LMS Black Five 45212

The London Midland and Scottish Railway Class 5 4-6-0, almost universally known as the Black Five, is a class of steam locomotive. It was introduced by William Stanier in 1934 and 842 were built between then and 1951. Members of the class survived to the last day of steam on British Railways in 1968, and eighteen are preserved. This class of locomotive was often a favourite amongst drivers and railway fans.

 

 

Specifications
Configuration	4-6-0
UIC classification	2′C h2
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading wheel diameter	3 ft 3 1⁄2 in (1.003 m)
Driver diameter	6 ft 0 in (1.829 m)
Length	63 ft 7 3⁄4 in (19.40 m) or 63 ft 11 3⁄4 in (19.50 m)
Locomotive weight	72.2 long tons (73.4 t) to 75 long tons (76.2 t)
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	9 long tons (9.1 t)
Water capacity	4,000 imp gal (18,000 l; 4,800 US gal)
Boiler	LMS type 3B
Boiler pressure	225 lbf/in2 (1.55 MPa) superheated
Firegrate area	27 3⁄4 or 28 1⁄2 sq ft (2.58 or 2.65 m2) or 28.5 sq ft (2.65 m2)
Heating surface: – Tubes and flues	1,426 to 1,479 sq ft (132.5 to 137.4 m2)
– Firebox	156 or 171 sq ft (14.5 or 15.9 m2)
Superheater area	228 to 365 sq ft (21.2 to 33.9 m2)
Cylinders	Two, outside
Cylinder size	18 1⁄2 in × 28 in (470 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gear	Most Walschaerts; some Caprotti; one outside Stephenson

 

The Black Fives were a mixed traffic locomotive, a "do-anything go-anywhere" type, designed by Stanier, who had previously been with the GWR. In his early LMS days, he designed his Stanier Mogul 2-6-0 in which he experimented with the GWR school of thought on locomotive design. A number of details in this design he would never use again realising the superiority of details not used on the GWR. Stanier realised that there was a need for larger locomotives. These were to be the LMS version of the GWR Halls but not a copy, as the Hall was too wide to run most places in Britain. They shared similar cylinder arrangement (two outside), internal boiler design and size and 6 foot driving wheel diameters.
In their early days the locomotives were known as the "Black Staniers" from their black livery, in contrast to Stanier's other class of 4-6-0, the LMS Stanier Jubilee Class, which were painted crimson (and known until April 1935 as the "Red Staniers"). Later on, the nickname of the former became "Black Five", the number referring to the power classification. This was originally 5P5F, but from 1940 was shown on cabsides as the simple figure 5.

 

There were a number of detail variations in the locomotives and they did not all remain in the same condition as built. Some locomotives built under British Railways administration were used as test beds for various design modifications with a view to incorporating the successful modifications in the Standard Classes of locomotives built from 1951 onwards. These modifications included outside Caprotti valve gear, roller bearings (both Timken and Skefco types) on the coupled and tender axles in varying combinations, and an experimental steel firebox. Other locomotives had modified draughting to "self clean" the smokebox (thereby reducing turn-around and disposal times and eliminating or mitigating one of the most unpopular jobs).

 

45212 Recently came under a deal with Bury based engineer Ian Riley for a 10 year loan agreement which will see it work on the mainline in the future alongside fellow Bury based engines 44871 & 45407. 44806 Is also down for mainline use after the completion of its next overhaul.

 

My thanks to Wikipedia for the above notes