Active Mainline Steam Locomotives

[Steam4Max]

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

I did think about it and wasn’t sure if I wanted to count them as they are limited to a single section of track.

 

[SECR 65]

I did think about it and wasn’t sure if I wanted to count them as they are limited to a single section of track.

As I understand it, they don't have all of the mainline equipment - only the type of signalling used on that line. They used to be cleared to Battersby but I don't know if they still are.

 

[Steam4Max]

As I understand it, they don't have all of the mainline equipment - only the type of signalling used on that line. They used to be cleared to Battersby but I don't know if they still are.

I’ll leave them off for now, might add them in the future

 

[Steam4Max]

Been keeping my ear to the ground since opening this thread, just seen a post on instagram from Vintage Trains. It confirms 45596 & 7029 under overhaul which we knew, however it does say that 4965 & 5080 are stored waiting for a decision on wether to overhaul or not as both need a lot of work. Apparently a decision will be made after 7029's overhaul.

 

[158760]

As I understand it, they don't have all of the mainline equipment - only the type of signalling used on that line. They used to be cleared to Battersby but I don't know if they still are.

The NYMR don’t have the license to run to Battersby anymore. I believe it would have involved the fitment of CDL to their stock to be able to fit into the existing paths, which required 45mph running.

 

[Dave S 56F]

Been keeping my ear to the ground since opening this thread, just seen a post on instagram from Vintage Trains. It confirms 45596 & 7029 under overhaul which we knew, however it does say that 4965 & 5080 are stored waiting for a decision on wether to overhaul or not as both need a lot of work. Apparently a decision will be made after 7029's overhaul.

What I can say about 5080 it had a new tender tank fabricated for it 3 year or so ago I seem to remember reading about on rail advent whilst raising the funds to restore 5080 boiler at £300,000 needed. Some funds for 4965 Rood Ashton Hall overhaul had to be spent to fit the carriages with C.D.L.

 

[Steam4Max]

What I can say about 5080 it had a new tender tank fabricated for it 3 year or so ago I seem to remember reading about on rail advent whilst raising the funds to restore 5080 boiler at £300,000 needed. Some funds for 4965 Rood Ashton Hall overhaul had to be spent to fit the carriages with C.D.L.

I can’t remember which of the 2 locos it was on about (might have been both) but I think one of the Halls needed new cylinders cast to get back into gauge. Obviously a huge cost, I reckon if they turn 7029 around quite quickly, they might be able to put some money into one of the Halls before the next cycle of overhauling the Castles.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 May 2026 ==

45110 has been changed to “Testing” as it’s just been announced as a guest at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire steam gala… so I would assume it’s doing something resembling testing before mainline use. (As per any additional info or corrections are welcome)

 

[Dave S 56F]

I can’t remember which of the 2 locos it was on about (might have been both) but I think one of the Halls needed new cylinders cast to get back into gauge. Obviously a huge cost, I reckon if they turn 7029 around quite quickly, they might be able to put some money into one of the Halls before the next cycle of overhauling the Castles.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 May 2026 ==

45110 has been changed to “Testing” as it’s just been announced as a guest at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire steam gala… so I would assume it’s doing something resembling testing before mainline use. (As per any additional info or corrections are welcome)

The nearest mainline Hall to completion of its overhaul been repaired what 84E Tyseley is at Minehead 4936 Kinlet hall owned by the chairman of the West somerset railway Johnathan Jones Pratt 45110 isent ready yet for mainline running as its not kitted out with A.W.S. T.P.W.S. O.T.M.R. systems and thus not airbraked unless someone at west coast is planning on fitting it with the signalling electrical safety equipment depending on if funding is there.
And if 10A are equipping their M.K. 1 carriage sets out with C.D.L. that could be 6 mainline black 5,s 3 belonging to ian riley 45212 44871 45407 45163 under overhaul and 44932 45110 W.C.R. in the near future on the Jacobites and R.T.C. tours Halls like you say are very restricted to where they can go due to gauging. I dident hear that though that 4965 Rood Ashdon hall was having smaller cylinders sure your not thinking of 6024 King Edward I ?

 

[Rail Ranger]

Rail Advent piece about 45110 arriving at Toddington for the Cotswold Festival of Steam: 'Fifteen Guinea Special' steam locomotive confirmed for Cotswold Festival of Steam! https://share.google/lfy4nQGHeMg1WACHo
It has not been fitted with air brake equipment during its overhaul at Carnforth.

 

[Wyrleybart]

The nearest mainline Hall to completion of its overhaul been repaired what 84E Tyseley is at Minehead 4936 Kinlet hall owned by the chairman of the West somerset railway Johnathan Jones Pratt

45110 isent ready yet for mainline running as its not kitted out with A.W.S. T.P.W.S. O.T.M.R. systems and thus not airbraked unless someone at west coast is planning on fitting it with the signalling electrical safety equipment depending on if funding is there.

With respect, 45110 would only need airbrakes if it's owner wanted to fit it. A WCR owned steam loco has not been to Mallaig since 2006 - twenty years ago. 44932 is a WCR owned black five and is cleared for Network Rail Ops, so provided 45110 has TPWS and OTDR it can do what 44932 does - operate privately on the mainline.

And if 10A are equipping their M.K. 1 carriage sets out with C.D.L. that could be 6 mainline black 5,s 3 belonging to ian riley 45212 44871 45407 45163 under overhaul and 44932 45110 W.C.R. in the near future on the Jacobites and R.T.C.

I understand Ian Riley has an agreement with the owners of 45163 to restore and operate it, and bits of it are already being worked on. I am assuming it will receive air brakes like 4871 5212 and 5407

 

[Steam4Max]

The nearest mainline Hall to completion of its overhaul been repaired what 84E Tyseley is at Minehead 4936 Kinlet hall owned by the chairman of the West somerset railway Johnathan Jones Pratt 45110 isent ready yet for mainline running as its not kitted out with A.W.S. T.P.W.S. O.T.M.R. systems and thus not airbraked unless someone at west coast is planning on fitting it with the signalling electrical safety equipment depending on if funding is there.
And if 10A are equipping their M.K. 1 carriage sets out with C.D.L. that could be 6 mainline black 5,s 3 belonging to ian riley 45212 44871 45407 45163 under overhaul and 44932 45110 W.C.R. in the near future on the Jacobites and R.T.C. tours Halls like you say are very restricted to where they can go due to gauging. I dident hear that though that 4965 Rood Ashdon hall was having smaller cylinders sure your not thinking of 6024 King Edward I ?

I know 45110 isn’t ready for mainline completly yet, which is why I’ve just got it as testing, if it changes that it’s not due to go back on the mainline then I’ll remove it from the list but as far as I was aware it is planned to (Obviously baring the whole MK1 thing in mind). I’m not 100% what the exact plan is with the Halls, I was just relaying what I saw.

With respect, 45110 would only need airbrakes if it's owner wanted to fit it. A WCR owned steam loco has not been to Mallaig since 2006 - twenty years ago. 44932 is a WCR owned black five and is cleared for Network Rail Ops, so provided 45110 has TPWS and OTDR it can do what 44932 does - operate privately on the mainline.

I understand Ian Riley has an agreement with the owners of 45163 to restore and operate it, and bits of it are already being worked on. I am assuming it will receive air brakes like 4871 5212 and 5407

Yes 45163 is being worked on, I believe the plan is to have it back next year.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 May 2026 ==

6024 back on test again today, not sure how it went but I would imagine the locomotive will be in full service again by the end of summer if we are lucky.

Ive also updated:

35018 BIL is "Awaiting Overhaul" as I've seen in several places that its believed the ticket expired end of last year/beginning of this (Again if im wrong let me know)
48151 a note saying "Rumoured to be complete" which speaks for itself, I have heard this from a couple of sources but yet to be confirmed

As per any update or extra information please let me know

 

[Steam4Max]

Just seen a post on Facebook appearing to show 48151 in steam outside the shed at Carnforth today, can anybody verify? I know several posts sometimes go around claiming to be current but are actually from years ago, this one does seem legit however?

 

[37069]

By all accounts, 48151 seems to be ready for a test run and has been for some time.

 

[Steam4Max]

By all accounts, 48151 seems to be ready for a test run and has been for some time.

I do wonder if the overhaul has been complete for a while and they have just been waiting to do the steam tests until the use of MK1s is a bit closer, as it really wouldn’t make sense for the 10 years to be ticking down for absolutely no reason. The vac locos that were already in ticket fair enough... but putting newly overhauled back in with no chance of pulling trains is kinda silly.

Or I might just be overthinking it...

 

[Wyrleybart]

I do wonder if the overhaul has been complete for a while and they have just been waiting to do the steam tests until the use of MK1s is a bit closer, as it really wouldn’t make sense for the 10 years to be ticking down for absolutely no reason. The vac locos that were already in ticket fair enough... but putting newly overhauled back in with no chance of pulling trains is kinda silly.

Or I might just be overthinking it...

Do you think WCRC have fitted CDL to some vac fitted Mk1s then ?
You can have the benefit of the doubt but... both sets of Jacobite stock are now on the West Highland, and both are air braked rakes mostly Mk2s. The "2nd set"is formed of a Mk BCK, a Mk1 RMB sandwiching Mk2fs albeit with four of the vehicles have "openable windows".

The last time a WCR steam loco worked the Jacobite was in 2006 when 48151 worked the service. Since then it has been dual braked black fives, and since 2024 it has to be CDL fitted stock per ORR. Maybe WCR are fitting CDL compatible with vacuum brakes, but I believe vac CDL and air CDL are two separate systems on coaching stock.

Don't forget Carnforth have just outshopped 45110 as a vacuum braked loco, so along with all other Carnforth steam locos except "Tangmere" it cannot work public passenger trains for WCR - unles they are actually fitting vac CDL to their Mk1s.

 

[Steam4Max]

Do you think WCRC have fitted CDL to some vac fitted Mk1s then ?
You can have the benefit of the doubt but... both sets of Jacobite stock are now on the West Highland, and both are air braked rakes mostly Mk2s. The "2nd set"is formed of a Mk BCK, a Mk1 RMB sandwiching Mk2fs albeit with four of the vehicles have "openable windows".

The last time a WCR steam loco worked the Jacobite was in 2006 when 48151 worked the service. Since then it has been dual braked black fives, and since 2024 it has to be CDL fitted stock per ORR. Maybe WCR are fitting CDL compatible with vacuum brakes, but I believe vac CDL and air CDL are two separate systems on coaching stock.

Don't forget Carnforth have just outshopped 45110 as a vacuum braked loco, so along with all other Carnforth steam locos except "Tangmere" it cannot work public passenger trains for WCR - unles they are actually fitting vac CDL to their Mk1s.

I think they have publicly committed to fitting their MK1s with CDL we just don’t know the time frame.

I wasn’t sure if they might keep the first MK1 rake down south, my thinking being if they are going to run the Jacobite with 2 black 5’s anyway, then may as well use the air braked stock with Riley’s up there. That then give you much more flexibility with locomotives in England and Wales? Just a thought though, because on the other hand I would think they would want the MK1s on the Jacobite for the full ‘Harry Potter’ experience.

Honestly it’s all speculation at this point, I just find it weird that they would steam test 48151 and start the ticket ticking down if they didn’t have plans to start using it in the not too distant future.

 

[Dave S 56F]

I think they have publicly committed to fitting their MK1s with CDL we just don’t know the time frame.

I wasn’t sure if they might keep the first MK1 rake down south, my thinking being if they are going to run the Jacobite with 2 black 5’s anyway, then may as well use the air braked stock with Riley’s up there. That then give you much more flexibility with locomotives in England and Wales? Just a thought though, because on the other hand I would think they would want the MK1s on the Jacobite for the full ‘Harry Potter’ experience.

Honestly it’s all speculation at this point, I just find it weird that they would steam test 48151 and start the ticket ticking down if they didn’t have plans to start using it in the not too distant future.

8F 48151 Heritage railway branch line workings short term loans like what happened with 44932 or the eventual fitment of the W.C.R. dual braked m.k. 1 stock possibly ready for later this year or next year 2027 as this for the m.k.2 open stock possibly there w.c.r. are hoping 45163 will be oven ready next year air brake fitted and all.

 

[xotGD]

8F 48151 Heritage railway branch line workings short term loans like what happened with 44932 or the eventual fitment of the W.C.R. dual braked m.k. 1 stock possibly ready for later this year or next year 2027 as this for the m.k.2 open stock possibly there w.c.r. are hoping 45163 will be oven ready next year air brake fitted and all.

The 8F spending the winter season at the KWVR would be very nice.

 

[HertiageFan]

The 8F spending the winter season at the KWVR would be very nice.

I second that

 

[Steam4Max]

I believe 8F 48151 is undergoing a test run today to Hellifield today.

5M50 Outbound and 5M51 return.

 

[Dave S 56F]

I believe 8F 48151 is undergoing a test run today to Hellifield today.

5M50 Outbound and 5M51 return.

Successfully as well by the looks of unofficial west coast railways facebook page and light engine and test runs threads on national preservation forum.
Big question now though air brake equipped or just a standard light test run in vacuum brake mode still in belief we may still see mk 1 carriages C.D.L. retrofitted?

 

[Steam4Max]

Coming as a huge surprise to us on the platform at York it seems 7029 Clun Castle is back from overhaul. We were all expecting Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe.

My Photo of Clun Castle at York:

 

[Steam4Max]

45231 ‘Sherwood Forester’ is confirmed to be under overhaul by LSL with the boiler being lifted at Crewe.

(Image shows Facebook post from Locomotive Services Group confirming the boiler has been lifted on 45231.)

 

[Steam4Max]

SVR resident Stanier Mogul 13268 to return to the main line with Vintage Trains (Link to SVR article)

Being reported that 13268 is returning to the mainline with Vintage Trains later this year and very nice to see another loco back on the mainline! I’ll add it to the list as (Proposed) as I still imagine there is some work to go first. If anyone could let me know when it’s most recent ticket started that would be great

(Edit: I’ve actually read the article and seen it returned 2023… I’m just stupid)

 

[kje7812]

SVR resident Stanier Mogul 13268 to return to the main line with Vintage Trains (Link to SVR article)

Being reported that 13268 is returning to the mainline with Vintage Trains later this year and very nice to see another loco back on the mainline! I’ll add it to the list as (Proposed) as I still imagine there is some work to go first. If anyone could let me know when it’s most recent ticket started that would be great

Hydraulic test was May 2023, steam test was June 2023.

 

[Steam4Max]

Hydraulic test was May 2023, steam test was June 2023.

Thank you very much

 

[HertiageFan]

Just to add some details, 44871 has work done (or an overhaul) during winter maintenance every year, which resets its ticket, similar to 45407

 

[Steam4Max]

Just to add some details, 44871 has work done (or an overhaul) during winter maintenance every year, which resets its ticket, similar to 45407

Oh really? I knew that they had quite extensive maintenance but I didn’t realise it reset the ticket.

 

[HertiageFan]

Oh really? I knew that they had quite extensive maintenance but I didn’t realise it reset the ticket.

I believe so, they are very thorough

 

[Harvester]

Oh really? I knew that they had quite extensive maintenance but I didn’t realise it reset the ticket.

I was under the impression boiler tickets were issued for fixed periods, 7 years for mainline operations and 10 years for heritage lines, and that these are absolute limits that cannot be extended or reset. After expiry only a new or completely reconditioned boiler would qualify for a new certificate.