CREWE-based ‘Black Five’ No. 45231 The Sherwood Forester will be one of the star attractions at the Severn Valley Railway’s (SVR) Last Days of Steam event on August 4, exactly 50 years on from
British Rail’s last timetabled steam-hauled main line service.

The event is being hailed as a commemoration of steam’s final fling, featuring 1968-surviving locos in action and on display, shed staff reunions, a book launch, 1960s catering and music, and classic car displays.No. 45231 will be visiting courtesy of Jeremy Hosking/Icons of Steam in order to provide the SVR with an authentic flavour of BR steam’s finale.

During the day the loco will work re-creations of the ‘Belfast Boat Express’ and of course the ‘Fifteen Guinea Special’, which officially brought the curtain down on steam on August 11, 1968.

Making a rare appearance away from the Engine House at Highley will be the SVR’s Stanier ‘8F’ No. 48733, which was one of the locos in action on August 4, 1968.

The 2-8-0, together with ‘Black Five’ No. 44781, worked the Blackburn to Carnforth leg of the Locomotive Club of Great Britain’s ‘Farewell to Steam Railtour’ (1Z74) from London, a train that featured, among others, ‘Britannia’ No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell.

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