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The British Railways (BR) Standard Class 5MT No. 73129 is a type of 4-6-0, steam locomotive built at the Derby Locomotive Works, and delivered in August 1956.

History[]

It was originally allocated to Shrewsbury Shed (which required the fitting of GWR style lamp brackets), but was later transferred to Patricroft Shed (near Manchester) in 1958. It spent the rest of its working life there until it was stored at Patricroft from June to November 1967; then, one month later, it was officially withdrawn from traffic on 2 December 1967. In February 1968, 73129 was sent to Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales where it was going to be scrapped. In 1972, 73129 was purchased by the Midland Railway Project Group where it hauls tourist trains.

Today it is still at the Midland Railway but it is undergoing a overhaul.

Preparation work for the transportation of the locomotive to Butterley was undertaken at Woodham Brothers with small working parties.

Trivia[]

  • It is the only surviving Standard Class 5 built by British Railways which was fitted with Caprotti valve gear.
  • It is one of only two surviving British locomotives with Caprotti valve gear (the other being BR Standard Class 8 71000 "Duke of Gloucester")
  • In addition, many spare parts were acquired from other locomotives, especially 73129's neighbour at Barry, 73096, which is now itself preserved.

Gallery[]

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