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LNER Thompson Class B1 61264 at Scarborough

61264_1200w.jpg 3.088 Ffestiniog RailwayThumbnailsBR Class 4MT 2-6-4T tank engine 80135 at Whitby3.088 Ffestiniog RailwayThumbnailsBR Class 4MT 2-6-4T tank engine 80135 at Whitby3.088 Ffestiniog RailwayThumbnailsBR Class 4MT 2-6-4T tank engine 80135 at Whitby3.088 Ffestiniog RailwayThumbnailsBR Class 4MT 2-6-4T tank engine 80135 at Whitby3.088 Ffestiniog RailwayThumbnailsBR Class 4MT 2-6-4T tank engine 80135 at Whitby3.088 Ffestiniog RailwayThumbnailsBR Class 4MT 2-6-4T tank engine 80135 at Whitby


LNER Thompson Class B1 61264 at Scarborough on 13 March 2004.

The locomotive was built in 1947 by the North British Locomotive Company and worked the Great Eastern Main Line and from 1948 British Railways. In November 1960 61264 was transferred to Colwick Depot near Nottingham for working the Great Central Main Line where she remained until withdrawn from service in December 1965. however, she wasn't scrapped but used as a mobile boiler for heating carriages. Apparently her couplers were removed to prevent her hauling trains but she could still propel herself! She was finally withdrawn from stock in July 1967 and in March 1968 sold for scrap to Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry Island (the only former LNER locomotive to be sent to Barry.)

The locomotive was rescued from Barry in 1973 for restoration. The boiler and firebox were in such poor condition that a new boiler and firebox seemed necessary, however the original boiler was restored and the completed engine moved under its own power in 1997 in LNER Apple green livery as No. 1264. It is currently in BR Black livery as 61264.

It was withdrawn from service in 2008 for its 10-year overhaul at LNWR Crewe, then moved to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. 61264 returned to the mainline in 2014 with a test run in early January followed by double-heading the 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' from Manchester Victoria to Carlisle with LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 45407.

This is one of two surviving Thompson Class B1s and the only LNER-built example, the other being BR-built 61306 "Mayflower".


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