‘HIGHLAND HIKER’ BACK TOGETHER

Areturn to steam next year is in prospect for oldest surviving ‘Black Five’ No. 5025 at the Strathspey Railway, in good time for its 90th birthday in 2024.

The bottom half of the Stanier 4-6-0 is complete, with its smokebox back in place and expected to have been riveted and painted as this issue went to press. Its new tender tank has also been returned to its chassis, and only requires final finishing jobs and painting.

The overhaul of its boiler is nearing completion at Riley & Son (E) Ltd and its hydraulic test is imminent. The Strathspey now aims to have the locomotive operational for the start of the 2020 season.

Outshopped from the Vulcan Foundry in August 1934, No. 5025 was sent new to Perth shed to work the Highland main line, where the Class 5s were known as ‘Hikers’ by the crews. Based at the Strathspey

since 1975, it returned to the main line for railtours in the 1980s but last steamed in 1993.

It is being restored as closely as possible to its original 1934 condition, and the work has included such major surgery as new cylinders and replacement frame sections. Aviemore shed foreman Nathan Lightowler has previously stated that the volunteer team “wants it to be the finest and most completely restored ‘Black Five’ in preservation.”

It is owned by the WEC Watkinson Trust, named after Ted Watkinson who saved it for preservation from Carnforth in 1968, when it was the oldest ‘Black Five’ still in service. Donations can be sent to the Trust at WAD Macphail CA, 80 Bruceland Road, Elgin, Moray, IV30 1SP or made via www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk/ donations/