MYSTERY surrounds the identity of the new owner of LMS‘Black Five’No. 45110 – although reports suggest it has relocated to the North West of England.
The sale of the out-of-ticket 4-6-0 was announced by the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) on August 16, the day after the loco departed the line.
“We know that some people may be upset that this particular locomotive has left the SVR,” said Chris Walton, the chairman of SVR (Holdings) Plc.
“However, it’s clear that selling it was absolutely the right thing to do. The board believes that it is in the best interests of both the railway and the locomotive itself for us to move No. 45110 on to a new owner.
“This significantly increases the chances of the loco being restored and back in steam in the near to medium term, and of course the funds we have received will help a great deal to improve the SVR’s financial position, as we plan for 2024, in the expectation that this will also be a challenging year.
“The loco left the SVR by road
