LMS Route: Rugby to Tamworth

Trent Valley Lineside - Newbold on Avon: lnwr_nupa1175

LMS 5MT 4-6-0 'Stanier Black 5' No 5374 pilots LMS 5XP 4-6-0 Jubilee class No 5733 ' Novelty' as the latter picks up water at Newbold Troughs whilst at the head of an up express in August 1939. Built by Armstrong Whitworth in June 1937 No 5374 remained in service until October 1967, the penultimate year of mainline steam in Britain, when she was withdrawn from Carnforth shed to be scrapped in May 1968 by J McWilliam & Sons of Shettleston. Despite being built by Crewe works only seven months previous in November 1936, No 5733 did not last as long in service being retired in August 1964 when withdrawn from Crewe North shed to be scrapped in January 1965 by J Cashmore of Great Bridge.

The name 'Novelty' had historic connections with railways as an 0-2-2WT built by John Ericsson and John Braithwaite to took part in the Rainhill Trials held on the Manchester to Liverpool line in October 1829. Now regarded as the very first tank engine Novelty was an early steam locomotive It had a unique design of boiler and a number of other novel design features (perhaps explaining the choice of name). Unfortunately, several of the major components had significant design weaknesses which ultimately resulted in its failure at the Trials. The name was also applied by the LNWR to No 1682 which was built 1868 and rebuilt June 1892 as a Precedent class locomotive. On the withdrawal of No 1682 the name was initially allocated to a new Royal Scot Class No 6127 but with decision to name the class after famous British Regiments, it was later renamed ' Old Contemptibles'.

back