LMS Stanier Jubilee 45699 Galatea
| LMS Stanier Jubilee 45699 Galatea | |
|---|---|
 LMS 45699 Galatea (April 2025) | |
| Built By | Crewe |
| Configuration | 4-6-0 |
| Status | Operational, Main Line Registered |
| Loco Number | 45699 |
| Other Numbers | 5699 |
| History | |
| Built | 1936 |
| Designed By | Sir William Stanier, FRS |
| Type | Jubilee |
| 1964 | Withdrawn |
| 1980 | Bought for spares |
| 1983 | Purchased by SVR(H) |
| 1987 | Moved to SVR |
| 1994 | Sold by SVR(H) |
| Technical | |
| Length | 64ft 8¾" |
| Weight | 79t 11cwt |
| Tractive effort | 26,610 lb |
| Pressure | 225 lb/sq in |
LMS Stanier Jubilee 45699 Galatea was owned by the SVR between 1983 and 1994, arriving on the Railway in 1987 in ex-Barry condition and remaining unrestored throughout the SVR's ownership. Galatea is a sister engine of former SVR resident 45690 Leander.
45699 in service[edit | edit source]
5699 was built at Crewe in April 1936 and named 'Galatea' after HMS Galatea.[note 1] It was later renumbered 45699 by BR following nationalisation. In August 1953 Galatea was derailed and overturned whilst hauling a passenger train at Wilnecote[1]. The locomotive was repaired and continued in service until being withdrawn by BR at Shrewsbury in November 1964, moving to Barry Scrapyard the following year.
45699 in preservation[edit | edit source]
Whilst at Barry, a shunting accident had derailed the locomotive, resulting in Woodham's cutting the centre driving wheels. Galatea's sister locomotive Leander, already restored to main-line condition, was acquired by Leander Locomotive Limited in 1977. In 1980 they purchased Galatea from Barry as a source of spare parts, with the locomotive moving to Carnforth in April of that year.
Later in 1980, Leander made the first of several visits to the SVR for contract work (initially an overhaul to main-line standard) and gala appearances. During this time good working relations were established between the owners/support crew and SVR staff. When the owners put Leander up for sale in November 1983, they approached the SVR and SVR(H) agreed to purchase the locomotive with part of the deal also involving the sale of Ivatt 2MT 46443 in exchange.[2][3] The purchase included Galatea, still in storage at Carnforth in ex-Barry condition.
By 1987 space was no longer available at Carnforth and Galatea was moved by road to the SVR, arriving on 17 April.[4] In 1989 SVR News noted that "Many members will have seen advertisements in the railway press concerning the restoration of "Galatea"; these have been of some concern to Directors since it is the property of SVR(H), having been purchased with "Leander" as a source of spares, and the SVR(H) Board has asked the Guarantee Company Board to consider its future."[5]
In winter of 1994 the SVR(H) Board announced the sale of 45690 Leander to the family of Dr. Peter Beet, and also of 45699 Galatea to another unnamed purchaser.[6] Galatea's ownership subsequently passed to the North of England Historic Railway Trust Limited which was incorporated in 2002, and the locomotive based at West Coast Railways' headquarters at Carnforth Motive Power Depot. As of 2025[update] the Trust is chaired by West Coast Railways' David Smith.[7]
Galatea returned to steam in 2013 on the main line, with a debut rail tour working a private charter in May 2013. It subsequently made its first appearance at a heritage railway in May 2015 at the Mid-Norfolk Railway.[8] It underwent its first preservation overhaul in 2022-23.[9]
Galatea at Ely, 18 May 2013
Galatea at Carlisle, 11 November 2013
Galatea at Dereham (MNR), 31 May 2014
Sierra Leone (Galatea in Disguise), stood in the bay platform at Kidderminster Town (SVR), 18 April 2025
In 2022 the pattern originally made to replace two cut driving wheels on Galatea was loaned by Tyseley Locomotive Works to the LMS Patriot Project, building replica LMS Patriot Class No. 5551 The Unknown Warrior[10].
In April 2025 the SVR announced that Galatea was to appear in the forthcoming Spring Steam Gala, running as classmate 45627 Sierra Leone. This would be the engine's first time operating at the Severn Valley Railway. It was joined by classmate 45596 Bahamas for the gala, the first appearance of two Jubilees together on a heritage railway since the late 1990s.[11][note 2]
See also[edit | edit source]
Notes[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ MOT accident report Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ↑ SVR Stock Book Eighth Edition
- ↑ SVR News 70
- ↑ SVR News 86, p.33., Photo of Galatea on a low loader
- ↑ SVR News 91, Spring 1989, pp.3-4., Boardroom Notes
- ↑ SVR News 113
- ↑ Companies House
- ↑ Wikipedia
- ↑ Rail Advent 1 February 2023
- ↑ Rail Advent 10 March 2022
- ↑ Trackside Magazine, Issue 46, p.6.
Links[edit | edit source]
- LMS Jubilee Class 5699 Galatea on Wikipedia
- North of England Historic Railway Trust Limited on Companies House
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