Багамские острова: История британского паровоза

London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Jubilee Class 5596 (BR number 45596) Bahamas is a preserved British steam locomotive. It is named after The Bahamas. The locomotive was built as a standard Jubilee Class in 1935 by the North British Locomotive Company for the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS). In May 1961, under the ownership of British Railways, Bahamas was the recipient of several experimental modifications aimed at improving the steam engine. In July 1966, Bahamas was withdrawn from traffic. A preservation society was founded and raised the money to purchase it from British Rail to prevent it from being scrapped. After repairs by the Hunslet Engine Company in Leeds Bahamas was transported to Dinting Railway Museum, near Glossop, Derbyshire. After British Rail's ban on steam locomotives ended, Bahamas was permitted to run on the national rail network. In October 1972, Bahamas hauled its first excursion special, proving there was public demand. A year later, it was removed from service when its boiler certificate expired. In 1988, it returned to steam after overhaul. It was withdrawn from mainline use after its ticket expired. Between 1997 and 2013, Bahamas alternated between public displays and storage. Another overhaul began during 2013 and the locomotive returned to mainline operations in early 2019.

5596 was constructed in 1935 by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow for the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS). Following the nationalisation of Britain's railway companies in January 1948 Bahamas, which had become the property of British Railways, was renumbered to 45596, and transferred to Edge Hill, Liverpool. In May 1961, Bahamas was modified during a scheduled overhaul to participate in a trial being conducted with the aim of improving the performance and extending the service life of steam locomotives. Following its withdrawal, the locomotive was stored while officials deliberated on the best means to dispose of it. In Sept 2022 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War in 1982, 45596 had a temporary change in identity to become scrapped classmate 45606 Falkland Islands.

In January 2011, an appeal, "Steam's Last Blast", was launched to raise funds for another overhaul to modern main line standards. Sufficient funds were raised from supporters and with the aid of a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of £775,800. The engine made its first moves and appearance at the Tyseley at 50 open weekend in Sept 2018 and once work completed in January 2019 alongside its light and loaded test runs the locomotive returned to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in February prior to mainline operations starting the same month. 45596 worked "The Bahamas Renaissance" its first railtour for 25 years on 9 February 2019, the tour originated at Oxenhope on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and ran both ways over the Settle and Carlisle line via Ribblehead and Appleby to Carlisle. Owing to popularity with the first tour being a complete sell out. A second trip was run the weekend after, this being over the same route and the same itinerary. This tour also became a complete sell out.