Unfortunately that’s all we have in this section for now, so before you continue on to the next page, please do consider the following.

What you have just been reading is, of course, only a small part of the story of Lostock Hall MPD ….  all of it  having been gratefully received from the mere handful of contributors who have so generously assisted us to-date.  

There are obviously many more stories out there just waiting to be told … only these haven’t as yet been passed on to us!  Therefore, in order to start filling-in many of the missing pieces in the, still very incomplete, jigsaw, please do now consider making a contribution of your own.  tems of information and scanned photographs would be most welcomed.

NOTE:  All information contained within these pages is original material - prepared specifically for the Lostock Hall MPD Website (www.LostockHallMPD.org.uk) and which remains strictly the express COPYRIGHT of the website administrators. Likewise, all photographs used remain the COPYRIGHT of the photographers identified. No item must be reproduced, or quoted from (in whole or even in part), in the absence of express prior permission being granted.  (Please refer to the “Get In Touch” page in order to obtain the contact addresses of the administrative team.)

The 40th Anniversary Re-run of the SVRs first public working occurred on 23 May 2010. With original loco No 3205 now back at its former home on the South Devon Railway, Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 No 43106 was an appropriate substitute, particularly as John Hill - 3205’s driver in 1970 - was present on the footplate 40 years on and the former 31D Kings Lynn and 10D Lostock Hall ‘Flying Pig’ did haul the third departure ex-Bridgnorth on that inaugural day.

Exactly 40 years on, with the 14-00 Bridgnorth - Kidderminster train seen crossing Oldbury Viaduct, carrying specially-invited guests and representatives of the railway press.

Former 10D Stanier Class Five 4-6-0 No 44806 heads a Llangollen Railway demonstration freight train near Glyndyfrwdwy on 24th April 2009.

Preservation came in 1968, with the end of steam on British Rail, when enthusiast Ken Aldcroft decided that he wanted to preserve a locomotive. It moved from Lostock Hall on 7th Jan 1969 to Carnforth, later to become 'Steamtown', for a couple of years, having been purchased direct from BR in working order, its last BR duty was as Preston Station pilot. A move on to Accrington came on 3rd April 1970 where it was stored in the former motive power depot for a year. It was the star attraction at the first open day of the East Lancashire Railway, travelling under its own power to Helmshore and back for the August Bank Holiday open weekend.

44806 moved from Acrington to Haverthwaite on 26th November 1970 behind D7637, two days before the Lakeside Branch connection at Plumpton Junction was lifted. It starred at the opening of the Lakeside Railway in 1973 and in May 1974 was named ‘Magpie’ after the children’s TV programme. In August 1974, whilst working on the LHR, it sustained a crack on the outer firebox, which was, at that time, un-repairable at Lakeside. So, on 9th November, 44806 was taken by road to Ulverston and then tripped to Southport by D339 to join Derek Foster’s 76079, but restoration failed to materialise. Another move, in 1983, was made to the Greater Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, where it was entombed as a static exhibit for ten years.

Following agreement with its owner, 44806 moved to Llangollen on 26th February 1993, enabling work to restart; interestingly it was then reunited with its Steamport shed mates 7298 and 76079. Having never been to Barry, it came as a virtually complete kit of parts, making restoration rather less complicated and expensive than many other engines. The boiler was removed and repaired during 1993, and the motion was found to be in generally very good order. The tender tank was repaired off-site, and a crack in the frames required repair. Reassembly came in late 1994, followed by attention to numerous smaller items. The first lighting up was on 15th September 1995, with trial runs following, and the loco played a major part in the Santa specials that year. Since then it has variously appeared as either 4806 or 44806.

Page still under construction - further donations of interesting new pictures will always be welcomed!