About the calendar image

During a Steaming Around Yorkshire photo charter, L&YR ‘A Class’ No.52322 passes the River Leven at the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway on the 2nd April 2025.

Following the locomotives most recent overhaul in 2021, L&YR No.52322 can now be seen hauling regular services at the East Lancashire Railway.

Locomotive history:

Designed by John Aspinall, the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway’s Class 27 0-6-0 was introduced in 1889 as the company’s standard goods locomotive. A total of 484 were built over almost 30 years, earning a reputation for simplicity, reliability and longevity. No.1300 was completed at Horwich Works in December 1895, becoming LMS No.12322 in 1923 and BR No.52322 following nationalisation. After more than 64 years of service, it was withdrawn in August 1960 as the sole surviving member of its class.
Purchased for preservation, the locomotive entered the collection of the Ribble Steam Railway before returning to steam after extensive restoration. Now owned by Andy Booth and based at the East Lancashire Railway, it is one of the oldest operational standard goods locomotives in Britain and the only surviving example of Aspinall’s successful Class 27 design. Following its most recent overhaul, completed in 2021, No. 52322 continues to operate on heritage railways around the country.