45110, LMS Stanier Black Five (Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway)

Running number (BR/operator)	45110
Works number	Vulcan Foundry, 1935
Name	RAF Biggin Hill
Locomotive class	LMS Stanier Black Five
Power type	Steam
Current location	Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
Owner / preservation society	West Coast Railways
Operating status	Operational; resident at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway on loan. Not main-line certified.
Current livery	BR Locomotive Green

Vulcan Foundry, 1935, a preserved LMS Stanier Black Five locomotive built in 1934. Withdrawn from British Railways service in 1968. Acquired for preservation in 1968.

45110 was one of the two LMS Black Fives that worked the celebrated Fifteen Guinea Special of 11 August 1968, the official end of BR main-line steam, sharing duty with 44871 (outward leg) and 70013 Oliver Cromwell (central main-line section). Withdrawn from Lostock Hall the same month and acquired immediately for preservation, the engine was carried the name "RAF Biggin Hill" in honour of the Battle of Britain station.

Owned by West Coast Railways and currently resident at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway on loan. Not main-line certified.

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

45110 was one of the two LMS Black Fives that worked the celebrated Fifteen Guinea Special of 11 August 1968, the official end of BR main-line steam, sharing duty with 44871 (outward leg) and 70013 Oliver Cromwell (central main-line section). Withdrawn from Lostock Hall the same month and acquired immediately for preservation, the engine carried the name "RAF Biggin Hill" in honour of the Battle of Britain station.

In preservation 45110 was for many years based at the Severn Valley Railway. It left the SVR in August 2023 and moved to Carnforth. It returned to steam in 2026 and made its first passenger runs in several years at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's Cotswold Festival of Steam, after which owner West Coast Railways agreed an extended stay of a further six months at the GWSR (announced May 2026). It is not currently main-line certified.

Photographs

Videos

Gloucestershire and Warwickshire railway 45110 Toddington moves off light locomotive.

by steven Dyer

11 August 2026

Other survivors of this class

44806North Yorkshire Moors Railway — 44806, privately owned. Based at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Restricted to running between Grosmont and Whitby pending completion of AWS and GSM-R fitment for the Whitby branch. Made its main-line running debut in November 2025.
44871East Lancashire Railway — 44871, Riley & Son (E) Ltd, Bury. Main-line certified. One of the four locomotives that hauled the Fifteen Guinea Special on 11 August 1968. Frequently used on charter trains and Polar Express services.
44901 — 44901, privately owned. Under restoration from Barry Scrapyard condition; not yet steamed in preservation.
44932Carnforth (West Coast Railway Company) — 44932, a Stanier Black Five owned and operated by the West Coast Railway Company and based at its Carnforth depot. Maintained to main-line standards, it works railtours on the national network and regularly visits heritage railways, having spent time on loan to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway before returning to Carnforth.
45000National Railway Museum, York — 45000 (LMS 5000), National Collection. Static display at the National Railway Museum, York. Was operational on heritage railways and the main line in earlier preservation; based at the Severn Valley Railway 1977–1991.
45025Strathspey Railway — 45025, privately owned, the oldest preserved Black Five (built 1934). Heritage-railway use only.
45163East Lancashire Railway — 45163, a Stanier Black Five rescued from Barry scrapyard and owned by 45163 Ltd. It is under a fast-track restoration to main-line condition at Riley & Son (E) Ltd, Bury, on the East Lancashire Railway, under a 25-year agreement at the end of which the locomotive returns to its owners in working order. Frame repairs are complete and the locomotive has been re-wheeled.
45212East Lancashire Railway — 45212, a Stanier Black Five on long-term hire to Riley & Son (E) Ltd at Bury, on the East Lancashire Railway. Since returning to the main line in 2016 it has worked the Jacobite for West Coast Railways and Steam Dreams' London Christmas programme, as well as seeing regular use on the East Lancashire Railway. It was withdrawn from traffic in November 2025 and is stored awaiting overhaul.
45231 Sherwood ForesterCarnforth (West Coast Railway Company) — 45231 The Sherwood Forester, West Coast Railways. Boiler certificate expired in January 2024; awaiting overhaul.
45293Colne Valley Railway — 45293, one of six Black Fives rescued from Woodham Brothers at Barry. Last confirmed at the Colne Valley Railway as of August 2026.
45305 Alderman A. E. DraperGreat Central Railway (heritage) — 45305 Alderman A. E. Draper, Great Central Railway. Under overhaul; intended to return to main-line use.
45337East Lancashire Railway — 45337, privately owned. Under overhaul at the East Lancashire Railway.