- Class: 4MT
- Wheels: 4-6-0
- Built: 1954
- Last Overhaul Completed: 1997
- Last Operational: end of February 2007
- Current Status: Static display, awaiting overhaul
- Owned By: Bluebell Railway
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The Standard 4 tender engines were designed as a modern branch-line engine, capable of hauling both freight and passenger services on the country’s secondary routes. Some, with larger tenders, were allocated to the Southern Region; however No. 75027 is a “foreigner”, although it did work over the Somerset and Dorset when allocated to the WR.
On its withdrawal from service it was one of the very last steam locos operating on British Railways. It was bought from BR by Charlie Pyne, one of our members, and donated by him to the railway. The locomotive appeared to be far larger than was necessary on the Bluebell of the late 1960s, but it soon proved its worth though as we entered the seventies. A relatively modern loco, capable of hauling heavier trains up our 1-in-75 gradients, it was very much appreciated. It remains to this day the ideal locomotive for many of our trains, powerful yet economical, attractive and easy to prepare and maintain.
It has been repainted for static display in the locomotive shed, and is one of several larger locomotives which should be overhauled in the next few years.
