BR standard class 5 73096
Encyclopedia
BR standard class 5
The British Railways Standard Class 5MT 4-6-0 was one of the standard classes of steam locomotives built by British Railways in the 1950s. 172 were built, essentially being a development of the LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 .- Background :...
No. 73096 is a preserved British steam locomotive. Unnamed in service, it is now operated by the Mid-Hants Railway on the Watercress Line
Watercress Line
The Watercress Line is the marketing name of the Mid-Hants Railway, a heritage railway in Hampshire, England, running from New Alresford to Alton where it connects to the National Rail network. The line gained its popular name in the days that it was used to transport locally grown watercress to...
between Alresford and Alton.
In its new lease of life as a tourist attraction, 73096 has been temporarily disguised as 73080 Merlin and as 73054, for special events and commemorations.
Locomotive History
73096 was built at the Derby WorksDerby Works
The Midland Railway Locomotive Works, known locally as "the loco" comprised a number of British manufacturing facilities in Derby building locomotives and, initially, rolling stock in Derby, UK.-Early days:...
in November 1955 and was used on the London Midland
London Midland Region of British Railways
The London Midland Region was one of the six regions created on the formation of the nationalised British Railways and consisted of ex-London, Midland and Scottish Railway lines in England and Wales. The region was managed first from buildings adjacent to Euston Station and later from Stanier...
and Western
Western Region of British Railways
The Western Region was a region of British Railways from 1948. The region ceased to be an operating unit in its own right in the 1980s and was wound up at the end of 1992...
Regions of British Railways. It was withdrawn from service in November 1967.
Preservation
Rescued from the scrapyard in July 1985, 73096 was returned to service in October 1993, following major boiler overhaul and the construction of a new tender, based on the chassis from a Jubilee class tender.73096's boiler certificate expired in September 2011 and has now been withdrawn from service.
Cylinder failure
This engine suffered over £200,000 worth of damages during the 14 March 2009 Spring Steam Gala Services on the Mid Hants Railway. Whilst on the first Alresford to Alton service of the day, 73096 suffered major damage to its left-hand (driver's-side) cylinder, at Wander's Curve in the Ropley to Medstead section, about ¾ of a mile from Ropley station. It is thought a piston coreplug worked loose thus causing much damage to the cylinder covers, cylinder, piston and piston-rod plus other equipment in the area. There is no evidence that this was caused by primingPriming (steam engine)
Priming is a condition in the boiler of a steam engine in which water is carried over into the steam delivery. It may be caused by impurities in the water, which foams up as it boils, or simply too high a water level...
(water in the cylinders, which can cause similar catastrophic failures) and, currently (March 2009), the crew are absolved of any blame.
No damage was done to the track or signalling but No. 73096 blocked the line for some time. Shuttle services were quickly organised between Alresford and Ropley and between Alton and Medstead, until the line could be cleared. Parts of the steam locomotive's 'motion' (connecting rod, valve gear linkages etc.) on the driver's side had to be removed by MPD
Motive power depot
Motive power depot, usually abbreviated to MPD, is a name given to places where locomotives are stored when not being used, and also repaired and maintained. They were originally known as "running sheds", "engine sheds", or, for short, just sheds. Facilities are provided for refuelling and...
staff to allow the locomotive to be moved. As the 5MT was unable to move under its own power, a diesel locomotive was dispatched from Ropley engine shed to retrieve it. The Gala thereafter continued with a revised timetable.
A replacement cylinder casting was required, necessitating a new pattern made. As of the week commencing 9 August 2010, the locomotive was running again, hauling services on the line during the 'Day Out With Thomas' event.