The 5305 Locomotive Association has issued an update on progress in the overhaul of LMS Black Five No. 45305.

All the boiler cladding and lagging have been removed so that the boiler can be inspected, cleaned and prepared for a visit by a Boiler Inspector to determine the extent of further work required.

Other parts have been dismantled and cleaned for storage while the locomotive’s frames are cleaned and prepared for painting with an undercoat and a top coat. Although good progress has been made, the association is always looking for new volunteers to get involved and speed up progress.

This weekend from today, Friday, 26 to Sunday, 28 January, the Great Central Railway is holding its Winter Steam Gala when six home fleet locomotives the North Eastern Railway Autocar and Derby Lightweight Iris will be boosted by visiting locomotives BR Standard Class No. 75069 and Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway A Class No. 53233.

Provided there are volunteers available, the 5305 Locomotive Association’s stand and/or shed shop will be open over the weekend, when there will be the chance to chat with some of the existing volunteers, find out more about the group, and purchase a selection of new and second-hand merchandise.

A range of items is also available at the online shop at https://5305.onlineweb.shop/ or https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/5305-rob…

If anyone would like to join an established heritage locomotive preservation group, either with an interest in steam, diesel, or public-facing roles with a sales team, the association would be pleased to hear from them online at https://www.sirlamiel.org.uk/volunteering/ or by email at [email protected].

The association is also involved in overhauling Southern Railway King Arthur Class No. 30777 Sir Lamiel 2024. It hopes to progress Sir Lamiel’s overhaul sufficiently so that it can be steamed for its 100th anniversary in 2025. It has set up a ‘Knights of the Round Table’ appeal at https://www.sirlamiel.org.uk/knights-of-the-round-table/.

Support of the association can also be made through monthly or one-off donations, or by joining the 5305 Locomotive Association to help towards the overhaul of 45305, 30777 Sir Lamiel, as well as the maintenance of the association’s diesel locomotives D123 and D6535. Further details can be found at
https://www.sirlamiel.org.uk/monthly-donations/, https://5305.onlineweb.shop/product/membership, https://www.5305la.org.uk/, or https://www.sirlamiel.org.uk/.