The Severn Valley Railway and the Stanier Mogul Fund have announced that Stanier Mogul LMS No 13268 is to return to main line service later this year under a new arrangement with Vintage Trains, based at Tyseley in Birmingham.
The arrangement will see the popular locomotive hauling main line rail tours once again, alongside its ongoing appearances at the SVR.
Built in January 1934, the locomotive originally entered service as No 13268 before being renumbered 2968 the following year. Following the nationalisation of Britain’s railways in 1948, it became No 42968. At the end of its British Railways career, it was sent to Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry, where it survived as the only remaining example of its class.
The Stanier Mogul Fund was established in 1971 with the aim of preserving the locomotive. It was purchased in 1973 and moved to Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley line. Following restoration, it returned to steam in 1990 and entered passenger service the following year.
Apart from periods out of traffic for overhaul, the locomotive gave many years of sterling service until 2013, including hauling prestigious main line rail tours. During that time, it carried both the 2968 and 42968 identities and earned the nickname ‘the Mighty Mogul’. After its most recent overhaul, it returned to traffic in 2023 temporarily as 2968 before emerging from the SVR’s paint shop in April 2024 carrying its original LMS number, 13268, for the first time in more than 80 years.
Gus Dunster, chief executive officer of the Severn Valley Railway, said:
“It’s going to be fantastic to see 13268 back out on the national network, hauling prestigious main line rail tours once again. It’s a striking locomotive that’s hugely popular with our visitors and has become a stalwart of both our regular services and special events.
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Vintage Trains and the Stanier Mogul Fund to make this happen. This collaboration ensures the locomotive can continue to delight passengers both on the Severn Valley Railway and on the national network, giving even more people the opportunity to experience this remarkable survivor in action.”
Peter Holder, chair of the Stanier Mogul Fund Limited said:
“Everyone involved with the Stanier Mogul Fund is immensely proud to see 13268 returning to the national network. Our founders rescued this locomotive from Barry over 50 years ago, and generations of members, volunteers and supporters have worked tirelessly to ensure that the sole surviving Stanier Mogul remains an operational ambassador for Britain’s railway heritage. Seeing the locomotive back on the main line is another significant milestone in its remarkable preservation story, and we’re grateful to both the Severn Valley Railway and Vintage Trains for working with us to make this possible.”
Nick Ralls, managing director at Vintage Trains said:
“We’re delighted to welcome 13268 into the Vintage Trains fleet. It’s a locomotive with tremendous character and historical significance, and we know our passengers and enthusiasts alike will be excited by the opportunity to travel behind the only surviving Stanier Mogul. We look forward to working closely with the Severn Valley Railway and the Stanier Mogul Fund to showcase this magnificent engine on a programme of memorable rail tours.
“Subject to all the usual caveats, we’re planning for the Stanier Mogul to haul the Worcester Shakespeare Express on Sunday 8 November.”
Until 13268’s first appearance on the main line, visitors will continue to be able to enjoy the locomotive in service on the Severn Valley Railway as part of its operating fleet.