Steam Locomotive BR 44806 (LMS 4806) Stanier Black Five Class 5MT 4-6-0

Heritage & Preserved Steam Locomotive Engines

Appearing at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) Annual Steam Gala September 2025

[Author © Dr Phil Brown PhD (plus help from AI these days), railway page updated May 11th 2026]

The Stanier 4-6-0 'Black Fives' designed for passenger trains and express freight trains (mixed traffic 5MT rating).

Steam locomotive Stanier Black 5 44806 was built at Derby Works in 1944, 44806 has carried the name MAGPIE.

Steam locomotive 44806 in December 2017 working the afternoon Christmas Moorlander Dining Car special from Grosmont to Pickering on the NYMR

Technical detail specifications of locomotive 44806: Boiler pressure of 44806: 225 lbf/sq.in., Weight of 44806: loco 72.1 tons, tender 53.7 tons, Wheel diameter of 44806: 3' 3½'', 6' 0", Valve gear of 44806: Walschaerts piston valves, Cylinders (diameter x stroke) of 44806: 18½" x 28" (O), Tractive effort of 44806: 25450 lbf., BR Power classification of 44806: Class 5MT

Stanier Black Five steam locomotive descending into Eskdale with an NYMR service from Pickering to Grosmont (March 2017) Diesel 26038 at front!

Stanier Black 5 44806 meets a GWR Castle at the NYMR Autumn Steam Gala 2014

NYMR Spring Steam Gala May 2014: Black 5 44806 all cleaned up and 'polished' for a busy day

 

Shots of when 44806 first arrived on the NYMR

Stanier Black Five 44806 (LMS 4806) at Pickering on the NYMR (Feb 2014). 44806 has been named 'MAGPIE' and 'KENNETH ALDCROFT', but at the moment it doesn't seem to be carrying a nameplate.

Stanier Black 5 5MT steam locomotive 44806 was based on the Llangollen Railway, but now has been purchased by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

In its working life loco 44806 operated from Toton depot, Leicester depot, Nottingham depot, Kentish Town depot, Burton depot, Speke Junction depot and Lostock Hall depot - hence the 10D shed plate.

Stanier Black Five 44806 waits at Grosmont with an NYMR railway service for Pickering (D7628 on the right)

NYMR Spring Steam Gala May 2014: 44806 standing in Grosmont station

NYMR Spring Steam Gala May 2014: above & below, Black 5 44806 emerging from Grosmont Tunnel with a train from Pickering

NYMR Spring Steam Gala May 2014: 44806 bringing the LNER teak carriages into Grosmont with a passenger train from Pickering.

NYMR Spring Steam Gala May 2014: 44806 waiting in Grosmont station.

NYMR Spring Steam Gala May 2014: above & below -  Black Five 44806 running light through Grosmont station

NYMR Spring Steam Gala May 2014:

Stanier Black Five 44806 leaving Grosmont with a train for Pickering at the NYMR Autumn Steam Gala 2014

Black 5 44806 under repair in Grosmont Depot on the NYMR

44806 hauling the NYMR's Moorlander dining train in October 2016.

44806 running as 44776 entering Goathland station with a Pickering-Grosmont train in the NYMR Autumn Welsh Steam Gala 2016

Black Five 44806 at Pickering Station

A full profile of steam locomotive 44806, one of the preserved members of the LMS Stanier Class 5MT “Black Five” series:

Historical Background and Description of 44806

44806 was built at Derby Works in July 1944 as part of the LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 series, designed by Sir William Stanier. Originally numbered 4806 under LMS, it was renumbered 44806 after nationalisation in 1948. The Black Fives were designed as versatile mixed-traffic locomotives, capable of handling both passenger and freight duties across the British railway network.

BR Service History of 44806

• Allocated to several sheds including Toton (18A), Leicester (15C), Nottingham (16A), Kentish Town (14B), Burton (17B), Speke Junction (8C), and finally Lostock Hall (10D).

• Withdrawn in August 1968, making it one of the last steam locomotives to operate under British Railways.

Technical Specifications 44806

Preservation and Heritage Story 44806

• 44806 was preserved directly from BR service and moved to Steamtown Carnforth, avoiding the fate of locomotives sent to Barry Scrapyard.

• Spent time in Accrington, operating excursions to Helmshore, and later moved to the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway in 1973.

• While at Haverthwaite, it was adopted by ITV’s children’s programme Magpie, and temporarily named “Magpie” in a playful rivalry with the BBC’s “Blue Peter” locomotive.

• Later operated on the Llangollen Railway, before arriving at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) in 2013.

• Withdrawn for overhaul in early 2018, and after extensive work at Grosmont, it made its first post-overhaul movements in 2023.

• Currently owned by Peter Best and part of the NYMR home fleet, awaiting full restoration to traffic.

Liveries and Numbers of 44806

The locomotive has retained its BR number 44806 in preservation, though it has occasionally carried its original LMS number 4806 or the name “Magpie” for commemorative purposes.

A brief history of Stanier Black 5 44806

Stanier Black Five No. 44806 — originally LMS 4806, later BR 44806 — is one of the best‑travelled and most characterful survivors of William Stanier’s legendary mixed‑traffic 4‑6‑0s. Built in 1944, it worked across the Midlands and North‑West, survived to the very end of BR steam in 1968, and then enjoyed a long, varied preservation career including a stint as a TV‑named engine: “Magpie.”

Identity and Technical Profile of Stanier Black 5 44806

Designer: William Stanier
Builder: Derby Works
Build date: July 1944
Original number: LMS 4806
BR number: 44806 (from 1948)
Class: Stanier Class 5MT “Black Five”
Current owner: North Yorkshire Moors Railway (privately owned)

Key Specifications

• Wheel arrangement: 4‑6‑0

• Boiler pressure: 225 psi

• Cylinders: 18½" × 28"

• Valve gear: Walschaerts

• Tractive effort: ~25,455 lbf

Working Life of Stanier Black 5 44806 (1944–1968)

Early BR/LMS Allocations

44806 moved frequently between major Midland and North‑West depots, reflecting the Black Fives’ reputation as true “go‑anywhere, do‑anything” locomotives.

Recorded shed allocations of Stanier Black 5 44806 include:

• Toton (18A) — from July 1944

• Leicester (15C) — from April 1948

• Nottingham (16A) — from 1956

• Kentish Town (14B) — late 1956

• Burton (17B) — from 1964

• Speke Junction (8C) — from 1967

• Lostock Hall (10D) — final shed, March 1968

Withdrawal of Stanier Black 5 44806

• Withdrawn: August 1968 — one of the final year’s survivors of BR steam.

Preservation History of Stanier Black 5 44806 (1968–present)

1. Steamtown Carnforth (1968 onwards)

44806 was an early preservation candidate, moving directly from BR to the Steamtown collection at Carnforth.
This spared it the years of decay that affected many Barry scrapyard engines.

2. Accrington & Helmshore (early 1970s)

It spent time based at Accrington, working excursions on the planned preserved line at Helmshore — a precursor to what became the East Lancashire Railway.

3. Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway (1973)

44806 briefly operated here as the line’s only tender engine.

• Difficulties arose due to the lack of a turntable.

• During this period it was adopted by ITV’s children’s programme Magpie, and carried the name “MAGPIE.”

4. Later Preservation Travels

The locomotive moved between several North‑West museums and heritage lines, reflecting its popularity and usefulness.

5. Llangollen Railway → North Yorkshire Moors Railway (2013–present)

44806 was based at the Llangollen Railway before being purchased for the NYMR in 2013.

• Worked NYMR services until early 2018.

• Underwent a major overhaul at Grosmont.

• Made its first post‑overhaul movements in 2023.

Names, Liveries & Cultural Footnotes of Stanier Black 5 44806

Names carried

• MAGPIE — named for the ITV children’s programme during the 1970s.

• KENNETH ALDCROFT — carried at times in preservation (noted in photographic archives).

Liveries

44806 has appeared in standard BR lined black during most of its preservation career, consistent with late‑era Black Fives.

Current Status of Stanier Black 5 44806

• Location: North Yorkshire Moors Railway
• Condition: Operational following overhaul at Grosmont (movements recorded in 2023).

Summary Timeline of Stanier Black 5 44806

Black five 44806 makes me nostalgic for the 1950s and 1960s!

*

A very grubby 'Black Five' steam locomotive, but still working in 1966 !!!

My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s

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SEE ALSO

BR 44767 GEORGE STEPHENSON Locomotive LMS/BR Stanier Black Five

BR 44871 SOVEREIGN Locomotive LMS/BR Stanier Black Five

BR 44932 Steam Locomotive LMS/BR Stanier Black Five

BR 45000 LMS 5000 Locomotive LMS/BR Stanier Black Five

BR 45110 RAF BIGGIN HILL Locomotive LMS/BR Stanier Black Five

BR 45212 ROY 'CORKY' BROWN Locomotive LMS/BR Stanier Black Five

BR 45231 THE SHERWOOD FORESTER Locomotive LMS/BR Stanier Black Five

BR 45305 Locomotive LMS/BR Stanier Black Five

BR 45407 Locomotive THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIER  LMS/BR Stanier Black Five

BR 45428 ERIC TREACY Locomotive LMS/BR Stanier Black Five

BR 45491 Locomotive LMS/BR Stanier Black Five

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IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES