention, including repairs to the tender, fitting of a replacement smokebox and tyre turning at Tyseley. Despite these efforts, the locomotive’s condition gradually deteriorated as the years of service accumulated.
By the autumn of 1980, after travelling more than 21,000 miles in preservation, the locomotive was withdrawn for a complete overhaul. However, with several other engines already awaiting attention, restoration work did not begin immediately.
45110 recreating the 'Fifteen Guinea' final main line run of August 1968 at the Severn Valley Railway Autumn Gala of 1998 - Photo © Paul Fitzpatrick
When the overhaul eventually commenced in late 1986, it developed into one of the Severn Valley Railway’s largest and most demanding restoration projects. Major boiler reconstruction was required, including replacement of key sections such as the steel doorplate and copper inner firebox components. Progress was repeatedly delayed by financial constraints, and at times the locomotive existed largely in dismantled form. Over the course of the project, the frames were straightened, the wheels received new tyres, the valve gear and motion were rebuilt, and a completely new tender body was produced. Numerous fittings also had to be newly manufactured by staff and volunteers.
After nearly a decade of work, the rebuilding programme finally neared completion. By 1998, the motion and valve gear had been reassembled, pipework installed, and boiler repairs finished. The locomotive was successfully steamed again on 6th August 1998. The overhaul was considered one of the most extensive restorations undertaken on a preserved standard-gauge steam locomotive. Its return to operation also coincided with the thirtieth anniversary of the end of steam on British Railways.
Black Fives 45110 and 45407 passing Greenholme on 28th November 1998 with 'The Lakes Express' from Crewe to Carlisle and return - Video © acw71000
Once back in traffic, 45110 resumed work both on the Severn Valley Railway and on mainline railtours. Between 1998 and 2000, it visited destinations across Britain, including York, Blackpool, Plymouth, Penzance, Holyhead and Glasgow. Some excursions saw the engine double-head trains with fellow preserved locomotives such as 48773 and 45407.
Further maintenance was required during the following decade. In 2002, the locomotive visited Toton for tyre turning, while work carried out in 2003 included replacement of the smaller boiler tubes and attention to the pistons, valves and motion. Another tyre turning operation was completed in 2006. The locomotive’s second operational career eventually ended in late 2008, although a temporary six-month extension to its boiler certificate allowed it to participate in events commemorating forty years since the end of BR steam.
LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 5110 at Kidderminster - 31st March 2008 - Photo © Prichardson
Following withdrawal, 45110 spent a period on display at Barrow Hill Roundhouse. During this time, its tender was loaned for use behind Stanier Mogul No. 42968 after damage was sustained to the Mogul’s own tender wheels.
The locomotive returned to the Severn Valley Railway in October 2013 and later became an exhibit in The Engine House museum at Highley. In August 2018, it was moved to Kidderminster for the “Last Days of Steam” event commemorating fifty years since the conclusion of steam traction on British Railways. After the event, the locomotive remained stored at Kidderminster for several years.
In August 2023, the Severn Valley Railway announced that 45110 had been sold into private ownership. On 15th August, the locomotive left the railway by road transport and was moved to Carnforth Motive Power Depot, where overhaul and restoration work were planned for the future.
More detailed information on 45110 can be found on the SVR Wiki website.
The BR Database entry for 45110 can be found here.
For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR related groups which are worth following:
DMLL - Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd
2874 - The 2874 Trust
35006 - 35006 Group
76077 - Standard Locomotive 76077
THL - The Honeybourne Line - a GWR mainline in the making
The GWSR recently launched a new website and the various department blogs can all be found here.
Anyway, I know this instalment is rather short, but due to the above it was all rather last minute! I'd better get myself back down to Toddington and carry on assisting with the gala prep, after all, these locomotives don't sort themselves out.
6880 'Betton Grange' stabled with traction engines at Toddington - 20th May 2026
45110 locomotive history based on information from the BR Database, and SVR Wiki.
Alex (the sooty one!).
* Please Note: All locomotives are subject to availability and changes may be made at short notice.
All published photographs and videos are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.
