This model of the LMS Black Five was built by the late Dennis Martin and shown at the London Exhibition in 2015. It is to the Doris design by LBSC from Kennions and depicts the first Stanier Class 5 as built in 1934 by the Vulcan Foundry.

Stanier’s design is one of the most successful locomotives in the UK. William Stanier was born in Swindon where his father worked for the GWR as clerk to William Dean. Stanier junior was apprenticed at Swindon and rose from draughtsman in 1897 to Works Manager in 1920. In 1931 he was headhunted by the LMS to be their new Chief Mechanical Engineer.  Stanier took a lot of GW knowledge with him and he set about creating a series of successful large, modern engines which included the Jubilees, Princesses, 8F, 4MT, Turbomotive and, of course, the Black Five, one of the most successful ever all-rounders.

Stanier was knighted in 1943, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and president of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He was one of two I Mech E presidents that built a model locomotive, the other being Sir Hugh Ford, another ex-Swindon apprentice.

The Black Five was introduced in 1934. By 1951 some 842 had been built. Black Fives continued up to the last day of steam and no less than 18 are preserved and more than half are operational.

The name comes from the power classification - 5 - and being painted black. It is one of the most popular engines in all scales.

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Editor: David Carpenter