Black 5 Engine

Children will love following in the footsteps of the Black 5 Engine, using this high quality model! The magnetic system makes it easy to link with wagons, and it is compatible with any wooden railway.



History



No. 45379 is a member of the ex London, Midland & Scottish Railway's class 5's, of which 842 wereproduced, with 45379 built by Armstrong Whitworth of Newcastle in July 1937. Commonly known asBlack 5's because they were painted black, they were a 'go anywhere, do anything' steam engine thatcould turn its hand to both passenger and freight duties. The engine was withdrawn from service byBritish Railways in the summer of 1965, being taken to Barry scrapyard in Wales where it languisheduntil 1974 when it was saved by preservationists.



45379 was acquired by The Mid Hants Railway Preservation Society in 2002 and moved to theWatercress Line for restoration by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. Not having steamed since 1965,45379 took to the rails again on Tuesday 31st August 2010 following a lengthy overhaul.



The Watercress Line is a 10 mile railway running between the market towns of Alresford and Alton inHampshire. It is one of the steepest graded standard gauge lines in the country and large engines likeNo. 45379 have to work hard when hauling trains over the summit, known by footplate crews as 'goingover the Alps', such is the effort required!