Historic local journeys back from the past after epic Strathspey restoration job
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The staggering achievement by Strathspey’s steam railway enthusiasts in restoring LMS 5025 to its former glory was put into context perfectly on Tuesday as the loco made its first public appearance in almost 30 years.
Young engineers Matthew Murphie and Seonagh MacDonald told the Strathy: “Because of the love and devotion that has been shown to it, this locomotive won’t need this kind of work again for another 50 years.”
Kitted out for the big day as guard and inspectors’ observation carriage assistant, they said: “It is designed and built to withstand speeds of 70mph, but safely installed on the Strathspey line it will only ever do 25mph. It’s a whole new lease of life for it and it will be well looked after, now all this time and money has been spent on it.”
But even the finances of the project have been a triumph. Yes, it may have cost £519,661 and 16 pence – but that’s pocket money compared with the restoration of the Flying Scotsman, so it represents the most amazing value for money.
As project manager Paul Blount amplified: “There has been a similar amount of work done on both locos, in fact we probably did more, but theirs cost the country eight times as much, at £4,537,892!
“Today’s rollout ends a story of endeavour, enthusiasm, thousands of hours of effort and sheer determination. People said it couldn’t be done with our lack of facilities, manpower and finance, but here it is.
“It’s a story of engineering achievement – despite much additional work, making many new parts and restoring and refurbishing other components, it worked perfectly first time. That’s almost unheard of in preservation.”
Due credit had to go to the Strathspey Railway’s workshop foreman Nathan Lightowler – who duly got to ride the footplate on Tuesday and present the star of the show to the waiting press and public.
Mr Blount said: “His expertise, knowledge, skill and dedication has made today possible.
“This is also a story of belief by all the people who have put time and money into the project.”
Fundraising began in 2002 when the Watkinson Trust, who look after the loco, began to consider the possibility of restoration.
The trust is indebted to the project backers, including the Lottery Heritage Fund, the Strathspey Railway Company, the Strathspey Railway Association, the Strathspey Railway Trust and the many people who have given donations over the years.
“This has been the most significant engineering work carried out on a locomotive in the Highlands since Lochgorm Works in Inverness was confined to light repairs in 1929,” said trust chairman Neil Sinclair.
“The 5025’s hauling trains again on the Strathspey Railway is also a major event in railway history.
“ It means that passengers in the Highlands will be able to travel behind a member of the Black Five class which dominated the working of trains in the region from 1934 – when 5025 itself first worked here – for almost 30 years.
“The engine is also a link with the end of an era on British Railways,” Mr Sinclair pointed out.
“It was one of the last steam locomotives to be withdrawn in 1968.”
