5551 'The Unknown Warrior' Moves to West Shed

The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust, who were awarded the contract in July to complete the assembly of 5551, welcomed 'The Unknown Warrior' into its West Shed workshops on a fine August summers' night. 5551 is now sharing shed space with LMS Princess Royal Class Pacific locomotive no. 46203 'Princess Margaret Rose' and will also rub shoulders with the PRCLT's other Stanier Pacific no. 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' when it returns for maintenance from its mainline railtour duties.

Construction of 5551 'The Unknown Warrior' began in March 2009 at the Llangollen Railway, and visits to other engineering workshops have included Tyseley Loco Works and Crewe Heritage Centre. 

West Shed is just under 15 miles from Derby where the 'Patriot' class were designed at the Locomotive Works under the supervision of Sir Henry Fowler who was CME of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway between 1925 and 1933.

5551 is expected now to be steamed for the first time at the Midland Railway - Butterley after construction is completed next year.

To help finish 'The Unknown Warrior', please click Here.