BR standard class 5 73129

British Railways standard class 5 No. 73129 is a preserved British steam locomotive. It is the only surviving Standard Class 5 built by British Railways which was fitted with Caprotti valve gear.

Locomotive History

73129 was outshopped from Derby Works in August 1956. It was one of 30 built fitted with Caprotti valve gear. Originally allocated at Shrewsbury Shed (which required the fitting of GWR style lamp brackets), it was later transferred to Patricroft Shed (near Manchester) in 1958. It spent the rest of its working life there until it was stored at Patricroft from June to November 1967. It was officially withdrawn from traffic on 2nd December 1967.

During 73129's working life, it covered roughly 198,359 miles - the majority in 1957 with 35,814 miles that year.

Barry Scrapyard

In February 1968, 73129 was sent to the infamous Woodhams' Scrapyard at Barry in Wales.

In 1972, 73129 was purchased by the Midland Railway Project Group. Preparation work for the locomotives transportation to Butterley was undertaken at Woodhams' Scrapyard with small working parties. As well as this many spare parts were acquired from other locomotives, especially 73129's neighbour at Barry, 73096, which is now preserved. Parts were also taken from the only other remaining Caprotti valve geared locomotive at Woodhams' Scrapyard, 71000 "Duke of Gloucester" which is also, now preserved.

Whilst in Woodhams' Scrapyard the original BR1B tender (1417) was sold to a steel works for conversion into an ingot carrier. 73129 currently has tender number 1043. It is of the same BR1B type, but has no water pick-up apparatus, as it was from a Southern Region based engine 75079 and there was no need for the apparatus.

Transportation to Butterley

On the 6th January 1973 a convoy from Woodhams' Scrapyard hauled by a British Rail Class 46 number (D)157 took 73129 on part of its journey to Derby Works. The convoy also included 7819 "Hinton Manor", 4141 and 5164, 4930 "Hagley Hall", a Stanier 4000 gallon tender and a brake van.

Assistance out of Woodhams' Scrapyard was given by a Class 37 diesel (or English Electric Type 3 as they were known) 6978. At Kidderminster whilst dropping off the locomotives for the Severn Valley Railway the motive power was changed to a Class 25 (or Sulzer Type 2 7655.

73129 was left at Derby Works as a temporary home. By early 1975, 73129 along with Jinty 16440 (47357) had arrived at Butterley.

Restoration

Preservation

ee also

#73129 [http://www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk/73129/page1.html]