LMS 8274 (masquerading as 8476) departs Toddington with the 0915 Freight to Winchcombe as BR 92203 'Black Prince' awaits to depart from Platform 2 with the 0930 Toddington - Gotherington passenger service during the Glous Warks Railway Society's GWR 175 Cotswold Festival of Steam Event.
One of the last 8Fs to remain in British Railways ownership was a GWR built example - No 8476 (BR 48476), which was withdrawn on 10th August 1968. During GWR 175, LMS 8274 adopted the identity of this engine and appeared in black LMS livery, carrying the number 8476 on the cab side and buffer beam; and with a GWR builder's plate - commemorating an important, although little recognised, aspect of locomotive construction at Swindon.
LMS 8274 itself, however, led a colourful existence. It was built by the North British Locomotive Co in Glasgow to the order of the War Department, but was allocated its LMS number. It is thought to have worked for a few weeks in the UK before being shipped to France to assist with supply movements for the British Expeditionary Forces. Many of these locomotives were subsequently sold to railway networks in Italy, Palestine (later Israel), Iraq, Iran, Egypt and Turkey. LMS 8274 was one of 20 shipped to Turkey (others were aboard two ships that were sunk) and became TCDD 45151 Class No 45160 and equipped with local refinements such as a robust cow-catcher, an air compressor and reservoirs. LMS 8274 was repatriated in 1989 and steamed on the Swanage Railway that year, before being stopped for an overhaul that has lasted over 20 years. Following GWR 175, the locomotive will adopt its Turkish identity once again and it is planned to celebrate the locomotive's re-commissioning in the presence of the Turkish Ambassador.
