48305, LMS Stanier 8F (Great Central Railway)

Running number (BR/operator)	48305
Works number	Crewe, 1943
Locomotive class	LMS Stanier 8F
Current location	Great Central Railway (heritage)
Owner / preservation society	Private
Operating status	Heritage railway service / cycles
Current livery	BR unlined black
Withdrawn from BR	1968
Preservation date	1969
Year built	1943

A preserved LMS Stanier 8F 2-8-0 heavy freight locomotive, built at Crewe Works in 1943 under the wartime production programme. Withdrawn from British Railways service in September 1968. Preserved in 1969 and based at the Great Central Railway, Loughborough.

Last recorded as based at the Great Central Railway, Loughborough. Operating status: Heritage railway service / cycles. Current livery: BR unlined black.

Location, livery and operating status last confirmed pre-2024 and subject to change. Check with the owning organisation or heritage railway for current information.

Notable history

48305 was completed at Crewe Works in 1943 as part of the wartime build of LMS Stanier 8Fs. Withdrawn at the very end of BR steam in September 1968, the engine was acquired for preservation and currently works on the GCR's twin-track heritage main line, uniquely suited to demonstrating Edwardian and BR-era heavy-freight working at heritage scale.