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The Black Five 4-6-0

The Black Five

Locomotives of this class were nicknamed the Black Fives on account of their class number and paintwork.

Between 1934-1951, 842 locomotives of this class were built. They were used on all types of line and pulled everything from freight wagons to royal carriages. This class was the most widely used type of engine to run between North Scotland and the south coast.

Locomotive No 5000 was built in Crewe in 1935 at a cost of £7,000. In 1967 it was taken out of service and put on display in the Railway Museum.

Fact File

  • Built: Crewe works, 1935
  • Company: London, Midland & Scottish Railway
  • Designer: William Stanier
  • Cost: £7,062
  • Function: Pulling freight and passenger trains across the LMS network
  • Coal Capacity: 9 tons (9.1 tonnes)
  • Water Capacity: 4,000 gallons (18,184 litres)
  • Locomotive Length: 63 ft 7 in (19.4 metres)
  • Locomotive Width: 8 ft, 7 in (2.6 metres)
  • Locomotive Weight (empty): 61tons (62 tonnes)
  • Locomotive Weight (working order): 70.6 tons (71.7 tonnes)

Locomotive inventory number 1978-7040
Photograph reference number NRM_CD050177