4871 is an LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 locomotive, originally numbered 4871 by the LMS, it had 40000 added to its number under British Railways after nationalisation in 1948. 44871 was one of the last locomotives to be withdrawn from service, surviving until 1968, the last year of steam on British Railways. She was also one of four locomotives chosen to take part in the famous Fifteen Guinea Special on Sun 11 August 1968, 44871 was in-charge of the Carlisle Citadel to Manchester Victoria leg of the tour which went south down the Settle and Carlisle Line. On this leg of the tour she double headed with 44781, 44871 acted as the pilot engine with 44781 being the train engine. 44871 is one of only three from that train to survive, the others being 45110 and 70013 Oliver Cromwell.
44871 was purchased directly from British Railways service for preservation so never had to be restored from scrapyard condition unlike other preserved locomotives which ended up being sent to Barry Island. The majority of her class including 44871 were purchased directly from BR service for preservation with only six being purchased from Barry Island and then required restoration to run again. Following withdrawal from BR service 44871 remained at Carnforth which would later become Steamtown museum and was purchased off BR for preservation. Once the ban on operating steam locomotives over the national network was lifted in 1972 44871 was used to operate trains over the national network to places like York, at some point in the 70s/80s she was given the name Sovereign. 44871 Was also a popular engine in Scotland working trains along the West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig. Presently it isn't possible to run steam down the Cambrian line due to the new ERTMS system that's in place and currently isn't compatible with steam engines. In August 2010 44871 featured in an episode of Coronation Street where she was hauling Roy and Hayley Cropper's wedding train. For the occasion 44871 carried 45407's "Lancashire Fusilier" nameplates.
Current status
44871 is based at the East Lancashire Railway alongside fellow Ian Riley owned sibling No. 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier and like 5407 she is mainline certified and is also a regular hauling West Coast RailwaysJacobite along the West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig and back. She very recently returned to service in August 2017 following the completion of another heavy overhaul which has once again been done to mainline standards.
