Active Mainline Steam Locomotives

[Steam4Max]

I am going to try to keep this thread up to date as best I can, to track which locomotives are currently active on the mainline. Then add to it as and when locos come out of overhaul. Help if any info is incorrect or missing would be great help.

(BR Numbers and will be grouped by current operator, even if not owned by them)

LSL (Locomotive Services Limited):

5029 Nunney Castle - Active (Returned 2025)
6024 King Edward I - Testing (Returned 2026)
34046 Braunton - Active (Returned ???)
45231 The Sherwood Forester - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2024)
46100 Royal Scot - Stored At Margate (Ticket Expired 2025)
60007 Sir Nigel Gresley - Active (Returned 2022)
60019 Bittern - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2015)
60532 Blue Peter - Active (Returned 2024)
61306 Mayflower - Active (Returned 2019)
70000 Britannia - Active (Returned 2022)
71000 Duke Of Gloucester - Active (Returned 2025)

WCR (West Coast Railways):

34028 Eddystone - Active (Returned 2021)
34067 Tangmere - Active (Returned 2021)
35018 British India Line - Awaiting Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2025/2026)
44871 - Active (Returned ???)
44932 - Active…Ish (Returned 2022)
45110 - Testing (Returned 2026)
45163 - Under Overhaul
45212 - Agreement Ended 2026 To Run On Mainline, To Return To KWVR (Ticket Expired 2025)
45407 The Lancashire Fusilier - Active (Returned 2025)
45699 Galatea - Active…Ish (Returned 2023)
46115 Scots Guardsman - Active…Ish (Returned 2019)
46233 Duchess Of Sutherland - Under Overhaul
48151 - Testing (Returned 2026)
62005 - Under Overhaul

Vintage Trains:

4965 Rood Ashton Hall - Stored At Tyseley
5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe - Active (Returned 2023)
5080 Defiant - Stored At Tyseley
7029 Clun Castle - Active (Returned 2026)
42968 - Proposed, Currently At SVR (Returned 2023)
60103 Flying Scotsman - Active (Returned 2022)
60163 Tornado - Active (Returned 2024)

Misc:

35028 Clan Line - Active (Returned 2024)
45596 Bahamas - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2025)

 

[Isle of Mull]

I am going to try to keep this thread up to date as best I can, to track which locomotives are currently active on the mainline. Then add to it as and when locos come out of overhaul. Help if any info is incorrect or missing would be great help.

(BR Numbers and will be grouped by current operator, even if not owned by them)

LSL (Locomotive Services Limited):

5029 Nunney Castle - Active (Returned 2025)
6024 King Edward I - Testing???
34046 Braunton - Active (Returned ???)
45231 The Sherwood Forester - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired ???)
46100 Royal Scot - Stored At Margate (Ticket Expired 2025)
60007 Sir Nigel Gresley - Active (Returned 2022)
60019 Bittern - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2015)
60532 Blue Peter - Active (Returned 2024)
61306 Mayflower - Active (Returned 2019)
70000 Britannia - Active (Returned 2022???)
71000 Duke Of Gloucester - Active (Returned 2025)

WCR (West Coast Railways):

34028 Eddystone - Active (Returned ???)
34067 Tangmere - Active (Returned 2021)
35018 British India Line - Active…Ish (Returned 2017???)
44871 - Active (Returned ???)
44932 - Active…Ish (Returned 2022)
45212 - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2025)
45407 The Lancashire Fusilier - Active (Returned ???)
45699 Galatea - Active…Ish (Returned 2023)
46115 Scots Guardsman - Active…Ish (Returned 2019)

Vintage Trains:

5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe - Active (Returned 2023)
7029 Clun Castle - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2025)
60103 Flying Scotsman - Active (Returned 2022)
60163 Tornado - Active (Returned 2024)

Misc:

35028 Clan Line - Active (Returned 2024)
45596 Bahamas - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2025)

I think 35018 is expiring this year but I could be wrong

 

[Steam4Max]

I think 35018 is expiring this year but I could be wrong

I’m not 100% sure either, hence the question marks, it’s difficult to tell with the vacuum braked locos because they haven’t been out and about.

 

[Isle of Mull]

I’m not 100% sure either, hence the question marks, it’s difficult to tell with the vacuum braked locos because they haven’t been out and about.

It’s a shame honestly I’ve always wanted to get a few miles behind 46115

 

[Steam4Max]

It’s a shame honestly I’ve always wanted to get a few miles behind 46115

I’ve never seen her as I’ve only just got back into the hobby in the last couple of years. And being unable to make The Greatest Gathering, I need WCR to sort the whole MK1 thing out before I am likely to see the 4/5 vacuum braked locos unfortunately. Just hoping they are back before going out of ticket.

 

[thejuggler]

Amazing Bahamas is already being overhauled. It doesn't seem two minutes since the announcement of the grant fund to rebuild it and I saw it in pieces at Ingrow during the early stages of the strip down, yet its over ten years!

 

[Tetragon213]

I believe Eddystone returned to service in September 2025, whereupon on her first railtour she unfortunately suffered a brake problem and was declared a failure at Basingstoke on her return working.

Annoyingly, I wasn't able to get my camera out in time at Whitchurch!

 

[Isle of Mull]

I believe Eddystone returned to service in September 2025, whereupon on her first railtour she unfortunately suffered a brake problem and was declared a failure at Basingstoke on her return working.

I think it would have been a bit before around the start since main line tests etc

 

[SECR 65]

If this date is of interest, 34028 Eddystone entered service on preserved lines in May 2021. I don't know when its ticket will exprire, but to my knowledge, it is still running on this ticket from 5 years ago. It didn't go mainline until last year, as stated above.

34028 Eddystone | Preservation

 

[Steam4Max]

If this date is of interest, 34028 Eddystone entered service on preserved lines in May 2021. I don't know when its ticket will exprire, but to my knowledge, it is still running on this ticket from 5 years ago. It didn't go mainline until last year, as stated above.

34028 Eddystone | Preservation

This is what I thought was the case but wasn’t 100%, so I will put 2021 for now unless anybody is any the wiser.

 

[Dave S 56F]

I am going to try to keep this thread up to date as best I can, to track which locomotives are currently active on the mainline. Then add to it as and when locos come out of overhaul. Help if any info is incorrect or missing would be great help.

(BR Numbers and will be grouped by current operator, even if not owned by them)

LSL (Locomotive Services Limited):

5029 Nunney Castle - Active (Returned 2025)
6024 King Edward I - Testing???
34046 Braunton - Active (Returned ???)
45231 The Sherwood Forester - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired ???)
46100 Royal Scot - Stored At Margate (Ticket Expired 2025)
60007 Sir Nigel Gresley - Active (Returned 2022)
60019 Bittern - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2015)
60532 Blue Peter - Active (Returned 2024)
61306 Mayflower - Active (Returned 2019)
70000 Britannia - Active (Returned 2022???)
71000 Duke Of Gloucester - Active (Returned 2025)

WCR (West Coast Railways):

34028 Eddystone - Active (Returned 2021)
34067 Tangmere - Active (Returned 2021)
35018 British India Line - Active…Ish (Returned 2017???)
44871 - Active (Returned ???)
44932 - Active…Ish (Returned 2022)
45212 - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2025)
45407 The Lancashire Fusilier - Active (Returned ???)
45699 Galatea - Active…Ish (Returned 2023)
46115 Scots Guardsman - Active…Ish (Returned 2019)

Vintage Trains:

5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe - Active (Returned 2023)
7029 Clun Castle - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2025)
60103 Flying Scotsman - Active (Returned 2022)
60163 Tornado - Active (Returned 2024)

Misc:

35028 Clan Line - Active (Returned 2024)
45596 Bahamas - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2025)

Unactive under overhaul or tickets expired. If you would like to include in the discussion these locos You haven't mentioned.

Vintage trains fleet:
7752 pannier tank (stored awaiting Overhaul)
6400 pannier tank (stored awaiting overhaul)
4936 kinlet Hall (Under Overhaul)
4965 Rood Aston Hall (Under overhaul)
Castle class 5080 Defiant (Under Overhaul)

West coast railways fleet:
34016 Bodmin (Stored in stripped down state)
Black 5 44767 George sephenson. (Under Overhaul early stages)
45110 rumoured Under Overhaul nearing completion.
45163 (fairly advanced stage of overhaul at riley and son engineering L.T.D.)
8F 48151 rumoured overhaul complete. (not air braked though for aircon stock).
8P 6201 princess elizabeth under overhaul)
45593 kohlapur stored 10A awaiting Overhaul.

private Loco Groups that W.C.R. loan locos for mainline tours:
Princess royal trust
46233 Duchess of Sunderland Under Overhaul.
K1 62005 (N.E.L.P.G.) overhaul nearly complete
5305 locomotive trust
70013 Oliver Cromwell underoverhaul nearing completion.
S15 30777 sir lamiel Under Overhaul complete next year estimated.
45305 Under Overhaul.

Mainline Locos permanently retired or short term stored or awaiting funding privately owned or N.R.M property:
8P 46229 duchess of Hamilton permanently retired. (unless decision made by N.R.M. to overhaul)
A4 60022 mallard (4468) retired possible swap could be done with A3 60103 Flying scotsman to fully overhaul 60022. (highly unlikely I think)
V2 60800 Green arrow retired. (unless monobloc cylinder crack could be renewed)
K4 61994 the Great Marquess permanently retired.
60009 Union of South Africa permanently retired.
30850 Lord Nelson decision not yet made wether to overhaul it.

L.S.L. fleet.
35027 port line possible return to mainline.

 

[Steam4Max]

Unactive under overhaul or tickets expired. If you would like to include in the discussion these locos You haven't mentioned.

Vintage trains fleet:
7752 pannier tank (stored awaiting Overhaul)
6400 pannier tank (stored awaiting overhaul)
4936 kinlet Hall (Under Overhaul)
4965 Rood Aston Hall (Under overhaul)
Castle class 5051 Defiant (Under Overhaul)

West coast railways fleet:
34016 Bodmin (Stored in stripped down state)
Black 5 44767 George sephenson. (Under Overhaul early stages)
45110 rumoured Under Overhaul nearing completion.
45163 (fairly advanced stage of overhaul at riley and son engineering L.T.D.)
8F 48151 rumoured overhaul complete. (not air braked though for aircon stock).
8P 6201 princess elizabeth under overhaul)
45593 kohlapur stored 10A awaiting Overhaul.

private Loco Groups that W.C.R. loan locos for mainline tours:
Princess royal trust
46233 Duchess of Sunderland Under Overhaul.
K1 62005 (N.E.L.P.G.) overhaul nearly complete
5305 locomotive trust
70013 Oliver Cromwell underoverhaul nearing completion.
S15 30777 sir lamiel Under Overhaul complete next year estimated.
45305 Under Overhaul.

Mainline Locos permanently retired or short term stored or awaiting funding privately owned or N.R.M property:
8P 46229 duchess of Hamilton permanently retired. (unless decision made by N.R.M. to overhaul)
A4 60022 mallard (4468) retired possible swap could be done with A3 60103 Flying scotsman to fully overhaul 60022. (highly unlikely I think)
V2 60800 Green arrow retired. (unless monobloc cylinder crack could be renewed)
K4 61994 the Great Marquess permanently retired.
60009 Union of South Africa permanently retired.
30850 Lord Nelson decision not yet made wether to overhaul it.

L.S.L. fleet.
35027 port line possible return to mainline.

Perfect thank you, I’ll add some of these later. Will probably leave the long term stored or unlikely to return out, to keep the list cleaner.

 

[Loadhaul60059]

One to file under the 'maybe' column for the time being, but 34007 'Wadebridge' is being overhauled at the moment. From the get go they've made reference to the possibility of running on the mainline, and have continued to hint at it since, including this comment from 2023:

Our strategy is to conduct the overhaul in such a way as to keep open the possibility of operating Wadebridge on the main line as well as on the Watercress Line and other heritage railways.

Overhaul News

The website dedicated to ex-SR locomotive 34007, Wadebridge

www.34007wadebridge.uk

Updates aren't that frequent, but it's one to keep an eye on. Would personally love to see another unrebuilt Bulleid out on the mainline!

 

[Steam4Max]

One to file under the 'maybe' column for the time being, but 34007 'Wadebridge' is being overhauled at the moment. From the get go they've made reference to the possibility of running on the mainline, and have continued to hint at it since, including this comment from 2023:

Overhaul News

The website dedicated to ex-SR locomotive 34007, Wadebridge

www.34007wadebridge.uk

Updates aren't that frequent, but it's one to keep an eye on. Would personally love to see another unrebuilt Bulleid out on the mainline!

I have been seening updates on Rileys pages for this one, again good to keep an eye on but I'll leave it off the list for now to keep it cleaner.

 

[Spamcan81]

I have been seening updates on Rileys pages for this one, again good to keep an eye on but I'll leave it off the list for now to keep it cleaner.

The intention is for 34007 to go main line

 

[Steam4Max]

The intention is for 34007 to go main line

Do we know roughly how far off it is? I saw a post recently with the cab being painted up nicely.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 May 2026 ==

Unactive under overhaul or tickets expired. If you would like to include in the discussion these locos You haven't mentioned.

Vintage trains fleet:
7752 pannier tank (stored awaiting Overhaul)
6400 pannier tank (stored awaiting overhaul)
4936 kinlet Hall (Under Overhaul)
4965 Rood Aston Hall (Under overhaul)
Castle class 5051 Defiant (Under Overhaul)

West coast railways fleet:
34016 Bodmin (Stored in stripped down state)
Black 5 44767 George sephenson. (Under Overhaul early stages)
45110 rumoured Under Overhaul nearing completion.
45163 (fairly advanced stage of overhaul at riley and son engineering L.T.D.)
8F 48151 rumoured overhaul complete. (not air braked though for aircon stock).
8P 6201 princess elizabeth under overhaul)
45593 kohlapur stored 10A awaiting Overhaul.

private Loco Groups that W.C.R. loan locos for mainline tours:
Princess royal trust
46233 Duchess of Sunderland Under Overhaul.
K1 62005 (N.E.L.P.G.) overhaul nearly complete
5305 locomotive trust
70013 Oliver Cromwell underoverhaul nearing completion.
S15 30777 sir lamiel Under Overhaul complete next year estimated.
45305 Under Overhaul.

Mainline Locos permanently retired or short term stored or awaiting funding privately owned or N.R.M property:
8P 46229 duchess of Hamilton permanently retired. (unless decision made by N.R.M. to overhaul)
A4 60022 mallard (4468) retired possible swap could be done with A3 60103 Flying scotsman to fully overhaul 60022. (highly unlikely I think)
V2 60800 Green arrow retired. (unless monobloc cylinder crack could be renewed)
K4 61994 the Great Marquess permanently retired.
60009 Union of South Africa permanently retired.
30850 Lord Nelson decision not yet made wether to overhaul it.

L.S.L. fleet.
35027 port line possible return to mainline.

Something I also hadn’t considered is new builds, hopefully in the next couple of year we could have a P2, B17 and a Standard 6 amongst others.

 

[Invincible]

31806 is also mainline approved at Swanage Railway, but no recent trips

History made in Dorset as steam locomotive No. 31806 hauls first mainline passenger train in 50 years

History has been made in Dorset when Southern Railway 'U' Class No. 31806 hauled the first mainline passenger train between Yeovil and Weymouth for the first time in 50 years.

www.railadvent.co.uk

 

[webbfan]

Do we know roughly how far off it is? I saw a post recently with the cab being painted up nicely.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 May 2026 ==


Something I also hadn’t considered is new builds, hopefully in the next couple of year we could have a P2, B17 and a Standard 6 amongst others.

Plus the Patriot now they have someone competent working on it.

 

[Steam4Max]

31806 is also mainline approved at Swanage Railway, but no recent trips

History made in Dorset as steam locomotive No. 31806 hauls first mainline passenger train in 50 years

History has been made in Dorset when Southern Railway 'U' Class No. 31806 hauled the first mainline passenger train between Yeovil and Weymouth for the first time in 50 years.

www.railadvent.co.uk

Again I will keep an eye out but for now won’t include it as it’s been a while since it had its last run out.

 

[Sidmouth34010]

Again I will keep an eye out but for now won’t include it as it’s been a while since it had its last run out.

the main line equipment may now be on 34028 so a return to main line metals for 31806 less likely

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 May 2026 ==

Unactive under overhaul or tickets expired. If you would like to include in the discussion these locos You haven't mentioned.

Vintage trains fleet:
7752 pannier tank (stored awaiting Overhaul)
6400 pannier tank (stored awaiting overhaul)
4936 kinlet Hall (Under Overhaul)
4965 Rood Aston Hall (Under overhaul)
Castle class 5051 Defiant (Under Overhaul)

West coast railways fleet:
34016 Bodmin (Stored in stripped down state)
Black 5 44767 George sephenson. (Under Overhaul early stages)
45110 rumoured Under Overhaul nearing completion.
45163 (fairly advanced stage of overhaul at riley and son engineering L.T.D.)
8F 48151 rumoured overhaul complete. (not air braked though for aircon stock).
8P 6201 princess elizabeth under overhaul)
45593 kohlapur stored 10A awaiting Overhaul.

private Loco Groups that W.C.R. loan locos for mainline tours:
Princess royal trust
46233 Duchess of Sunderland Under Overhaul.
K1 62005 (N.E.L.P.G.) overhaul nearly complete
5305 locomotive trust
70013 Oliver Cromwell underoverhaul nearing completion.
S15 30777 sir lamiel Under Overhaul complete next year estimated.
45305 Under Overhaul.

Mainline Locos permanently retired or short term stored or awaiting funding privately owned or N.R.M property:
8P 46229 duchess of Hamilton permanently retired. (unless decision made by N.R.M. to overhaul)
A4 60022 mallard (4468) retired possible swap could be done with A3 60103 Flying scotsman to fully overhaul 60022. (highly unlikely I think)
V2 60800 Green arrow retired. (unless monobloc cylinder crack could be renewed)
K4 61994 the Great Marquess permanently retired.
60009 Union of South Africa permanently retired.
30850 Lord Nelson decision not yet made wether to overhaul it.

L.S.L. fleet.
35027 port line possible return to mainline.

4936 I probably wouldn't count as VT fleet . Changed ownership since its main line running (as with 4953 as well) 5051 is Didcot's , 5080 is Defiant

 

[158760]

31806 is also mainline approved at Swanage Railway, but no recent trips

History made in Dorset as steam locomotive No. 31806 hauls first mainline passenger train in 50 years

History has been made in Dorset when Southern Railway 'U' Class No. 31806 hauled the first mainline passenger train between Yeovil and Weymouth for the first time in 50 years.

www.railadvent.co.uk

It’s no longer mainline fitted, the equipment was removed a year or two ago.

 

[341o2]

I believe Eddystone returned to service in September 2025, whereupon on her first railtour she unfortunately suffered a brake problem and was declared a failure at Basingstoke on her return working.

Annoyingly, I wasn't able to get my camera out in time at Whitchurch!

Seems to be doing fine now. Eddystone returned to the Swanage Railway for the winter, and appeared at the Spring steam gala on Sunday, leaving the railway shortly afterwards to travel to Southall. Been in mainline action since. A credit to David Ensor and the team at Southern Locomotives Ltd for restoring it to mainline standards. Most of the locos on the Swanage Railway are owned by third parties

 

[Invincible]

It’s no longer mainline fitted, the equipment was removed a year or two ago.

Thanks, did the equipment go to Eddystone, which is a more suitable size (larger) locomotive for the mainline?
(Just saw post #20)

 

[158760]

Thanks, did the equipment go to Eddystone, which is a more suitable size (larger) locomotive for the mainline?
(Just saw post #20)

I believe it did, happy to be corrected though.

 

[martin butler]

The U class was i believe out of gauge for the Weymouth line after NR relaid some of the tracks, in effect preventing it leaving Swanage railway metals.

 

[Dave S 56F]

Do we know roughly how far off it is? I saw a post recently with the cab being painted up nicely.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 May 2026 ==


Something I also hadn’t considered is new builds, hopefully in the next couple of year we could have a P2, B17 and a Standard 6 amongst others.

61673 spirit of sandringham B17 could actually take 10 years to build as it still needs cylinders casting valve gear connection rods brake rigging gear and a complete new boiler building plus the tender restoring. Although it is quite advanced in some of the parts already cast for it like new driving wheelsets bogie wheelsets and axles smoke box chimney main frames cab been fabricated.

 

[Woolos 22]

6024 King Edward I did it first main test run to Chester from crewe today

 

[Steam4Max]

6024 King Edward I did it first main test run to Chester from crewe today

I did see that, I’ve changed it from “Testing???” to just “Testing”… a big change I know

 

[Cowley]

6024 King Edward I did it first main test run to Chester from crewe today

This is very good news

 

[HertiageFan]

I am going to try to keep this thread up to date as best I can, to track which locomotives are currently active on the mainline. Then add to it as and when locos come out of overhaul. Help if any info is incorrect or missing would be great help.

(BR Numbers and will be grouped by current operator, even if not owned by them)

LSL (Locomotive Services Limited):

5029 Nunney Castle - Active (Returned 2025)
6024 King Edward I - Testing
34046 Braunton - Active (Returned ???)
45231 The Sherwood Forester - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired ???)
46100 Royal Scot - Stored At Margate (Ticket Expired 2025)
60007 Sir Nigel Gresley - Active (Returned 2022)
60019 Bittern - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2015)
60532 Blue Peter - Active (Returned 2024)
61306 Mayflower - Active (Returned 2019)
70000 Britannia - Active (Returned 2022???)
71000 Duke Of Gloucester - Active (Returned 2025)

WCR (West Coast Railways):

34028 Eddystone - Active (Returned 2021)
34067 Tangmere - Active (Returned 2021)
35018 British India Line - Active…Ish (Returned 2017???)
44871 - Active (Returned ???)
44932 - Active…Ish (Returned 2022)
45110 - Under Overhaul
45163 - Under Overhaul
45212 - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2025)
45407 The Lancashire Fusilier - Active (Returned ???)
45699 Galatea - Active…Ish (Returned 2023)
46115 Scots Guardsman - Active…Ish (Returned 2019)
46233 Duchess Of Sutherland - Under Overhaul
48151 - Under Overhaul
62005 - Under Overhaul

Vintage Trains:

4965 Rood Ashton Hall - Under Overhaul
5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe - Active (Returned 2023)
5080 Defiant - Under Overhaul
7029 Clun Castle - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2025)
60103 Flying Scotsman - Active (Returned 2022)
60163 Tornado - Active (Returned 2024)

Misc:

35028 Clan Line - Active (Returned 2024)
45596 Bahamas - Under Overhaul (Ticket Expired 2025)

Does NYMR to Whitby locomotives count? If so, 45428, 44806 and 926 Repton are all certified to run to Whitby.