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Steam World 2004-2006
First Floor, 2 King Street, Peterborough, PE1 1 LT
The Editors of this magazine, which does not set out to be profound, have been highly successful in capturing material both from professional locomotive engineers (who very sadly are a shrinking breed), from senior railway managers, and from people like Andrew Dow who enjoyed priviledged access to railways at an early age. Unfortunately, the magazine neither provides volume numbers nor consecutive pagination. and this makes it slightly more difficult to cite, and this has inhibited progress in providing fuller coverage. This is a pity as some of its content is of lasting value, although that based on shed bashing is usually trivial and will not be abstracted in depth. Amongst the greatest gems are the long series by R.H.N. Hardy which have extended from the Great Central to Great Eastern sections of the LNER and onto the Southern Region. Over the years Philip Atkins has also provided much food for thought. Thus the entries are highly selective.
Back issues: recent copies (that is last few months) are available from Tower Publishing Services Ltd., Tower House, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, LE16 9EF. (Tel: 01858 438871). A limited number of earlier Issues are available from the Editorial address in Peterborough by calling 01733 555123 or by making requests in writing to above address..
Number 200 (February 2004)
Steam World - the Issue that never appeared! Nigel
Harris. 16-18.
Describes how Harris moved from the Westmorland Gazette, where
he learnt his journalism, to Steam World, when it was produced in
High Bentham under David Wilcock, until it was sold by IPC to EMAP and closed,
but was eventually restored by the emap operation. Includes reproduction
of colour pages from final issue under IPC which would have been Number
33.
Dicing with death at Doncaster in 1947. George
Lathey . 24-30.
Writer had the unusual experience of being involved in a serious railway
accident when a train in which the writer was traveling was run into by another.
This happened just outside Doncaster station on 9 August 1947 and was due
to signalman error. The writer's mother suffered from a broken pelvis, but
the writer escaped with bruising. The carriage in which they were travelling
was severely damaged and the writer remembered battery acid dripping on to
him.
Number 202 (April 2004)
Farewell to two great photographers. 6.
Obituaries for Eric Woods (born in Holbeach, educated at Spalding
Grammar School, and early member of M&GN Circle) and for Philip M. Alexander
(born in Liverpool in about 1910) and concentrated on colour photography
from 1958.
Unusually positioned crests to the fore. 7.
Actually to the aft: 3711 with small BR crest positioned over the
toolbox.(col.illus in Swindon shed on 9 September 1962).
Communication problems. 7.
Col. illus from John Edgington of signal post with distant in off
position and home at danger (on same post) due to failure of rodding from
motor: taken at Rodbourne Lane, Swindon on 13 June 1954.
A less glamorous aspect. George Holyhead. 8-14.
Passed for firing at Polmadie mpd, Glasgow, on 8 June 1953. Describes
first task of disposal of Princess Royal which had arrived on overnight sleeper.
The removal of the firebars was very heavy work and the emptying of the ashpans
was a filthy task. Cleaning the smokebox was also hot and dirty work and
the writer's home lacked a bath or shower. A vast amount (two tons) of coal
was used in making up the fire on a Pacific, after which the tender was topped
up at the coaling plant. Rocking grates were greeted with joy, but there
were problems if they seized up.
Flying carpets from Kidderminster. Brian Moone (phot.). 16-21.
Mixture of colour and b&w photographs taken in mid-1960s.
Crawley, John. Accident at Oakley Junction....
28-33.
On 21 January 1938 a down express collided with an empty stock train
at Oakley Junction due to errors by the signalman and by Driver Hudson on
the express (who expected the signals to clear). There were three fatalities
and 41 passengers were injured (six seriously). The accident report was prepared
by Lt. Col. E. Woodhouse and was published on 15 June 1938.
Of people and places. Charles Meacher. 36-40.
St Margaret's motive power depot was the ultimate in foul and unclean
matter: "it was only necessary to visit the place to feel contaminated".
Aslo describes some of the fringe benefits of shunting duties to breweries
and distilleries: the coal pilot's duties were far less popular.
Bertram, David. To Wales and the West in '53. 46-50.
Started from York on Monday 21 September 1953 mainly to visit locomotive
sheds. From Leeds travelled on the 10.20 (Hull) to Liverpool Lime
Street
Reid, Grant. Happy days! 8-13.
Engineering apprentice at Inverurie Works in 1950s. Included three
months work at Ferryhill mpd when he became an examining fitter. Following
National Service, and declining employment on electric traction for the Glasgow
suburban electrification he became a motive power trainee. As part of his
training he travelled on the footplate of No. 6007 Sir Nigel Gresley from
Glasgow Buchanan Street to Perth. The footplate crew were 'Caley men', although
the driver had joined the LMS and the fireman joined the Scottish Region
and they drove in the Caley manner: medium cut-offs and partially open regulator.
During the induction period he also travelled on a Class 27 to Crianlarich
from Queen Street. He was involved in the debacle of 1 June 1963 when No.
256 Glen Douglas and a J37 hauled the final steam train on the West Highland.
He also describes a footplate journey from Carlisle to Carstairs on 46224
Princess Alexandra with very poor coal on a parcels train which lost the
rear vehicle through a coupling failure near Wamphray.
Gammell, Chris. Reading will be the next stop... 16-21.
Call attention. Mel Holley. 6-7
Neat and tidy at Ilford.
31 August 1936: GER lower quadrant signalling
Farewell to Kenneth Oldham
Malcolm Weinberg contributed short obituary of moutaineer, outdoor
centre teaching pioneer, railway photographer, and father of two distinguished
sons. who had lived in Blacko, Lancashire. (KPJ saw him present an inspiring
illustrated talk on the Pennine Way presented in the cinema in Uppermill:
the high point was a shot of a steam-hauled express going over the level
crossing at Crowden!)
From the LNWR to 25kV electrification.
G2a 49361 with cabside yellow stripe and electrification masts in
background at Heath Town Junction, Wolverhampton on 28 August
1964.
More on 'odd' Jinties.
J.S. Hancock photographed No. 47482 which had been repaired at Darlington
Works in 1964 and had its number painted low on its tanks at Gresty Lane,
Crewe on 3 April 1966: this locomotive was fitted with vacuum brake and train
heating bags (hose). Also 47564 at Darlington both prior to and following
conversion into stationary boiler (in both still retained its destination
brackets).
A first and last Bulleid 'Pacific over the GWR's Cornish main line.
Roy Bullock colour transparency of 34002 Salisbury crossing
Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash on way to Penzance.
Cope, Derek. My love affair with 'A4s'. 8-14.
On Glasgow to Aberdeen expresses. Nostalgia for chime whistles and
exhaust rhythms. Col. illus.: 60024 Kingfisher and 60034 Lord
Faringdon.
Northcott, Frank. A fine farewell. 16-19.
Personal observations made from the trackside at Dainton and at Bristol
Temple Meads on 9 May 1964 of the high speed Castle-hauled specials: by the
time the initial special had reached Dainton No. 4079 had failed and been
replaced by No. 7025 Sudeley Castle.
Meacher, Charles. Of people and places... Part 4. 20-4.
Describes a running away of a coal train on the 1 in 50 graded Loanhead
branch which led to the death of Driver Jim Harkins. The accident happened
on 10 November 1955 and was attributed to a brake pull rods failure on a
J38 0-6-0. Other steep gradient work performed by St Margarets locomotives
included the difficult exit from Granton Harbour where J88 0-6-0Ts laboured
up severe gradients with sharp curves. Meacher had been introduced to single-line
work on the Peebles branch when also coping with the ratchet-operated firedoor
on D30 Laird o' Monkburns. Difficulties experienced at Hawick included
the very short turntable which made turning B1s perilous.
Blakey, George. Footplate fraternity at Fratton. 17-20.
Problems with oil burning on Southern Railway from 1946. Tells how
fuel on a T9 failed to ignite leading to a pool forming in the pit below
the engine. When a torch was thrown into the firebox, an unofficial method
of applying a light, the fuel exploded and the fire in the pit damaged the
motion on the T9. The totally sealed firehole door made the cabs bitterly
cold in winter, with the exception of the West Country where the swirling
action burner made the firedoor red hot (and the cab very hot).
Number 208 (October, 2004)
Topping, Brian. Anytime, any place, anywhere...[LMS 2-6-4Ts: Fowler
type]. 54-8.
In spite of the banal title the feature includes some useful information,
noting that the design was based upon the inauspicious MR 0-6-4Ts, but with
outside cylinders, Walschaert's valve gear and a pony truck. Notes how Diamond's
ideas on long travel valve gear was incorporated and how the design followed
much of that of the SDJR 2-8-0 and to an extent the Horwich 2-6-0. Nevertheless,
the introduction is misleading as it mentions suburban services out of Fenchurch
Street to which this type was not applied.
Blakey, George. Footplate fraternity at Fratton.
Part 5. 16-19.
Includes description of catastrophic failure of thermic syphon on
a West Country Pacific in 1952 when footplate crew were saved from injury
by the firebox doors being closed. Other interesting information includes
problems with Southern Railway/Region coaling towres which had to be limited
in their coal stocks due to subsidence; problems with dust from soft coal,
the lack of dampers to control combustion and reduce risk of blowing off,
and heat in enclosed cabs..
Riley, R.C. (phot.). A summer calling...[47XX on passenger workings].
60-3.
Colour photo-feature: 4705 at Challow on stopping service running-in
from Swindon Works on 13 May 1961; 4703 inside Old Oak Common on 11 May 1964;
4705 departing Paddington for Kingswaer on express on 27 August 1960
Summers, L.A. Was the Riddles BR team too conservative?
(211), 8-14.
Design has two meanings within the context of locomotive
development:overall engineering development and style. The writer mixes both
meanings and in this case is a strength rather than a weakness as Riddles,
and his team, clearly wished to make a mark. In the first category Summers
argues that the design team for the standard classes failed to apply all
of Chapelon's principles; that an attempt should have been made to develop
a long narrow firebox for a 4-8-0 with a mechanical stoker. Manual firing
of a large boiler was inappropriate for the time, and recruitment was about
to become difficult. The absence of trailing wheels would have improved
hill-climbing: GWR locomotives tended to be superior in this respect. Summers
was also disappointed at the appearance of the Britannia class and considers
that a form of semi-streammlining should have been adopted: a colour illustration
of an Australian Class 38 Pacific No. 3801 clearly demonstrates what Summers
considered should have been designed. Sixteen references: so no complaints
there, especially as one is to R. Lowey. See also response
by Kevin Jones (Issue 219 p. 26).
Call attention. Mel Holley. 6-7
An LMS 'interloper' at Chester's Great Western stronghold...
45613 Kenya at Chester mpd: from colour transparency taken
by Alan Chandler on 7 August 1958.
Is this the oldest roll-film picture?
Experiment 2-2-2-0 No. 1120 Apollo leaving Llandudno Junction
in 1904.
Raven at Bank Hall Colliery
0-4-0ST (colour transparency taken by Stephen Spencer) at Huncoat
Colliery in Accrington in 1962.
Here's a mystery solved...
Richard Strange commented on picture of derailed 2-8-0 No. 4707 beyond
end of loop near Swindon: accident occurred 1 November 1958 and involved
two further trains hauled by 9F and by a Castle.
Grayer, Jeffery. Banking exertions at Exeter!
8-14.
Use of Z class 0-8-0Ts and W class 2-6-4Ts as bankers during the late
part of steam working on the steep 1 in 37 and sharply-curved incline which
linked St Davids with Exeter Central. Plans to bypass the incline were conceived
by the LSWR in 1905 (this would have linked the line beyond Cowley Bridge
Junction over the GWR directlt to Central station). Another concept of the
1930s envisaged the Southern Railway having high level platforms at St Davids
which would have obviated the flat junctions with the GWR (work to divert
the Exe was started). See also feature on the special signalling required
for safe working of the banking engines in Issue 220 page
58.
Platform. 20-
46254 City of Stoke on Trent was the last 'Coronation' to carry BR blue livery.
David Smith
Personal observation of locomotive at Liverpool Lime Street in Auigust
1954, also means of detection from photographs.
[Coronation] class in residual black and blue liveries].
Terry Webb.
Confirms that 46254 City of Stoke on Trent was the last
'Coronation' to carry BR blue livery (until 13 September 1955); 46228
Duchess of Rutland was the penultimate one (until 23 April 1955).
46236 City of Bradford and 46251 City of Nottingham
(painted thus in May 1949) were the last black Coronation class: b&w
illus of 46251 in LNWR livery at Edge Hill in March 1954 and 46236 at Standish
on 1 May 1954 (with normal smokebox), and 46242 City of Glasgow in
blue livery prior to Harrow disaster in mid-1951 (had normal smokebox).
Roycroft, Norman. From Derby shed to Schubert... Part 4. 24-9.
Work as a junior clerk at Attenborough from 23 May 1955 under
stationmaster Eli Crabtree, who had begun his career at Morecambe Euston
Road (LNWR) in 1917
Blakey, George. Footplate fraternity at Fratton. Part 7. 30-3.
Burning briquettes on Bulleid Pacifics led to very painful eyes for
the footplate crews, but tells of fast run with Driver Charles Strange from
Portsmouth to Basingstoke when they were encouraged to run fast to avoid
delaying following up express from Bournemouth. Another anecdote of journey
from Romsey to Southsea with Billy Smart's Circus train where elephants upset
by excessive speed. Joined merchant navy prior to ASLEF strike in
1954..
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 2. 34-9.
Terry Miller used to tell this story about L.P. Parker: "Good morning
Miller. I have just passed the engine of the 'Hook Continental' in Platform
510. It carries the number 1005 and the remarakable if undignified name of
Bongo. Please see that this locomotive is not used on this important
train in future." Also another story about Parker spotting water overflowing
from a tank and his commentt to fireman about allowing domestic bath to flow
which produced response; "Barf, guv, barf? ain't got a bleedin' barf!" Another
anecdote about Jim (J.J. Groom), boiler foreman at Stratford.
Topping, Brian. Anytime, any place, anywhere... Part
5. [LMS 2-6-4Ts: Hudd fitted three-cylinder]. 40-3.
The Hudd ATC (automatic train control system) was introduced on the
LTSR. In connection with this the formerly domeless three-cylinder 2-6-4Ts
were fitted with domed boilers with increased superheating. The cab doors
were also modified. Notes on feedwater treatment using Aflock and tannin
is also mentioned.
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me... 44-5.
Illustration with notes of Model Engineering Trade Association (META)
which met at King's Cross Station in 1945: present with George Dow were Charles
Skelton of Walter & Holtzapffel, W.C. Hardy. Frank Mills, R.S, Moore,
Herbert Mills, W.J. Bassett-Lowke, J. Sanford, G.N. Slater, J.E. Skinley
(draughtsman), George Dow (president of META); R.J. Raymond, (Chairman and
Editor of Model Railway Constructor), G.H. Lake (Secretary, who was
also editor of the short-lived but fine magazine Railway Pictorial),
R.M. Spofforth, J.N. Maskelyne (member of the British Railway Modelling Standards
Board, and President of the Stephenson Locomotive Society), R. Bindon Blood;
and W. Rowe, of Bassett- Lowke, A.R. Aikman, J.H. Holbrook (of Tyldesley
& Holbrook of Deansgate, Manchester: KPJ can still remember window with
its 00 gauge temptations and where at least one book was bought with its
special adhesive stamp inside the cover), A.S. Reidpath, industrial model
maker; and H.M. Sell, of Basset-Lowke. "So here, in one room at one time,
is the core of the British model railway trade of nearly 60 years ago."
Holley, Mel. Humans not hardware are rail's real heroes. 4-5.
A4 No. 60031 Golden Ploverr waits at Galashiels on railtour heading
south on 18 April 1965 (Roy Hobbs) lead to thoughts concerning possible reopening
of Waverley Route, and relates also to last feature in
this Issue on attempt to preserve Great Central route.
Call attention. Mel Holley. 6-7.
In the dfays when Oxford's steam locomotives were nice and clean. G.P.
Cooper.
0-6-0PT No. 9773 hauling a small consignment of MGB sports cars from
Abingdon to the exchange sidings at Hinksey on 17 August 1965; also A1 60157
Great Eastern inside York roundhouse on 1 November 1964
How far north did GWR 2-6-2Ts travel? John Hyde.
4167 at Leamington Spa General on 9 October 1963 (col. illus.): asks
were they permitted to work to Nuneaton (KPJ doubts that), but Birkenhead
was far, far to the norrth!
We were there – but not in the same place. Bob Clarke.
Colour illus of 60034 Lord Faringdon on 2 September 1965 at
Glasgow Buchanan Street
More volcanic black smoke. Tom Boustead
Illus. of V2 No. 60875 climbing from Grantham towards Stoke summit
at Saltersford on 8 August 1959.
Sir Winston Churchill: the Statesman. John Bird
34051 Sir Winston Churchill with United States Line's headboard
Statesman on 17 August 1962 (b&w illus.).
Ashcroft, Bill. Easter in East Anglia. 8-14.
Travel was impeded by relative lack of trains on Good Friday (which
used to be treated with respect) and travellers were forced into penetinential
bus rides.
Rixon, Geoff (phot.). GWR 4-6-0s in London. 16-17.
Colour-photo feature: 6001 King Edward VII departing Paddington
on 6 July 1962; 4082 Windsor Castle on arrival at Platform 10 in August
1962; 6823 Oakley Grange in ex-Works condition in May 1962.
Dow, Andrew. The Fastline Files. 18-21.
Selby swing bridge looking north from bridge control cabin (gauntleted
track on up line clealy visible) on 1 October 1957; gauging train alongside
early colour light signal on 13 March 1955; extremely tall down starter with
lower repeaters at Alnmouth on 22 March 1961; and maintenance of three aspect
colour light signal at Lockwood on 12 April 1961.
Roycroft, Norman. From Derby shed to Schubert... Part 5. 22-6.
Attenborough station in the mid-1950s: author worked for station master
Crabtree in the station office. Incidents included failure of 62660 between
Beeston and Attenborough which required initiation of single-line working;
minor errors, frauduulent travel, challenges by public, etc.. Also includes
an account of travel on East Midlander railtour on 6 May 1956 from Nottingham
to Swindon hauled by MR class 2P 4-4-0s: locomotives seen at Swindon Works
are listed.. Became a junior relief clerk and was subjected to a practical
joke whereby his "first posting" was to a destination "40 miles away, but
was actually at nearby Spondon. .
Platform. 28-9
How many locomotive impostors still survive today? Hugh Longworth.
Noted that to speed up the rebuilding of B16 class into B16/2 and
B16/3 an extra set of frames was constructed at Darlington and sometimes
it was possible to see two locomotives carrying the same number.
How many locomotive impostors still survive today? Neville Stead.
Frames from B16 No. 925 "destroyed" in York air raid were re-used.
Also notes that B16/3 exploited this spare set of frames to speed up rebuilding.
Also notes that when N8 class Nos. 855 and 856 entered Darlington Works in
1939 the wrong locomotive was scrapped and No. 855 was repaired and returned
to service as No. 856. Unfortunately, the cylinder stroke size was incorrect
and the engine history card had to be amended. On the M&GN two Beyer
Peacock 4-4-0s (Nos. 24 and 25) were used to form No. 25.
Bangers and mash in the [Euston] Great Hall. J.E. Burns
In 1949 sausages, onions and mash were available from a man with a
white beard (and what is wrong with that??). Writer suggests that man must
now be in Heaven (where we hope that all bearded men will go).
The unusual sight of a Stanier 'Lizzie' at Derby. C.P. Stacey.
46203 Princess Margaret Rose ex-works 19 March 1952
(illus.).
Bulleid 'Pacifics' took fast downhill sprint to Exeter. G. Leyman.
Watched trains rush through Broadclyst station at around
90mile/h.
Dabeg boiler feed water experiment brought back memories. Frank Claytonsmith.
29.
Illus. of No. 653 fitted with Dabeg feed water heater, but text does
not add much
Electric lighting raises many questions. Brian Ady.
Fitted to B1, L1, and K1 and to Bulleid Pacifics, also to some SR
D15 and T9 class locomotives
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 3. 32-7.
Industrial relations at Stratford in the late 1940s: the workers in
The Works were on piecework and earnings were higher than for the artisan
staff in the motive power depot. Jim Groom was a member of the Boilermaker's
Union and Chairman of the Stratford Running Shed Workshop Committee. With
his intelligent conivance boilermakers were retrained as electrical fitters
to enable the switch to be made to electric traction when the Shenfield electrics
were introduced. Illustrations include an Eastern Region Mamangement Committ
Meeting which includes Jim Groom, Gerry Fiennes, Terry Miller and E.D. Trask.
Also visit of Her Majesty the Queen to Stratford Diesel Depot in February
1962 with RHNH introducing HMQ to Charlie Smith, Senior Running Foreman,
whose father had been a Royal Train driver in the 1920s; Ian C. Allen photo
of Gobbler No. 67211 with Jim Bosley, Shed Chargeman at Braintree and Maldon
on loan to RHNH in October 1956; Stratford breakdown gang with its foreman,
Bill Hunting, and hydraulic pump.
Fowkes, Rod. Boxes full of memories... Part 4. 38-41.
Signalboxes: fog working, keeping water troughs free from
ice: see also LMS Journal Issue 6 page
16
Topping, Brian. Anytime, any place, anywhere... Part
6. 42-5.
Substantial modifications were involved in the Fairburn version of
the LMS 2-6-4T.
Evans, Patrick. A great Welsh shed bash. Part 2. 46-9.
September 1961: Fishguard Harbour at 01.20
Evetts, Philip. The saga of an elderly 'I3' 4-4-2
tank. 52-7.
Relates how in 1935 Billinton had related how he had ridden on No.
23 on the through working to Rugby: he had been impressed with the LNWR permanent
way and the difficulty of conserving fuel and water. The main part is an
account of No. 32084 on the 04.50 from Londoon Bridge to Eastbourne when
the elctricity supply to the third rail was off. The locomotive primed badly
on the climb to Forest Hill due to an excess of water softener
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me... 58-9.
Photograph by Kenneth Leech taken from footplate of A4 60007 Sir Nigel
Gresley as it heads south past Offord and the River Ouse. The memory is of
the "race" staged for Pathé News in 1931 between a de Havilland Puss
Moth, a speedboat on the River and an LNER express, which happended to be
observed by George Dow.
Great shot. N.L. Browne (phot.). 60-1
Colour illis.: 5537 with Newquay branch train at Chacewater in September
1959.
A rescue plan [for the Great Central line] with a
difference. 62-4.
Efforts made by the Great Central Association.
Topping, Brian. Anytime, any place, anywhere... Part
7. 8-12.
Later batches of the "Fairburn" 2-6-4Ts.
Longhurst, Paul. An 'old boy' reminiscences... 14-21.
Earning Brownie points. John Sansom (phot.). 22-3.
Taken with a Kodak Brownie box camera (and some seem to be moving,
but all are black & white): 21C12 Union Castle with cast number
plates, cast "Southern" plate on tender at Salisbury in late 1940s; 35011
General Steam Navigation with tender lettered "BRITISH RAILAYS"; 5067
St Fagans Castle with tender lettered "BRITISH RAILAYS" in GWR style
at Salisbury on Brighton to Cardiff train; 21C120 Bibby Line leaving
Salisbury.
Roycroft, Norman. From Derby shed to Schubert... Part 6. 24-8.
Platform. 30-
The 'Grove' remembered. Jim Walker.
Our ailing 'Hall' didn't get far. Alan Ticketts.
'The Zulu' was an unofficial name. S.D. Wainwight.
For 11.45 Birkenhead to Paddington
When transfers only happened on paper. D. Horne.
A 'Merchant' could have beaten Mallard's record! Dave Evans.
A 'Merchant' could have beaten Mallard's record! Adrian Scott.
'The Farnborough Flyer' pilotman. Harry Ross.
Norman Roycroft certainly brought back the Midland memories for me. D.J.
Foster.
Norman Roycroft certainly brought back the Midland memories for me. Peter
Roulston.
More on 'impostor' engines. D.J. Fleming.
The mystery of the fish trains is solved. Jack Hodgkinson. 33
North British stock at Peterborough. Charles Long.
'Caprotti' engines were certainly speedy. J.R. Welch.
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 4. 34-9.
Cattermole, William. Motivated by steam. 46-50.
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me... 52-3.
George Dow was the Divisional Manager of the Stoke Division of the
London Midland Region with offices in former North Staffordshire Railway
headquarters.
Wilson, Andrew. By 'Clan' to Swindon. 54-8.
From Paddington to Swindon and back with 275 tons behind 72006 Clan
Mackenzie on 6 December 1963. Outward journey was very slow, but return
had some sparkle especially on the final stretch. into Paddington
Brilliant Bulleids. 60-1.
Colour photo-feature: unrebuilt 35024 East Asiatic Company
at Nine Elms on 6 September 1958 (R.C. Riley); rebuilt 34042
Dorchester at Eastleigh shed on 12 September 1964 (Gavin Morrison);
34005 Barnstaple at Southampton Central on same day as previous.
Skinner, John. The infamous 6.10pm [Victoria to Uckfield]. 62-4.
Rich, Fred. "You'll go to jail, young man...". Part
1. 8-14.
Concerns Rugby Locomotive Testing Station. Access to
the excellent diagram in Part 2 is necessary to fully
understand Part 1. Rich started work at Rugby in 1957 when the plant was
past its prime. Nevertheless, there are interesting illustrations and rewarding
reminiscences about D.R. Carling, the Superintendent and about Horace Clarence
Ockwell, his Deputy. Ockwell appears to have been mildly eccentric. Tommy
Cadzow (1903-77), a Scot, was the chemist. These senior members of staff
are portrayed in a group photograph (taken by J.M. Jarvis) with Robin Johnson,
John McCann (a sometime contributor to Steam World) and George Podmore.
Ron Pocklington was in charge of the Farnborough indicator. John Click (1926-88)
was the footplate observer until 1956 when Rich tookover. Notes that Eric
Nutty was Ell's footplate guru. Alleges that on road testing Derby "couldn't
hold a candle to Sammy Ell" at Swindon, although Swindon lacked a Farnborough
Indicator. and did not indicate every cylinder. Ockwell stated that "we will
never outshine Sammy Ell because he doesn't set out to prove himself wrong!".
Swindon was integrated and coherent. On 26 November 1957 Carling met Chapelon
in London where Chapelon congratulated Carling concerning the tests of the
Crosti boiler: "These tests of yours are the most accurate and consistent
that I've ever seen". Chapelon had been called in to adjudicate between Crosti
and British Railways over the savings which had been expected from the use
of the Crosti boiler. The Heenen & Froude dynamometers were hydraulic.
The article also describes the testing of the gas turbine locomotive GT3
and its designer J.O.P. Hughes and George Howe his test engineer.
See also highly informative letter from John Tidmarsh
(218 page 20).
Webb, Terry. 'Duchesses' in distress. 20-7..
Accidents in which the class was involved. Notes the very high mileages
achieved by the locomotives and that the majority of the accidents could
not be attributed to the locomotives, although the three firebox failures
might have been avoided given different design or better staff training.
6232 Duchess of Montrose collided with bombing debris at Berkhamsted
on 15 May 1944; 6225 Duchess of Gloucester derailed nearr Mossend
due to poor track maintenance; 6231 Duchess of Atholl was involved
in a collision at Ecclefechan on 21 July 1945 (drifting smoke was a contributing
factor) see also letter from G.K. Summerfield (218 p.
22) who was travelling on train involved; 6235 City of Birmingham
was involved in another collision at Lambrigg on 18 May 1947. The three
low water/firebox crown serious accidents involved 6224 Princess
Alexandra at Craigenhill on 10 September 1940 and at Lamington on 7 March
1948 and 46238 City of Carlisle at Bletchley on 24 January 1962 where
the design of the LMS water gauge glasses were at fault. The most serous
accident (multiple collision) was that at Harrow & Wealdstone on 8 October
1952 involved 42642 City of Glasgow and appears to have been due to
driver error. See also letter from Doug Landau (Isssue
219 p. 26): notes incorrect water gauge identification used by writer:
should have been right-hand (or fireman's side) and left-hand (or driver's
side): annual mileage achieved by members of the class fell sharply from
1960 onwards. See also letter from David Essam (Issue
221 page 30) who was fireman who worked train involved on 24 Jannauary
1962 forward to Euston using a Royal Scot: this conveyed Driver Vic Stoneham
who was burned by the blowback (in the care of a doctor who was on the train):
fortunately, he made a full recovery..
Gasson, Harold. The greatest engines ever built at
Swindon! 8-14.
Stanier 8F locomotives built during WW2. Personal experience of the
class as a fireman at Didcot. See also letter from B.
Benford No. 224 p. 50.
Ashberry, Alan. A station interlude... Part 1.
20-3.
Experiences at Watford Junction as a trainee during the 1930s.
Platform. 28-31.
More on Darlington's 'B16' cover-up. Mike Goodall.
Suggests an "extra" B16 may have been rebuilt into B16/3 form. See
also Issue No. 213 (March)
Was Duchess of Norfolk the last to be defrocked?
James Leese.
Trains Illustrated, 1949, January suggests 46226 was last Duchess
to be de-streamlined.
Rich, Fred. "You'll go to jail, young man...". Part
2. 32-7.
Virtually impossible to understand without access
to Part 1 . Concerns Rugby Locomotive Testing Station and includes an
excellent diagram of the plant (which must have been produced relatively
late in its life as a standard class is on the "rollers"). Includes very
concise pen portraits of Tommy Cadzow (1903-1977), the pipe-smoking Scottish
chemist, Ron Pocklington who modified the Farnborough indicator (originally
developed at the Royal Aircraft Establishment thereat) for steam locomotive
cylinders and John Click who had been an earlier footplate observer on the
plant. An extended caption to Giesl ejector-fitted 9F No. 92250 being tested
mentions that Dr Giesl was "courtesy itself", but that Ockwell lacked the
courtesy to congratulate Giesl for halving the blastpipe pressure on test.
Part 3..
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford for ever. Part 6.
38-45.
Spotless Liverpool Street pilots: N7 and J69. Notes on F6 class Gobblers
at Enfield in 1945 and their propensity for hard work if driven on full regulator
and short cut off. Excellence of Westinghouse brake. Anecdote about W.O.
Bentley on footplate noting hot big end on N7. Another anecdote about Driver
Joe Oglesby who had been fireman on a B17 No. 2847 in March 1942 when working
between Sheffield and Leicester. Also how South Lynn MGNJR men were welcomed
to Stratford when line closed in 1959.
Crawley, John. Reinvigorating the Vale of Rheidol.
53-6.
Involvement of Bobbie Lawrence and Frank Young, Stoke Divisional Managers,
and the Town Council of Aberystwyth in the promotion of the narrow gauge
railway in the late 1960s/early 1970s.
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me... 58-9.
Footplate journey on 9F on freight from Birkenhead to Crewe in September
1967 with immaculate Inspector Davies, Driver Preston and Fireman
Taylor.
Call attention. Mel Holley. 6-7.
Are these the very worst railway pub signs in Britain?
Swan, R. Don't take spare turns! 8-14.
Firing on 13.00 Kings Cross to Edinburgh Heart of Midlothian in
week ending 5 March 1960 involved three locomotives bewteen London and York:
60042 Singapore failed due to injector problems at Grantham; V2 60897
managed to haul the train to Doncaster in spite of leaking tubes and another
A3 (with Kylchap chimney) 60046 Diamond Jubilee took to train through
to York. The working was closely monitored as bullion and bank notes were
conveyed to the Bank of Scotland accompanied by detectives. Swan estimated
that a Thompson Pacific would burn about 5% more coal than an A3 on the non-stop
journey between Peterborough and York.
Ashberry, Alan. A station interlude... Part 2. 16-20.
Episode on Easter Saturday 1939 when 6234 Duchess of Abercorn
slipped violently out of control at Watford Junction; also incident of Oerlikon
motor car bursting into flames following a serious electrical fault; use
of L&MR Lion during filming Victoria the Great at Bricket
Wood on St Albans branch; met Stanier's chauffeur and the greeat man himself;
special train kept at Watford for Churchill, and Royal Train stopped at Watford
for King and Queen to travel to Windsor by road. Illus.: Lion at Euston
with Coronation Scot behind on 22 September 1938 (H.C.
Casserley).
Platform. 22-3.
Who remembers the Hatton banker, normally based at Warwick?
John Cadmore.
Mr John Cadmore may be interested to know that Great Western Railway
Magazine No. 19 (1996) had a feature on Hatton by Roger Carpenter and Chris
Turner. This mentions how banking was performed and the classes used, mainly
the 41XX type, but the only illustration of a banker is of 5640 in the late
1950s! Back issues of this journal are relatively easy to obtain, notably
from the Kidderminster Railway Museum.
It was good design that helped the 'I3' 4-4-2 tanks.
Philip Evetts.
The Churchward County 4-4-2Ts were still working when writer was at
Swindon, and he considered that these were inferior to the I3 class which
combined excellent boilers with well-designed front ends. In Klaus Marx's
Douglas Earle Marsh (p. 46) Evett states that the I3 front-end design
was due to B.K. Field (he had been told this by Jack Marsh, a fellow Swindon
apprentice).
It was good design that helped the 'I3' 4-4-2 tanks.
T.H. Dethridge.
See also letter in 218 page
22.: I3 used between Fratton and Portsmouth Harbour on
Direct Line service from Waterloo.
Men might have been the Brighton Locomotive Works
boiler shop. Fred Rich. 23
See also Issue 215 page 6: photograph of 21C164 with assembled staff
in front: suggests that assembled staff may have been from Boiler Shop: also
notes that the photograph may have been taken by G.F. Burtt who was a "fiery
little man".
Another 'imposter'. Christopher Horne.
46123 Royal Irish Fusilier fitted with nameplates from
Highland Light Infantry and numbered 46121 for use on a troop train
from Holyhead to Glasgow on 10 September 1955 (KPJ: no worse than the relatively
common practice of changing regimental insignia on servicemen: during National
Service KPJ carried Duke of Wellington's, Green Howards, and was narrowly
spared HLI! — during reserve service)
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 7. 24-9.
Illus. of N7 No. 2603 outside Jubilee shed, Stratford in July 1933:
Hardy noted that Arthur English had warned Gresley that the long-travel valve
gear fitted would make the loocomotive brilliant, but at risk from dramatic
failure. Also picture of muscular ladies employed as fitters' mates at Stratford
during WW2: one of the apprentice's pastimes was to bowl drawbar rubbers
(cylindrical rubber springs) at the female staff. Also note on market for
stolen ball-shaped lubricators made of brass which sat on top of Westinghouse
pumps.
The Fastline files. Andrew Dow. Part 5. 30-3.
Waterloo: a spotters' paradise. 34-9.
Black & white photo-feature.
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me... 40-1
George Dow and Bert Hammett, Commercial Superintendent at Euston,
at Morecambe surrounded by Miss England contestants (in evening dresses).
Text addresses relationship between railways and holiday resorts through
publicity including posters
Rich, Fred. "You'll go to jail, young man...". Part
3. 42-6.
It is useful to refer to Part 1 (Issue 215 p. 8)
and Part 2 (Issue 216 p. 32) for an excellent diagram
of the plant. This part notes that Denys Twine was responsible for producing
Willans lines (which plotted steam
rate, as measured by water consumption, versus horsepower at a given speed)
to ensure that stable steaming conditions were achieved before testing began
in earnest. Considerable firing skill was required to maintain a steady steaming
rate and the emission of excessive smoke was highly deprecated. The title
of the series reflects Ockwell's comments to Rich when black smoke had been
produced: the 1956 Clean Air Act was about to be implemented in 1958. Illus.
35022 Holland America Line: huge producer of black smoke and placed
great demands on test plant fireman. . Part 4 Issue 218
page 36.
White, L. Released from Works. 48-54.
Made redundant from Eastleigh Works in September 1966, but joined
Outdoor Machinery Department. The machine tools were extremely old and the
premises were rather ad hoc. The area served covered Hamshire, Dorset, the
Isle of Wight and some work was performed on Jersey. A meal allowance was
paid when working away from base but overalls were not provided. Maintenance
involved cranes and lifts and included the boiler for the South Western Hotel
in Southampton where the demon drink was one of the causes of loss of
heat.
Hicks, Bryan. Hiking up Hatton! 58-61.
Colour photo-feature: 92007 on Emparts train from Wolverhampton to
Swindon crossing Rowington troughs on 27 August 1965; 2886 starting ascent
with freight on 21 December 1963; 6879 Overton Grange on Weymouth
to Wolverhampton SO on 20 June 1964; 6937 Conyngham Hall on SO from
Ramsgate on 1 August 1964; 7904 Fountains Hall with train in Southern
Region green from Weymouth on 15 August 1964 and 6831(minus nameplates) with
train of iron ore on 2 June 1965.
Head. Ken. Memories of Uncle Will. 62-4.
Dr Margaret Stanier relates how Sir William A. Stanier made a very
small spanner for her watch before she set out for Africa and how he responded
to his brother's sons playing with their live steam train set. Jean Velecky,
another neice realtes how she was entertained by her Uncle on his special
train when he was inspecting German railway workshops in 1946. She also had
the dubious pleasure of driving Sir William's Cortina in the presence
of the great man (that Cortina also colours one's impressions: Sir
Nigel would never have owned one).
Platform. 20-3.
I can put the names to faces at Rugby Locomotive Testing
Station. John Tidmarsh.
Refers to Fred Rich's first article (215 p. 8 et
seq) about the Rugby Testing Station: letter writer
knew many of those mentioned. Names all the people grouped around the Amsler
Recording Table, except the seated man: this was a press picture taken during
visit by ORE Committee B44, some time between spring 1962 and end of 1962.
The Office for Research & Experiments (ORE) was the research wing of
the International Union of Railways (UIC) and Committee B44 was set up to
investigate problems of adhesion between wheel and rail in traction. It consisted
of a group of engineering specialists drawn from European railways. On the
extreme right was Professor Barwell, at one time Head of Research for BR,
but then Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Swansea University and retained
by B44 as a consultant. Almost hidden behind him is Ockwell. Next is Professor
Kilb of the German Federal Railways (DB) who was Chairman of the Committee.
Next is John Gardam of BR, seconded to ORE and based at Utrecht in Holland,
whose title was Conseiller Technique - technical adviser nowadays we might
call him Executive Officer to the Committee. To his left is Swiss engineer
Mr. Winter, who ultimately became Chief Mechanical & Electrical Engineer
of Swiss Federal Railways, and partially behind him is D.R. Carling who was
the BR member on the Committee. Then comes Mr Wolfram of Polish State Railways
(PKP) and finally M. Bernard of French National Railways (SNCF). Also another
picture of the Committee taken on the same occasion, where H.C. Ockwell is
much more centre-stage, so to speak! This picture also gives a clue as to
the reason for the visit because the group is standing in front of Swiss-built
Gas Turbine No. 18000 which had been acquired by BR Research and donated
to Committee B44 for conversion into a mobile test-bed for adhesion
investigations. It resided in the Preparation Hall at Rugby for a time in
1962 before shipment to Switzerland for conversion. During the work carried
out at the Swiss locomotive Works at Bellinzona - it gained the semi-official
name Elisabetta, painted on the front end, above the buffers and below
the cab windows. Further information from
letter added to Carling page.
Illus: Inspection of No. 18000 at Rugby Testing Station, probably
mid to late 1962, by ORE Committee B44. In the cab is Prof Barwell; on the
steps is Prof Kilb. On the ground (left-right) are D.R. Carling, M. Bernard,
J.D. Gardam, H.C. Ockwell, Mr Wolfram, Mr Winter and an unknown person.
.
CME's actually didn't design 'their' locomotives. S.G. Allsopp. 21
Refers back to Brian Topping's article on "Fairburn 2-6-4Ts" and argues
that the design modification was being pursued before Fairburn's appointment
as CME.
Heavy staining was caused by water characteristics. Frank Northcott.
See April Issue: staining on 4150 was due to water source at Newton
Abbot: the Aller Brook which could be contaminated by sea water at high tides
and this led to priming: enginemen tried to fill up elsewhere.
Why were some of the 'W' class different? Roger Hutton.
See illus. of 31925 at Hither Green: some locomotives were left-hand
drive, others were right-hand.
North British stock made the south coast. T. Dethridge.
See April Issue: notes that NBR stock was used to form trains to/from
Portsmouth during WW1: called them "Jellicoe Specials".
Only 11 'V2s' had non-standard tenders. Mike Burnett.
Comments that only eleven V2 class had tenders with stepped out coping
and that these were moved between locomotives.
I can identify mystery man. D.J. Wood. 22
See June Issue: Les Holding, Area Manager Shrewsbury. Ron Owen, Divisional
Public Relations Officer, provided publicity for the Vale of Rheidol line.
David Rayner, Area Manager at Machynlleth became General Manager of the Eastern
Region. The Stoke Division offloaded some of the costs of operating the VoR
onto other aspects of railway operation!
'I3s' were on really tight timings. Tom
Dethridge.
See also earlier letter in Issue 217 page
22: Use on Portsmouth Direct line services.
'Bomb' damage at Liverpool Street. Frank Adams
Pigeon droppings onto head of inspector
I was a passenger on the Ecclefechan crash train. G.K.
Summerfield.
See feature in 215 page 20: rare
letter from passenger actually involved in a train crash and how he routinely
had used up local smashed into in the Harrow & Wealdstone
disaster.
I always coasted engines at 15% ccut-off. K.M. D'Ath. 23
Worked on the LTSR section where taught to coast at 15%
cut-off
Stanier's LMS '8Fs' were on a par with Swindon's '28XXs'. Ted Abear. 24
But the 8Fs enjoyed a more comfortable cab: illus 8478 at Swindon
coaling stage on 4 July 1947 and line drawing of 28XX.
Ash ejector was perfectly legal. Jim Clarke.
Ash ejectors were fitted on GCR locomotives, such as D11, and were
legal provided not used in urban surroundings.
Cattermole, William. Motivated by steam. Part 2.
26-31.
Started work under L.P. Parker as progressman in Norwich District
in 1946. Describes dropping the tablet from automatic token exchange apparatus
when travelling between Melton Constable and Norwich City on GN Atlantic
(this led to letter in 222 page 30 from Jim Clark)
(as few small Atlantics left by then probably a mistake for one of the GNR
4-4-0s); rerailing B17 No. 1601 Holkham which became derailed at
Sheringham (two illus. of this exciting incident showing Kelbus equipment
in use during re-railing: notes that "driver thought that he was on main
line" must have been drinking on duty to have thought that in those parts).
Other projects involving the close scrutiny of LPP included disappearance
of white cleaning cloths and their laundering at Gidea Park; monitoring the
temperature inside the firebox during hot-water washing out of boilers (at
Stratford depot); monitoring ash accumulation on A2/3 60522 Straight
Deal which had been fitted with a self-cleaning smokebox; steam-cleaning
of locomotives at Stratford (illus.) which also removed lubricant; designed
locomotive headboards for The Norfolkman, The Capitals Limited, The Norseman,
The East Anglian (unfortunately he did not retain original artwork of
such items as the wherry for the Broadsman? (KPJ: mot visible on The
Norfolkman). Also shows headboard (not designed by writer) for The
Oyster Special (from Liverpool Street to Colchester). Also illus of headboard
of Scarborough Flyer on 60033 Seagull (KPJ's favourite A4) and The
Day Continental (LNER headboard) on J69 No. 8500 coupled to tool van
whilst Cattermole was Acting Shedmaster at Parkeston Quay on 1 April?
Hest Bank crash from the air. 32-5.
Derailment of up sleeping car express on 20 May 1965 due to broken
rail. Aerial view taken by Airviews of Manchester and held in archives of
Simmons Aerofilms. See letter in 222 page 29 from Merfyn
Jones.
Rich, Fred. "You'll go to jail, young man...". Part
4. 36-43.
The final part of this interesting series states how Fred Rich gathered
information through his footplate riding mainly on the WCML and the Great
Central route on what might be termed the ergonomics of footplate design:
this was eventually published as Paper
589 in the J. Instn Loco. Engrs. Carling was very supportive of
this work, but Ockwell banned any further footplate journeys (by withdraweing
access to the footplate pass). During these footplate journeys Rich found
the B1 class to be extremely rough and a vast contrast from the smooth-running
Hall class. Although he described a footplate journey on a down journey via
High Wycombe with a V2, the only real observation was that the class tended
to produce a lot of smoke, and in the case of this particular locomotive
it was necesary to run with the firedoor open. Illus.: group photograph
to mark Tom Cadzow's departure for Stratford: also present: John Hicks, Garry
Hibberd, Brian Hughes, Alan Betts, John Tierney, Charles Paterson, Denys
Twine, Carling, Ockwell, Ron Pocklington (Farnborough indicator), Dick Grant,
Dick Wilkinson, Bill Lucas, Norman Norton, Tom Potter, Driver Charlie Drouet
and Fireman John Beck.
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 8. 44-9.
A problem was encountered with servicing the N2 class at Stratford,
as the reverse on GNR designs was the reverse of that on the Great Eastern
and this could lead to accidents. Stan Hinbest dreaded the renewal of the
piston packing on the inside cylinder of the B17 class and considered it
far easier to work on twin inside cylinders of B12 class. Illus.: Jake: Chief
Running Foreman, Arthur Davey; Relief Foreman Bill Tyndall and Hardy; Enfield
Town to Hastings excursion about to depart Liverpool Street for New Cross
Gate via Thames Tunnel hauled by two Buck jumpers Nos. 68575 and 68532 with
Thames Tunnel headcode (one lamp next chimney, one in middle of buffer beam).
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me... 56-7.
A.J. White, advertising manager of the LNER, was the designer of the
British Railways totem as used in station signs. Also illus. of next train
indicator at Birmingham New Street installed in 1955 showing departures for
slow trains to Rugeley Trent Valley and Rugby Midland. See also
Issue 232 for picture of earlier finger board at New
Street.
Pottering around Poole. Robin White (phot.). 58-60.
Colour photo-feature: Unrebuilt 34102 and rebuilt 34052 (neither with
nameplates) on Bournemouth shed in April 1967; 73018 with Weymouth to Bournemouth
train in October 1964; 76057 at Poole station with Swanage to Bournemouth
West train in August 1965; 30502 (S15 tender first) with transfere freight
in April 1961, and rebuilt 34025 (nameless) in Parkstone cutting on up
express.
Reviews. 63-4
Railway to nowhere. DVD/Video, Stowmarket Independent Studios,
MH
Documentary on history of Mid Suffolk Light Railway
Farewell to steam. Roger Siviter. Sutton MH
Final three years: photo-album
Drawn to Scottish steam. Bill Rhind Brown and Dugald Cameron.
Strathwood. MH
Black & white high quality phot-album
Return to Ryde by steam. Vol. 2. Andrew Britton. Medina.
MH
Captions are comprehensive
British Railway steam locomotives,
1948-1968. Hugh Longworth, OPC/Ian Allan. RS
Notes errors contained, mainly on withdrawal and scrapping dates and
error-prone sources. Condemns small print, cramped layout and high
cost.
Atkins, Philip. The great cull of 1962. 8-14.
3000 steam locomotives were withdrawn and 800 route miles were closed
in this year. Many type were eliminated, notably 4-4-0s. Many 8P Pacics were
taken out of service in spite of a shortage of this power category on the
LMR. Amongst the one-off types withdrawn was 71000 Duke of Gloucester. Atkins
includes a statistical breakdown of the withdrawals by wheel arrangement.
Traffic was rapidly declining at that time and indicative of this is that
diesel haulage (in terms of traction miles) paeked in 1965/6 before steam
traction had been eleminated.
Fisher, Bruce. Sixteen and steaming!. 16-20.
Author was based at Northwich and he describes how a passed cleaner's
attempt to become a fireman was initially thwarted by an unhelpful driver
(and some lack of skill by the writer). A later inspection on a 9F with a
co-operative driver up to Godley was successful and Fisher was passed for
mainline firing.
Platform [correspondence]. 22.
Time for another celebration — HR150! Neville Stead. 22
Highland Railway: Inverness & Nairn Railway opened in 1855. Illus.:
54398 Ben Alder in store at Forfar on 3 September 1959 and 'Clan Goods'
57955 at St Rollox in June 1950.
Electric lighting mysteries unravelled. George Blakey.
23.
See letter from Brian Ady: electric lighting was provided via a Stone's
turbo generator on Southern Railway/Region locomotives converted to oil firing
as the cabs were darker than on coal burners. The equipment was similar to
that fitted to the Bulleid Pacifics which were also fitted with Klinger-type
gauge glasses which required stronger illumination. On rebuilding Dewrance
gauge glasses were employed but the electric lighting was retained. When
the older oil-fired locomotives (e.g. K10 and L11) weere withdrawn or reconverted
to coal firing the electricity generators were re-used on new-build Light
Pacifics. Also tells an anecdote concerning delegation of senior Russian
delegation of railwaymen visiting Portsmouth in Pullman special hauled by
light Pacific. This failed through a broken gauge glass and had to be hauled
by a C2X from Fratton.
Tricks with the 'Westo' brake. John Knowles.
See R.H.N. Hardy No. X: rapid release of Westinghouse brakes when
restarting.
BR's 'Standards' policy didn't make total sense. Kevin
Jones. 26.
This letter is reproduced in toto elsewhere on the website
as it may assist users of the website to understand some of its compiler's
prejudices (mainly that locomotive design on the LNER has tended to receive
a "poor press"). It was written in response to very stimulating
feature Was Riddles Right? by L.A. Summers in January Issue of Steam World.
There is an engineering maxim that "if it looks right, then it
probably is right". Thus Summers is correct to bring locomotive appearance
into focus and to question whether the Standards were required at all, and
whether, if any, they should have been of a different type. He is on more
dangerous ground in suggesting long narrow grates: these would have been
successful on the Western Region, but would have been far less so on those
areas burning Yorkshire coal. But, the greatest waste in the Riddles programme
was that no attempt was made to identify need. Certain bad operating practices
remained almost to the end of notably double-heading, although on the Somerset
& Dorset this was partially eliminated by employing the 9F class.
The small locomotives were not needed. Diesel railcars should have
been built right from the start. There was no programme to retain tramcars
and trolleybuses, or to develop steam lorries to limit imports of crude oil.
Why should railways continue to use obsolete motive power on marginal lines?
Light steam locomotives, if needed at all, should have been restricted to
freight, and should have been as cheap as possible: something like a modernised
J15 would have done. But one suspects that a go-faster standard diesel electric
shunter might have been vastly more economical. Certain lines, most notably
the Great Eastern section, needed more powerful locomotives, and the Britannia
class was highly successful in that respect: a sort of successful P2. One
of the greatest "why didn't theys" must be why the V2 design was not adapted
for use on the Great Eastern? The Bulleid Pacifics were known to be troublesome:
the light Pacifics should have been converted into far better "Clans" due
to their superior and "more standard" boilers. They would not have been as
good as the Jarvis design, but would have formed an excellent basis for a
standard low cost Pacific. Boiler standardisation under Riddles and Stanier
was a chimera. To obviate double-heading on the WCML required far more Pacifics.
Ideally these should have been of the Stanier type as they would have been
more standard within their domain. A small number fitted with dual left/right
hand drive might have been excellent on the Western Region. The
9F type should have been a 2-8-2 as it would have been more versatile. If
a 2-10-0 really was required then the boiler from this should have been used
on the Pacific classes and one boiler design would have been saved. The overall
standardization concept was completely ruined by this dithering. Churchward,
the standardising genius would not have been amused at the inept attempts
made to follow the policy instigated by him. A closer look should been made
at existing orders. The LNER K1 design was excellent and cheap, and was certainly
worth perpetuating. Orders for the anchronistic Great Western types should
have been modified to incorporate external valve gear and modern cabs. The
orders for the 94XX class should have been replaced by the far more versatile
Austerity tank design.
More on 'Duchesses' in distress. Doug Landau. 26.
See feature by Terry Webb Issue 215 p. 20: notes
incorrect water gauge identification used by writer: should have been right-hand
(or fireman's side) and left-hand (or driver's side): annual mileage achieved
by members of the class fell sharply from 1960 onwards.
Happy memories of the 4.10pm! Chris Cock.
Group photograph taken of breakdown crane gang, with Richard Hardy
and steam crane visible at Pickett's Lock on 13 September 1960.
Stratford articles bring back the memories. Dennis
Saville. 27.
illus.: Writer on bunker of N7 69663 with Driver Charlie Reeves at
controls: writer was cousin of George Saville, mentioned by R.H.N.
Hardy.
Where was GT3's whistle. Tim Coles.
Fred Rich called GT3 EM27L.
[GT3]. Paul Banks.
George Howe was known as the "engine driver" at English Electric at
Whetstone: he had worked with Frank Whittle.
Cattermole, William. Motivated by steam. Part 3.
28-33.
This is very similar to the Dick Harvey series in that Cattermole
was a professional motive power man who also liked to keep fit by firing
and oberving conditions on the footplate. He notes one incident on the down
Queen of Scots Pullman where the driver was involved in passing a
signal at danger and another when he was driving and overshot the platform
at Parkeston Quay. He was Acting Shedmaster at Harwich and was in trouble
with T.C.B. Miller in 1949 over locomotive poor performance with 34059 Sir
Archibald Sinclair on the up Hook Continental. He notes that
Miller was a "most likeable and
courtesous boss". Developments due to his activity included the installation
of multiple watering points at New England depot (illustrated) and low
speed water pick up tests at Werrington water troughs using 60022
Mallard (illustrated). Caption (p. 31) to 34059 at Liverpool Street
is suspect: use of 34059 on Great Eastern section was prior to
introduction of Britannia class. Part 4 (concluding part)
Issue 220 page 40..
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 9.
36-41.
Two incidents which nearly got Hardy into very serious trouble are
described. Both related to the unsatifactory boiler washout and maintenance
at Stratford mpd and could have led to boiler explosions. The first involved
L1 (7720?) failed at Waltham Cross due to broken firebox stays caused by
a dirty boiler which had been stressed through being washed out with cold
water whilst the boiler was still hot. A fortnight later a K3 failed at March
mpd through the same cause. At that time A.R. [Ronnie] Ewer was Hardy's chief
and he had failed to react to Hardy's recommendations concerning the first
incident and both had to report to E.D.
Trask.qhom the writer considered to be very astute and very fair. The
serious nature of this incident is emphasised by Hardy noting that Carl
Schlagel's career as District Locomotive Superintendent at Gateshead had
been ruined through boiler problems with the A1 Pacifics and the high-pressure
4-6-4 and he was reduced to Assistant District Locomotive Superintendent
at New England..Noted that David William [Bill] Harvey at Norwich was the
"best practical locomotive engineer" in his experience, but "loathed
interference". Rupert L. Verecker became District Locomotive Superintendent
at Norwich: he had formerly been at Ardsley and before that Superintendent
of the Crimpsall in Doncaster Plant. He was a great character with a trim
fierce little moustache and wore a Trilby. He was 61 when appointed to Norwich.
"He was said to be of Irish stock and a relative of Field Marshal Lord Gort".
A typical Hardy anecdote tells how Verecker stepped onto the footplate of
a Britannia at Ipswich which had lost time from Norwich to be informed by
Driver Bert [A.E.] Jones "Just get of my bloody engines, it's time we weren't
here."
Batten, Reg. Enjoying the GWR in wartime. 42-5.
Illicit WW2 photography in the Ruabon area. Kept his camera in his
armourer's toolbox in the guard room and used his field dressing pocket to
conceal his camera when in transit. Describes delights of Tanat Valley Railway
and its motive power which is illustrated.
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me. 46-7.
The emergence of the railway enthusiast, Moore's Monthly Magazine
began in January 1896 became The Locomotive with the formation
of the Locomotive Publishing Company, and rhe history of it until its demise
within the Ian Allan group. Formation of The Railway Magazine and the Railway
Club and the involvement of Henry Greenly and Bassett-Lowke. Anecdote of
how George Dow and his son acquired six F. Moore "paintings" in 1956, threee
of which were used in Great Central history. E.R. Wethersett photograph of
office at 3 Amen Corner on 29 June 1934 (this was subsequently bombed and
demolished. Also notes the assocation of W.J. Bell, W.J. Reynolds, J.E. Kite,
Rudd (F. Moore) and K.A.C.R. Nunn.
Treloar, Peter. A jolly good wheeze. 48-55.
Black & white photo-feature of LNWR 0-8-0s throughout their
long history: cites J.R. Gregory's L.N.W.R. eight-coupled goods engines
(Ottley 6373). No. 1811 (as class C1?); Webb three-cylinder compound (Class
A) No. 1879; Class B four-cylinder compounnd No. 1432; Class E 2-8-0 (compound)
No. 1222; two class B compound 0-8-0s heading coal train through Harrow (nichname
of Swammies); class F 2-8-0 No. 1273 (Crewe official photograph); G2 No,
253 climbing away from Oxenholme with freight (H. Gordon Tidey excellently
reproduced); LMS No. 9454 (G2 with Belpaire boiler); ROD 1639 and 2014 at
St. Omer (Class G); G2A passing 8F No. 48420 at Bletchley; G2A No. 49125
with tender cab at Bescot; and G2A No. 49064 on Brynmawr to Barry Island
excursion on 28 July 1957.
Evans, Patrick. 24 hours in Swansea. 56-60.
Shed bashing from Neath (both sheds) via Danygraig and the rest to
Carmarthen and back to Llandudno via Crewe: all on 13 June 1959.
Reviews. 64.
Eastern steam in retospect. Eric Sawford. Sutton. MH
"captions are brief, but helpful"
Railway identity, design and culture. Keith Lovegrove. Lawrence King,
MH
Design from 1930s to date.
The heyday of Eastleigh and its locomotives. Tony Molyneux and Kevin Robertson.
Ian Allan. MH.
Commends high reproduction standard: "fine colour album"
Holley, Mel. 'The White Rose': stability in a changing
world. 4-5.
Editorial on King's Cross to Leeds service: from the very fast service
provided by the GNR in the 1900s, through the slower journeys offered by
the Eastern Region, later greatly speeded up with Pacific power and then
with the Deltics to the 2hr 15 min service offered by GNER on its Eurostar
trains marketed as The White Rose. Col. illus.: immaculate A4 60007
Sir Nigel Gresley departing King's Cross on down White Rose on
27 April 1963 (K.L. Cook).
Alcock, William J. Of Castles, Kings and Counties...
8-14.
In an earlier article in Issue 191 page 20
the author described his epic journeys from the Clyde
to Plymouth in connection with his training as a Naval engineer. In this
feature he examines locomotive performance on the Great Western/Western Region
in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Compared with what he had read about in
material by C.J. Allen and O.S. Nock describing locomotive work in the 1920s
and 1930s he found lack-lustre performance, especially in comparison with
that on the Southern being performed by the Bulleid Pacifics. However, from
1954 the old spirit returned to a rejuvenated Western Region, and rare earlier
sparkling performances are also noted, including one or two by the County
class..
Fisher, Bruce. Sixteen and steaming! [working
on the footplate at Northwich shed]. Part 2. 16-21.
Became a passed cleaner not long after his 16th birthday, and was
promoted to fireman soon afterwards, just in time for a few firing turns:
three with 8F class between the ICI sidings at Northwich and Tunstead with
fully braked bogie hoppers for/of limestone (he describes the sense of awe
at the vast wight of train to the rear on the return working). He and an
inexperienced driver describe the fun they had working a Britannia-hauled
parcels train between Preston and Crewe!
Sprinks, Neil. 1955: an enthusiast's year.
22-7.
Whilst KPJ was getting his service in Neil was enjoying himself mainly
in South East England, but also on the Isle of Man, in Ireland, Belgium and
Switzerland. Even the ASLEF strike which was to have far-reaching consequences,
caused only minor inconvenience to our writer and photographer: The photographs
chart some of Neil's happy momemnts:Franco-Crosti 9F 92025 polluting the
superior atmosphere south of Harpenden on 12 November 1955 on up freight
(caught in light of low afternoon sunshine); Isle of Man No. 12 Hutchinson
on cattle train on Isle of Man Railway at Sulby Glen station in July
1955; London Transport L44 approaching Wembley Park with Railway World
special on 21 May 1955; slip coach foor Reading at Bristol Temple Meads;
three R1 0-6-0Ts as head of up boat train at Folkestone Harbour on 11 April
1955 (31340 leading); two T9 (30301 and 30732) on Hampshire railtour on 6
February 1955 at West Meon; Belgian National Railways CR-type 0-6-0 41.176
leaving Ghent on 2 October 1955 and R class 0-4-4T at Tunbridge Wells West
with Oxted push & pull
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me. 28-9.
Difficulties caused by break of gauge between standard gauge and narrow
gauge railways. This was most marked with freight and Andrew suggests that
narrow gauge lines now exist merely to give their customers a ride.
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 10. 34-9.
Stratford depot acquired several former LTSR section 4-4-2Ts which
the men refused to handle because of their inferior injectors. Terry Miller
and Hardy with the practical assistance of Les Thorn fitted 41949 with Great
Eastern type injectors, but unauthorised locomotive modification was a cardinal
sin but this was cleared with the assistance of E.D. Trask. The virtues and
vices of the steam reversers on the Tilbury tanks are also noted. Illus.
of preserved No. 80 Thundersley with team which prepared locomotive
to work Centenary special on 3 March 1956 (R.C. Riley). Reminiscences of
Stratford depot, including Driver George Morris. Morris was at Southend depot
where one of its Shed Foreman, Eric H. Baker should have become Motive Power
Superintendent of the LMR, but for reorganization. Geoffrey Ford, District
Running & maintenance Engineer at Norwich when Chief Running Foreman
at Stratford had drawn railway cartoons, come of which appeared in the
Railway Gazette. A very fast bunker-first run on a V1 or V3 down
Billericay bank with Syd Fulcher driving in 1945 is also noted, as is the
excellence of this locomotive type.
Cattermole, William. Motivated by steam. Part 4.
40-4.
Became a shedmaster at several mainly former LNER motiive power depots
on the Eastern Region. In some prefactory remarks he considered that ex-LNER
shedmasters were "better off" than their former LMS counterparts. Furthermore,
on the former Great Western shedmasters tended to be promoted from footplate
staff who lacked the technical skill of those on the Eastern. Several anecdotes
recount how trains were kept running by making rapid repairs, usually at
the expence of disruption to domestic affairs. During his courtship to the
French lady who became his wife he was called from the cinema in St Albans
to attend to a locomotive breakdown on the line from Hatfield to Luton. There
were incidents with breakdown cranes. Whilst at Retford he was able to use
his garage tools to repair the Gresley conjugated valve gear on a K3 class
2-6-0 and prevent delays to the following sleeping car expresses. He writes
sounding pleased when the locomotive used for the Southwell push & pull
demolished its shed and one sub-depot was eliminated! Mutual improvement
classes and ambulance work conclude this interesting series.
The Colin Walker years... Part 1. 46-50.
Photo-feature (b&w):
Paye, Peter. A summer weekend at Ryde shed.
52-6.
It was relatively small, but the Motive Power Depot at Ryde, Isle
of Wight, was no less busy than mainland sheds, especially during the height
of the holiday season. Former railway manager describes the locomotives'
duties and how the service was maintained on a summer weekend in the 1960
season.
Jordan, Peter. A signalman's perspective.
58-61.
Jeffery Grayer's article in Issue 212 page 8
generated much interest and correspondence. In a follow-up Exeter West
Group chairman, and founder of the 1982 project to preserve the signalbox
explains the special procedures used by signalmen concerning the working
of banking engines up the steep incline between Exeter St. David's and Exeter
Central.
Call attention. Mel Holley.
Mirfield 'Britannia' then movved to work Copy Pit coal 'empties'!
No. 70015 at Rose Grove on 1 June 1967 (Mike Taylor photograph).
Winchester's 'shed for one'.
John Scrace submitted photograph of B4 0-4-0T No. 30102 in its shed
at Winchester City.
More steam in appalling weather...
Mick Reynolds photograph taken from ikonic Pelham Bridge, Lincoln,
of Class 4 2-6-0 hauling freight through Linvcoln Central in mist and
snow
...but it could also be good!
G.P. Cooper submitted contrasting pictures of A2 60528 Tudor Minstrel
on rail tour gliding down from Falahill towards Gorebridge with a railtour
in bright sunshine on 23 April 1966 with A1 60142 Edward Fletcher
departing York in the mist on 30 October 1964.
While London slept, 'Panniers' worked
Refers back to Steam Wld November 1999: Alistair Nisbet (normally
resident in another siding) submitted three colour snaps of 57XX 0-6-0PTs:
L90 at Watford on 19 June 1969 (badly contrajour); L94 passing through Barbican
station on 6 June 1971 on final steam working.
Steam signs survived at Guide Bridge...
Roger Shenton photograph taken at Guide Bridge station in summer 1983
of warning signs at water columns warning of risk of overhead electric
wires.
... and at Plymouth
Peter Fairchild colour photograph of Southern Railway trespass
notice.
Townend, Peter. Their finest hour... 8-14.
Gresley's 'V2' class 2-6-2s were remarkable engines, but despite being
masters of the mixed traffic work for which they were designed, it was not
until a handful were fitted with Kylchap double chimneys that they achieved
their full potential. Former 'Top Shed' King's Cross shedmaster Peter Townend,
explains the difference it made to the engines. Col. illus. 60880 at New
England mpd in June 1963 (Geoff Rixon); 60881 near Brookmans Park on down
empty stock in May 1963 (C.R. Gordon Stuart); ex-works green 60862
on the Scotch Goods at Brookmans Park in April 1962 (T.B. Owen); 60858 on
Sunday 08.40 Peterborough to King's Cross leaving Potters Bar (b&w: Brian
Stephenson); 60817 on 07.05 slow departing Peterborough for King's Cross
in June 1963 (Paul Riley); 60817 at King's Cross on 18 August 1962 (Geoff
Rixon); 60963 on parcels train near Ashby Magna in April 1964 (Roger
Kingshott).
Moore, Geoffrey. A GWR first from an artist fired
by steam. 16-19.
John William Mallord Turner's Rain, steam and speed (reproduced
in colour) of 1844 is a masterpiece which depicts the relatively new Great
Western Railway is renowned, and hangs in the National Gallery in London.
The train is shown crossing a bridge. Moore analyses the work and notes the
strange location of the fire and relates how Turner was observed to lean
far out of the railway carriage during a journey over the crossing of the
Thames at Maidenhead. Moore considers that the locomotive was a member of
the Firefly class.
The Colin Walker years... Part 2. 20-5.
Black & white photo-feature: Preserved Midland compound No. 1000
at Banbury on RCTS East Midlander railtour on 11 September 1960; 2P
4-4-0 No. 40700 leaving Combe Down Tunnel with southbound local train; 46205
Princess Victoria waiting at Carlisle to take over up fish train;
46229 Duchess of Hamilton leaving Shrewsbury for Crewe on express;
46248 City of Leeds viewed from cab between Grayrigg and Oxenholme;
Jubilee No. 45627 Sierra Leone leaving Birmingham New Street for Bristol;
45650 Blake near Wigston with Christmas special for London in 1957:
46228 Duchess of Rutland and 46229 Duchess of Hamilton at Shrewsbury; 46245
City of London departing Peterborough en route to King's Cross on 9 June
1963 with special train; 48328 between Knucklas Viaduct and Llangullo on
southbound freight.
Push-pull farewell. 26-7.
Black & white photo-feature:84007 on Seaton to Stamford push &
pull on 30 April 1960; 84007 at Seaton alongside 41321 on Uppingham
push & pull on same day; and 41214 in Stamford station with push &
pull from Seaton: all T.G. Hepburn.
Dow, George. That reminds me. 28-9.
Railwaymen who were awarded the George Cross for their bravery, notably
Driver Benjamin Gimbert and Fireman James Nightall for their courage at Soham
on 2 June 1944; Guard Norman Tunna of the GWR who moved a blazing wagon to
get it away from an ammunition train during WW2; Driver John Axon who stayed
on his locomotive when the brakes failed on 8F 48188 near Chapel-en-le-Frith
in 1957; Driver Wallace Oakes who received fatal injuries in a blowback yet
stopped his train at Winsford; and James Kennedy who attempted to stop an
armed robbery at Springburn, Glasgow in 1973. Also mentions and illustrates
the War Memorial locomotives: Claughton 1914 Patriot and B3 LNER 6165
Valour are illustrated.
Platform [letters]. 30-1.
Railway CMEs took responsibility for their Department's actions. Charles
Taylor
See Allsopp (August Issue)
I rescued a 'Duchess in distress' on January 2 1962!
David Essam
See Issue 215 page 20: relates
how he fired rebuilt Scot which took over train from 46238 City of
Carlisle when it suffered a firebox failure due to a faulty water gauge
on 24 January 1962.
One trip was quite enough on a ravenous 'Clan'. Owen
Edgington. 31
Writer was fireman on a Clan working through from Carlisle to Washwood
Heath: ran out of coal by Leeds
Lickey bankers could be heard from miles away. John
Cross.
Lived at Belbroughton, about six miles from Bromsgrove station and
could hear bankers at night if the wind was in the "right
direction".
Why the 'I3s' vanished. Ian Dawson
Wrote to J.N. Maskelyne, who was member of BTC panel to consider
locomotive presaervation, to prpose I3, but suggestion was rejected as case
was not sufficiently strong.
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 11. 36-41.
The arrival of the 'Britannias' in 1951 removed Ipswich's top-class
passenger work, much to the disappointment of the shed master at the time.
However, four years later when he returned to Eastern Region, the class was
acknowledged as masters of their task, although not without occasional problems.
Described how 70002 Geoffrey Chaucer had suffered uncontrolled slipping
with the regulator barely open and this led to a broken trailing side rod.
This happened near Newport on a train for Norwich in 1956. Another incident
involved a drawbar pin fracture on 70012 John of Gaunt on a Norwich
(via Ipswich) train: this led to the tender and train being left behind.
Also notes that the firing technique employed at Stewarts Lane was quite
different: a very big fire at the back of the grate, whereas a thin fire
was employed on the Great Eastern. Illus. several of Britannias on the Great
Eastern plus Bill Harvey, shedmaster at Norwich at Calais Maritime with PLM
Pacific on Fleche d'Or with Henri Dutetre, Jules Lebbe, Roger Chabe et Georges
Chatillon..
Hornby, Frank. Those 'forgotten' GWR 4-4-0s...
42-6.
Armstrongs, Atbaras, Cities, Dukes, Bulldogs
and Counties: writer's Hornby County of Bedford
was withdrawn due to flying bomb damage.
Robinson, Peter W. Mishap at Mossband. 48-52.
Little has been published about a serious accident involving a 'Duchess'
during WW2 at Mossband, between Floriston, north of Carlisle and Gretna.
The accident, a derailment happened on 16 May 1944 and three passengers were
killed.involved No. streamlined No. 6225 Duchess of Gloucester. In
his accident report Col. A.C. Trench considered that the cause was deterioration
of the permanent way: a "wet spot"
Skinner, John. A south eastern treat. 54-8.
Ian Allan railtour from London to Dover and Ashford Works on 3 January
1952: Colour illus. (not directly related to text); H class 0-4-4T No. 31518
with carmine & cream corridor set at Paddock Wood on 4 April 1961(K.L.
Cook); N15 30798 Sir Hectimere on Guildford shed (G.H. Hunt); Schools
30934 St Lawrence on Charing Cross to Dover express passing Hildenborough
on 31 May 1958 (K.L. Cook); 34103 Calstock passing Ashford on up express
in June 1960 (Geoff Rixon)..
Great Eastern glories. Ron White. 60-3.
Colour-photo-feature based upon George Powell's photographs: B12/3
61576 on Suffolk Venturer railtour on 30 September 1956; D16/3 62562
(but where was it?); J20 64692 at Long Melford on freight; E4 62791 (tender
lettered "BRITISH RAILWAYS") at Stratford; B17/6 Nottingham Forest
at Long Melford with Cambridge to Colchester train in July 1959; E4 62784
departing Marks Tey for Colchester in July 1954 and J67/1 68616 at Tollesbury
with very mixed train for Kelvedon in June 1950.
Call atention. Mel Holley. 6-7.
A long forgotten railway.
Plate from the Dundee & Perth & Aberdeen Railway Junction
Company (probably from cash bag) and watch fobs from ASRS members,
c1914.
Help Steam Railway recreate a streamlined 'Coronation'!
6229 Duchess of Hamilton in photographic grey as
built.
Look what we found in the shed!
0-6-0ST No. 68013 inside Middleton Top shed on 16 September 1956
(locomotive still carried GWR registration plate No. 252 issued in 1944);
also illus. of exterior of Sheep Pasture Top Incline engine shed.
Another steam age lineside survivor.
Remains of broken cast iron sign on lineside of WCML near
Carnforth.
Ashcroft, Bill. Lazy Sunday afternoon... 8-14.
Snap-happy day: 12 July 1959: Adams 4-4-2T 30583 at Lyme Regis
(colour); 82025 at Sidmouth with p&p set (colour); M7 30045 at Seaton
Junction; S15 30827 on up freight passing through Seaton Junction; another
shot of 82025 at Sidmouth (colour); 34099 Lynmouth (unrebuilt) on
down express at Seaton Junction; 30045 at Seaton (colour); 41318 and 82025
at Exmouth (colour); 34063 229 Squadron shunting milk tanks at Seaton
Junction (colour).
Moore, Geoffrey. Painting a rail revolution.
16-19.
Painting of Skerne Viaduct by John Dobbin (1815-1888). This was painted
for Darlington Borough Council in 1875 (and is reproduced well herein). The
painting was based on a sketch made by the artist in 1825 (the sketch is
now held by the Science Museum). The painting shows Locomotion crossing the
viaduct with its train and spectators below at the opening of the Stockton
& Darlington Railway. Cites John Wall's.
First in the world: the Stockton & Darlington Railway. Skerne
bridge was the work of Ignatius Bonomi (see
Biddle's Britain's historic railway
buildings p.353.
The Colin Walker years... Part 3. 20-5.
Black & white photographs: A3 60048 Doncaster departing
King's Cross with 16.05 for Leeds/Bradford on 7 June 1958; A2/3 60523 Sun
Chariot heading south from Peterborough passing former power station
on up express; K2/2 No. 61771 passing Stathern Ironstone Sidings with Skegness
to Leicester Belgrave Road train fitted with express headlamps; B1 No. 61390
passing Weekday Cross Junction heading towards Grantham with train from
Nottingham Victoria; A3 No. 60107 Royal Lancer viewed from cab on
Great Central mainline; No. 60108 Gay Crusader leaving Copenhagen
Tunnel tender-first; A1 No. 60158 Aberdonian at Grantham with down
express; C12 4-4-2T No. 67379 as station pilot at Peterborough North on 2
September 1957.
Platform. 27
How Boxhill became 'left-footed' in an act
of sacrilege at Brighton. Fred Rich.
Describes with illus. how the axles from 680S (ex Waddon which
had been sold to the SECR in 1904) were switched with those from No, 82
Boxhill whilst 680S was under repair at Brighton Works in March 1949.
680S had received axles with left cranks leading when repaired at Ashford:
thus Boxhill's cranks are not authentic
Mileage figures reveal much about operating practice. Peter W. Robinson.
Calculated on a daily basis stema locomotive mileage statistics were
very low and contrast greatly with current intensive working by TOCs such
as Virgin.
What was a 'Brit' doing at Nine Elms? Robin White.
See July Issue: Merchant Navy was probably 35027 Port
Line
Which BR steam locomotives had the yellow cabside stripe? Keith Gunner. 28
Writer has compiled a list based mainly on photographic evidence of
locomotives which were blighted with a diagonal stripe on the
cabside
Hest Bank vehicles for BR staff. Merfyn
Jones. 29
See August Issue: vehicles in station car park were used to transport
staff to restore the railway after the accident: writer gives full details
of road coaches, S&T tool vans, etc: See Issue 218
pages 32/3.
Duchess of Abercorn's massive slip was caused by double failure. Charles
Taylor.
Refers back to Station interluds (July Issue) and incident caused
by 6234 in 1939 at Watford Junction when it slipped excessively due to failure
of both regulator and reversing gear mechanisms (regulator mechanism was
subsequently modified)
Another 'Duchess' in distress at Hartford in 1944. Terry Webb. 30.
6230 Duchess of Buccleuch was involved in a collision with
a freight train at Hartford on 6 October 1944: based on report in Manchester
Guardian (letter writer misquotes as The Guardian) of 13 October
1944.
'Large Atlantics' banned on M&GN. Jim
Clark.
Refers back to Cattermole's Motivated by steam (218
page 26) where stated that GNR Atlantic used between Norwich and Melton
Constable: argues that must have been a small Atlantic
Davies, Bill. 'RODs' off the road! 32-3.
Illus. of ROD 2-8-0s derailed off the Haifa-Beirut-Tripoli line during
WW2. Shows No. 9726 (later 70726) and Palestine Railway's 36 ton crane
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever. Part 12. 34-9.
70041 dropped two fusible plugs whilst working the 16.36 Liverpool
Street to Clacton: the incident happened on Brentwood Bank and was due to
a combination of a very thin fire and shortage of waterIllus.
(p. 38) Roy Vincent in cab of 70037 with Fred
Griffin.
Gammell, Chris. Hereford & Worcester — weeds and all! 40-4.
Last train from Worcester to Bromyard and on to Leominster hauled
by 4571 on 26 April 1958 (section on to Leominster had been out of usefor
six years). ASlso notes and illustrates travel on freights to Presteign and
New Radnor in 1961 and to Tenbury Wells.
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me... 46-7.
Photograph of George Dow, Information Agent of LNER, in December 1941
with some of his collection of railway heraldic devices.
See also Dow senior's book.
Pollard, Arthur. Buddy Holly, 'Super Ds' and rock 'n' roll. 48-52.
Cleaner at 10A Springs Branch superintended by William Bradley. Bill
Ball, the Foreman Cleaner, had been shedmaster at Lower Ince was in charge
of the cleaners and cleaning Super Ds, J10s and class 5s. Especially dirty
work was involved in getting locomotives ready to go off to works: this involved
using a steam lance to clean the underside of the boiler and the motion.
As the date was 1957 the work was enlivended by the lads "singing" rock and
roll numbers, such as Peggy Sue and Blueberry Hill: they should
have been singing Lonnie Donnegan's Freight train!
Pearse, John. Nameplates, curves and vital
statistics. 54-9.
The essential element was the transfer of the Earl names from 90XX
(32XX) Nos. 3200-3212 (and the non-use of those intended for 3213-3219) to
Castle class 5043 to 5063. The writer questions why the names were not moved
to the Grange class, but there seems to be a consensus that only the Castle
class was prestigeous enough for the name of an earl. Pearse notes the mismatch
in the radius of the plates. Cites G.W. Echo No. 158
(Peter Treloar); No. 159 (Peter Timms) and No. 161 (Michael Hale);
Frank Burridge's Nameplates of the Big
Four and J.H. Russell's
A pictorial record of Great Western engines. Volume 2. Colour
illus. of nameplates of Earl of St Germans, Earl of Dudley, Earl
of Dartmouth, Earl Waldegrave and Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. No
photographs of nameplates in situ on 32XX
(see relevant Great Western locomotive
section). See also letter from Richard Owen (Issue
226 p. 28).
Christmas reviews. 63/5.
Telling the passenger where to get off. Andrew Dow. Capital Transport.
George Dow's diagrammatic maps used inside railway compartments: reviewer
notes the excellent standard of reproduction and the relatively modest
price.
Living steam. Anthony Lambert. New Holland.
'travelogue' style
Westward toward Chicago. Barry G. Price. Artist [print]
Scene is Durand, Michigan in 1955 with three locomotives in the
frame
Railwaywomen. Helena Wojtczak, Hastings Press
Well-researched and well-written
Steam on Scottish metals. George Marsh and Michael Webb. Buggleskelly Books
Pictorial: 1960-5.
Holley, Mel. Style and form were worthy achievements. 4-5.
Station design: noters that Oxford had to cope with more than one
temporary station before receiving a worthy functional station. Notes
that GWR had been halted its station rebuilding programme by WW2, although
Coventry eventually received a station worthy of its status. Also notes the
simple roadside stations designedd for the GWR, notably at Shrivenham, and
still extatnt at Culham.
Call attention. 6-7.
Memories of Colin Walker on a Saturday afternoon. Jack Hodgkinson.
Colin Walker had been taking photographs from the top of the coaling
tower at Rugby mpd: he called on the control room where letter writer worked
and asked if he could clean himself up and change his camera film. Photograph
by letter writer of coaling tower with Flying Scotsman crossing bridge
over WCML in background.
Please return...
Dustbin labelled "LNER return to Macduff station" photo taken 1960
by George Marsh.
Another cast iron sign from Guide Bridge...
LNER notice which states that footpath is for pedestrian use only:
photo taken November 1980.
Riddle of pedculiar 'mixed gauge'.
David Richardson forwarded birthday card (artist Gordon Lees) which
appeared to suggest that broad gauge/mixed gauge lasted into
1950s?
Diamonds are forever.
David Gowing submitted photograph of cast manganese steel diamond
crossings in use at Edinburgh Waverley.
What a change at Skelton Junction!
Bleak scene in 2001 contrasted with freight passing through in
1966.
Camping at Arthog.
Girl Guides at Camping Coach
Mills, Robert. Glimpsed twixt the houses.. 8-14.
Kennington Junction, Oxford. Illus: 30861 Lord Anson passing
Junction with express for Poole on 15 August 1959 (colour: R.C. Riley); 6827
Llanfrechfa Grange piloting B12/3 8528 on WW2 ambulance train on 31
July 1944 (R.H.G. Simpson); American S160 2-8-0 with 25 bogie petrol tank
wagons on 27 July 1944 (RHGS); flood damge at Hinkley South (RHGS); 8720
with freight for Morris Cowley on 15 August 1959 (colour: R.C. Riley);
4003 Lode Star with express for Swansea on 4 July 1949 (RHGS);
5947 St Benet's Hall on 15 August 1959 (colour: R.C. Riley); 73114
Etarre with up freight on 25 August 1962 b&w RCR).
Gowing, David. Sennybridge: the Crewe of Wales?
16-19.
Family holidays were spent in Sennybridge, but the journeys were made
by car which is why train services ceased and the writer found it so difficult
to go spotting at Devynock & Sennybridge. There had been plans, partially
implemented, to construct a line from Sennybridge to Tref-lys (Llangammarch)
on the Central Wales line: work took place between 1865 and 1867. Writer
acquired part of the sign from the Devynock & Sennybridge signal box
and this is now preserved (with the other part). See
also Issue 227 for letter from Mike Evans concerning Territorial Army
activity reached by special train from Stoke-on-Trent, but hitch hiking was
quicker for return journey..
Mimnagh, Jeff. One sunny summer Saturday... 20-5.
Skew Bridge, South of Preston
Platform. 40-
Did Valour hang on for preservation — it was stored for two years until
1949? Neville Stead.
Kept at Duckinfield Works until late 1949
Extra coal, but not that much. David Percival.
See feature
We had fish and eels in engine water supplies! D.J. Fleming.
At St Philip's Marsh, Bristol
Recalling Stoke's hidden treasures. Michael Cox.
Halfax Railfans Club visited the cellars at Stoke station to inspect
and purchase name and number plates in early 1960s.
Recalling Stoke's hidden treasures. Jack Hodgkinson.
How writer acquired the headboard off The Comet and nameplate
Howe off 45644.
The power of the Riddles 'Britannia' 4-6-2s. R. Epton. 41.
Claimed that 70038 Robin Hood reached 103 mile/h at Three Counties
on 16.15 Kings Cross to Cleethorpes in 1962.
Superb Stratford and special trains. .. G.M.S. Carter.
Newburn origins were Great Western... Phil Atkins.
Stanier's home in Rickmansworth was named after that of
Churchward's dwelling in Swindon. This had been built for Joseph Armstrong
and the name bestowed ot it was associated with the North East.
Filming plan hoped that the Ingrow engine would turn on its side. J.
Brassley.
See June Issue: one of drivers at Manningham (an ex-NER man) considered
that springs on NER locomotives were too rigid to permit locomotive to turn
on its side. Also anecdotes concerning choking fumes from WD 2-8-0 in
Ingrow/Cullingworth tunnel whilst track-lifting and use of two 8Fs to haul
Baertrm Mills circus train up to Ingrow East and down into Ingrow
yard.
Filming plan hoped that the Ingrow engine would turn onn its side. D.
Barraclough
G5 involved was 67338. Also exhaust fume tests in Lees Moor tunnel
with A3 60081 Shotover and with English Electric diesel electrics
Nos 8010/11 (the radiator of which froze)
I remember the Hatton banker and the night-time clanking of buffers. D.
Horne.
Memories of Driver Llewely Jones of Aberystwyth shed. Stephen and Heather
Smith.
I remember 'The Locomotive' shop. Philip Evetts.
The Wirral Joint and 'square bashing'. John Bevan.
The Wirral Joint and 'square bashing'. Mike Ledder.
It was full circle at Kirkby for me. P.R. Maddison.
'9Fs' did work Brymbo steel works. D.J. Foster.
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever. Part 13. 28-33.
Illus.: Andre Duteil of La Chapelle mpd in Paris
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me... 44-5.
Forrest, Chris. My Border city of delights. 46- 50.
Bennett, George. Following the Exe. 52-7.
Williams, Alan. Landore's 'silver buffer. man. 58-60.
Reviews. 65
The Tallylyn Railway in colour. R.J. Morland. Author.
Well received.
Dragons in the Channel. Barry A. Thomas. Author.
"interesting story, well told": Barry Railway's steam subsidiary Red Funnel
fleet
Engine sheds in camera. David Hucknall. Sutton.
Along country lines. Paul Atterbury. David & Charles.
Coffee-table book: "this is a good value book"
Holley, Mel. Which was the best British 4-6-0?. 4-5.
Concludes with help of wonderful R.C. colour illus. alongside that
Castles were the best once they had been fitted with high superheat and double
chimneys: 7030 Cranbrook Castle, Sonning Cutting, 19 July 1955.
Call attention. 6-7.
Some interesting oddities at Kennington Junction [Oxford]. (R.H.G.
Simpson).
V2 No. 4852 on 31 August 1941; 4051 Princess Helena with 5017
St Donats Castle (with eight-wheel tender) on 13.45 ex-Paddington
on 27 July 1955; 4972 Saint Brides Hall hauling new 0-6-0PT No. 8451
ex-Yorkshire Engine Co. on 1 September 1949.
Marlow's 'shed for one' (Frank Hornby).
Illus.: 28 August 1960.
Its been a very long time indeed...
Col. illus. of preserved CR 4-2-2 No. 123 passing Farington
Curve Junction heading light engine for Southern Region in September
1963.
A superb book about the LNWR 0-8-0s!
Bibliographical
details (cover reproduced)
Chapman, Michael. Farington Jct: Lancashire hotspot. 8-14.
Spotting jottings in period around 1963 plus superb colour illus.
of the type which other people took: even 90390 came up well in bright sunshine
.
Stead, Neville. Making way for the 'B1s'. 16-18.
Renumbering the Robinson B7 4-6-0s Nos. 61365 to 61396 to become
61702-61713 (there were large gaps in the original sequence) and many were
withdrawn shortly after receiving their new numbers. Illus.: (all B7) 3165
at Retford on 8 June 1947; 61704 (withdrawn) at Gorton in June 1949; 61710
on Sheffield Darnall shed on 11 September 1949; and 61713 inside Gorton
shed.
Forrest, Chris. My border city of delights. 20-5.
Carlisle station: observations from the immediate post-WW2 period.
Illus.: 72000 Clan Buchanan leaving Carlisle with an express for
Manchester/Liverpool on 4 September 1952 (John P. Wilson); LTSR 4-4-2T in
storage at Durran Hill, Nos. 41972, 41974, 41973 and 41971; 28583 at Upperby;
62281 at Canal shed; 46211 Queen Maud approaching from Glasgow on
28 August 1948; 2P 4-4-0 No. 40694 on Workington trai.;
Topping, Brian. Two days to victory. 26-31,
Studied at MIC course organized at UMIST for drivers. One of his
difficulties at learning to drive in the 1960s was the lack of experience
on working passenger trains. Part 2 see 225 page 46
et seq
Skinner, John. A plan for the GCR? 32-3.
The Great Central Railway Association had proposed a diesel-hauled
service from Sheffield to Rugby being worked from thence to London by electric
locomotives; also suggested Nottingham and Leicester service to Birmingham
via Rugby.
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 14.
36-41.
Describes a trial with L1 No. 7740 on a Tottenham to Cambriadge partially
freight which completed the journey without refilling the tank. Noted that
the L1 was really a tank engine version of the K1 class. Also a fairly full
descriptionn of Stratford's Mutual Improvement Classes (MIC). Due to the
involvement of L.P. Parker the classes were hheld in a well-equipped classroom.
Pen portait of Walter Lee who had addressed the august Railway Club on firing
the engine of the Hook of Holland Continetal Express. Illus.: Walter
Lee with "pupils", Driver Harry Woolterton (known as Bungay); Geoff Ford
and M. Magnier at La Chapelle mpd in Paris with 231 E47 Nord Pacific of 1937(Ford
was eventually DMPS at Norwich).
Platform. 46-
No. 46243 City of Lancaster was the last 'Duchess'
to be 'de-frocked'. Terry Webb. 48-9.
With the aid of photographs and extract from Trains Illustrated writer
is able to show that 6226 Duchess of Norfolk lasted longer in its straemlined
form than some commentators have suggested and that 46243 City of Lancaster
was the only streamlined LMS Pacific to receive a BR number; also includes
what was probably last photograph od locomotive in streamlined
form.
Why were Swindon '8Fs' singled out? B. Benford.
50.
Claims that in 1955-7 25 Swindon-built 8Fs were transferred from the
LMR to the Western Region.
When the track wreker arrived at Longmoor. John Heydon.
Illus. taken by former Sapper QMSM at Longmoor in 1947.
How fast did 'Black Fives' really go? K.R.
Phillips.
Examines several earlier claims and suggests 95 mile/h at Elstow on
26 May 1960.
Bad Southern management was responsible for late running. Philip S. Evetts.
The notorious 18.10 Victoria to Uckfield train via Oxted: all was
fine until 1949 with regular footplate crews and Marsh Atlantics; then change
to common user crews who could not manage Atlantics. Inexperienced firemen
on Fairburn 2-6-4Ts led to further trouble. Until rebuilt light Pacifics
became available only K, U and especially U1 2-6-0s capable of keeping to
schedule.
Grayer, Jeffery. The last round-up. 52-6.
Handling redundant steam locomotives at the mpds at Salisbury and
Weymouth in July 1967.
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me. 58-9.
Carriage panels: George Dow commissioned Hamilton Ellis to prepare
24 carriage panels. Noted that George Dow owned three of the original paintings
which had appeared in The trains we loved. Notes that Dow senior ordered
Ellis to paint over the delightful Webb compound 0-8-0 from the original
painting (mainly) of a MR 4-2-2 fp. 160 (note painting does not appear in
paperback version of this book). Includes reproduction of Ellis's painting
of 4-4-0T Craigendoran tank on Craigendoran train passing along Clyde near
Bowling.
Chatman, Peter. In search of Manors. 60-4.
A quest made by road beginning at Hereford and spent mainly at
Aberystwyth.
Holley, Mel. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 4-5.
60022 Mallard arriving Durham station on up express on 20 September
1958 (K.W. Wightman): glorious A4 with burnished buffers and burnished cylinder
heads, so good that only notices the factory chimney emerging from the Kylchap
once the Editorial was read.
Call attention. Mel Holley. 6-7.
A 'shed for one' from the 'Bala and Festiniog!'.
Three illus. of Bala from Michael Ball: 46142 in solitary splendour
in its kennel, 46442 waiting departure on 17.40 (6 August 1964) and castellated
goods shed.
Driving cattle to the heart of the city of Birmingham.
Col. illus from Anthony Treadwell showing bridge with painted sign:
GWR Bordesley Cattle Station
Neat and tidy at Hornsey on the East Coast Main Line.
Similar view (but not identical as different signals are off)
in Alan A. Jackson's Ferme Park,
Harringay and Hornsey Rly Arch. 2005 (10), 4- (p.14): Alan's caption
says almost everything that could be said.
Riddles '9Fs' on the Brymbo branch.
Colin Gifford illus (b&w) of 92074 on empty coke wagons on 19
November 1966.
'Andy Capp' locomotive was quickly reduced for scrap.
Bits & pieces of 41101 painted in Daily Mail red at Derby
on 29 August 1959. (Roger Shenton)
Ballantyne, Hugh. The Somerset & Dorset remembered. 8-14.
Notes how Barbarous Castle followed Beeching's Follies and with scant
regard for "democratic processes" slaughtered the SDJR (and the Waverley
Route): beware Gordon's Darling. Evocative colour illus.: SDJR 2-8-0 No.
53806 climbing towards Devonshire Tunnel with freight on 12 June 1962; 75023
and 73052 pass Midford with Bournemouth-bound Pines Express on 28 April 1962;
SDJR 4F No. 44560 with Bath to Templecombe local leaving Midford on 28 April
1962; 9F 92220 Evening Star with Bournemouth to Bradford train on
25 August 1962; 75071 and 92245 leaving Bath on Pines Express
for Bournemouth on 9 June 1962; 75009 and 92001 at Masbury on Manchester-bound
Pines Express on 1 September 1962; 41291 stopping at Ashcott and Meare
on 09.45 Highbridge to Templecombe on 11 December 1965 (note concrete station
name similar to M&GNR-type extant West Runton); 75023 stopping at Midford
on 9 June 1962; 41291 crossing GWR mainline near Cole with empty stock on
11 December 1965; 75072 with Bath to Templecombe local on 27 March 1965;
82041 leaving Bath Green Park on Templecombe local on 13 November
1965..
Forrest, Chris. My border city of delights. Part 3. 16-21.
Previous part 224 p. 20. As well
as observations at Carlisle in 1954 funds extended to a Runabout ticket,
but most of the hoped-for pregrouping rarities had been replaced by standard
types, especially on the route via Keswick. Illus. all Carlisle (b&w
unless noted otherwise): D49/1 2756 Selkirkshire (apple green) and
blue and silver Duchess 6223 Princess Alice at Carlisle in 1938
(stop-frame colour); 62440 Wandering Willie at Carlsile; red & gold
streamlined 6228 Duchess of Rutland on up express in 1938 (stop-frame
cine colour); 46243 City of Lancaster in June 1956; 60095
Flamingo on 15.37 for Edinburgh in June 1950 (D.T. Greenwood); B1
(not K1 as stated) 61222 arrives Hexham on 8 August 1955 with Carlisle to
Newcastle slow (CF).
Platform. 22-3.
What happened to the RAF's 'treasure trove'? Mike Stanbury.
Battle of Britain class nameplates assembled by police in Theobalds
Road.
My memories of Hadlow Road and a railway introduction. David Johnston.
Drawing by A. Bertha Moreton of station in Wirral, c. 1950
Colin Walker: a truly gifted photographer and teacher. Tony Whittaker.
Writer was pupil of Colin Walker who taught art at Bicester: illus.
of 7029 Clun Castle panned by Walker.
Information sought...U.W.R. Casebourne.
On 9 August 1959 V2 hauled early train from Waverley hit buffers hard
at Glasgow Queen Street.
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 15. 26-31.
Acting instructors for training drivers on diesels.
Myers, Gerald. A spotters' apprenticeship. Part 1. 40-5.
Includes notes on Yeadon branch
Topping, Brian. Two days to victory. Part 2.
46-50.
How writer was inspected to become a driver based at Rochdale in
1964.
Hobbs, Roy (phot.). Tanks and tenders in Wessex. 52-5.
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me... 56-7.
Divisional Manager's saloon, and the driver of 46491, in some corner
of the Division where AD was taken aboard the footplate.
Hicks, Bryn. (phot.). Hiking up from Honeybourne. 58-62.
Colour photo-feature: Catle 5076 Gladiator climbing Camden
bank on 28 December 1963; 3810 on up coal train on 8 February 1964; 6956
Mottram Hall on up oil train at summit of Camden Bank on 1 April 1964;
5018 St Mawes Castle on up express on 8 February 1964; 3805 leaving
Camden tunnel on up coal train on 1 April 1964; 2899 on up oil train on 1
February 1964; 8F 48651 on up coal train on 13 March 1965, and 6910
Gossington Hall on up coal train on 7 March 1964.
Reviews. 65.
Far down the shining line. C.J. Perkins and R. Padgett.
Author.
Questions the value of this book and notes several errors.
LMS Locomotive Profiles. No. 9. Main line diesel-electrics Nos. 10000
and 10001. David Hunt. Wild Swan.
In those dreary post-WW2 years most of us steam-lovers were thrilled
at the prospect of seeing the exciting duo. The reviewer notes the speed
at which the design was introduced and the half hour training for the driver
who took it from Derby to Euston.
Rails in Metroland. Clive Foxell. Author.
Warm review.
London Midland steam in retrospect. Eric Sawford. Sutton
"quality of the images is good"
No. 226 April 2006
Holley, Mel. Express trains' through portions: a lost art.. 4-5.
46245 City of London (red) about to depart Lancaster with down
Lakes Express in July 1963 (John L. Chapman): through coaches for
Barrow-in-Furness, Workington and Maryport; Windermere, and Keswick and on
to Workington in LMS days.
Call attention. Mel Holley. 6-7.
A fine — and fitting — memorial.
Bramhope Tunnel memorial in Otley churchyard to lives of 23 men lost
during construction of tunnel
Maidment, David. 'Lord Nelsons' – a memorable
experience? 8-14.
Record of very indifferent performances ass routine passenger on Southern
Region during 1960s, but vastly superior performance as preserved locomotive
on Settle & Carlisle line.
Boocock, Colin. The missing 'Standard'.
16-21.
Considered that the Class 2 types were capable of performing work
of Class 3 types (which were not needed). Argues that class 4 4-6-0 was not
needed (driven mainly by Western Region antagonism towards use of leading
pony trucks on fast services) and suggested 2-6-0 version of class 4
2-6-4T.
Platform. 28-9.
It's no mystery, this 'Earl is at Shrewsbury's GWR shed.
See Issue 222 page 54
GWR board was 'stuffed full' of Earls. David Alexander.
See Issue 222 page 54;
biography of Collett by
Chacksfield and article by Geoffrey Channon (J. Transport Hist,
1999) for why Earls became Castles.
What's going on here? Quentin Scott.
See Issue 222 feature beginning p. 54 (on p. 56): two locomotives
appear to be performing dubious manoeuvre.
Mystery driver identified. Andrew Dow. 29
Former Camden Driver Ted Padfield recognized with George Cobb and
schoolboy Dow (see Issue 223)
Gravity shunting lasted three more years. N. MacGregor.
At Banff on terminus from Tillynaught.
Krause, Ian. Right to roam... 22-7.
Sought and obtained a lineside permit to photograph melancholy demise
of steam from Braford Exchange and its dismal environs.
Stead, Neville. Furness locomotives in BR days.
30-2.
Photo-feature and notes showing what Stead calls
D5 class of 0-6-0 (but which was
a classification imposed by Rush
Oakwood Library of Railway History No. 35 Supplement), and was
not official: illus: 52494 with original boiler newly ex-Works Horwich in
Workington shed yard; 52510 and 52509 in Moor Road yard; 52499 shunting mainline
stock at Whitehaven station; 52501 with SLS/MLS West Cumberland Rail Tour
on 5 September 1954 at Moor Row and 52494 at Moor Row shed: all except 52494
rebuilt with L&YR Belpaire boilers.
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 16.
40-5.
Duty List Office at Stratford with Bill Cole and Harry Gould pinching
Ipswich locos for Southend service. Illus. of K2 Ragtimer No. 4688 (not as
stated KPJ can still cop off the front buffer beam) approaching Stratford
on 7 August 1932 with excursion for Clacton in penetential looking stock.
Caption notes the strengths and weaknesses of the new arrivals at Stratford
(spartan cabs, lever everse, pull-out regulator, GNR injectors and eccentric
combined vacuum and Westinghouse brake. Latterly the class suffered from
blocked tubes and full ashpans; K3 61815 between Brandon and Thetford (travelling
wrong road, appropriate for Kafka Line) on stopping passenger. Caption notes
that latterly the sparkle went out of the K3s which mystified Terry Miller
who had helped to set valves on class whilst at Doncaster. Also observes
that K5 No. 1863 was an excellent engine except for her rough riding.
Myers, Gerald. A spotters' apprenticeship. Part 2. 48-52.
In Leeds area
Dow, Andrew. That reminds me. 54-5.
Photograph of photographer F.E. MacKay taken by Maurice Earley alongside
LMS mainline in 1924.
Evans, Patrick. Have you got a permit? 57-60.
To visit sheds in West Wales and South West England
Reviews. (all by Mel Holley). 65.
LMS Journal No. 12 & 13. Wild Swan.
Both "books" contain a wealth of detail and fascinating
information.
Pictorial Supplement to LMS locomotive profile: No. 8 – the Class
8F 2-8-0s. David Hunt et al. Wild Swan.
"excellent book"
LMS locomotive profile: No. 8 – the Class 8F 2-8-0s. David Hunt
et al. Wild Swan.
Notes folding diagrams which once upon a time used to be taken for
granted and lack of title on spine, and lack of "precise" withdrawal dates,
but overall excellence
The Royal Visit to Crewe Works. Edward Talbot. Author.
"fascinating book" "deserves to see well" Landscape format. Royal
Visit by King George V and Queen Mary in April 1913.
Holley, Mel. What lessons can be learned from closures? 2-3
Notes on Westerham branch closure on 28 October 1961: this had provided
an excellent and well-used commuter service until closure. The loss was massaged
as £11,600 per annum (seems to be less than a Ministerial flight in
present-day terms!). Line opened in 1881. Illus.: H class 31543 with push
& pull set at Westerham on 3 March 1961.
Call attention. Mel Holley 6-7.
Bulleids DID reach Wimborne.
Picture taken by Kevin Jones of West Runton (Steam World appears
to be able to work miracles with old colour transparencies) whilst
he was journeying along railway byways on a Freedom of Britain ticket in
1960. He was en route from Poole to Salisbury and somewhere beyond Wimbourne
the coach (presumably the one illustrated) gave a terrible lurch and I thought
that it was bound to come off
Do you know what these coaches are?
Chris Davies submitted photograph of race special at Ripon circa 1936
hauled by K3 No. 202. Train was on viaduct over Ure. Leading vehicle was
an ex-NER clerestory, but remainder appear to be lavatory saloons (GER
perhaps).
Now it's 'sheds for two'.
Previous series was 'sheds for one'. Paul Beko picture of Upminster
shed on 27 February 1955 with 58065 (ex-MR 0-4-4T) and 58087; also 58065
on three coach set arriving at Upminster from Romford on 1 October
1955.
Can you shed light on this lamp?
Frank Down submitted colour photograph of "carriage lamp".
Exactly how far north did 'Super Ds' get?
T. Fielding of Glasgow submitted remains of Adox colour transparency
of G2a 49104 on Polmadie shed on 29 July 1961. Detective work in Railway
Observer showed that locomotive had arrived from Carlisle with failed
Clan 72002 on 27 July 1961 and returned home with a train of steel tubes
on 2 August 1961.
Cooper, Peter. The hills were alive... with the sound of steam! 8-14.
Severe gradients: Ilfracombe to Morthoe 1:36; Bath Green Park to Combe
Down 1:50; Abergavenny to Merthyr (parts as steep as 1:37); Cromford &
High Peak 1:14; Werneth Incline 1:27: Atherton Junction to Bolton 1:30, but
1:20 in places due to subsidence; Ribble Docks 1:29
Poynter, Bob. Train working at Exeter Central. 17-22.
Observations made in the 1950s: through locomotive workings from Waterloo
were restored from February 1950: prior to then locomotives were always changed
at Salisbury.
Great shot! 34017 Ilfracome at Wadebridge crossing
level crossing. B.A. Butt. 24-5.
Black & white: Ian James (231 p. 23)
suggest date was March 1954: original caption suggests stopping train
service for Padstow (but there was no intermediate stop).
Platform. 26-
More on Great Western engines overhauled at Derby Works.
D. Fleming, Stan Yates and Horace Gamble.
2021 class Nos. 2106 and 2122 illustrated: Richard Strange provided
a list of those handled between 1949 and 1951.
Mystery of 60107's location is identified. Iain Mackenzie.
60107 Royal Lancer at South End of Willoughby Viaduct: see December
Issue
A steam age sign survives at Carlisle. Peter Boyden. 27
Maryport & Carlisle Railway sign extant at Carlisle.
The TA took me to Sennybridge for summer camp. Mike
Evans.
See feature in Issue 223 page 16 et seq: Territorial
Army activity reached by special train from Stoke-on-Trent, but hitch hiking
was quicker for return journey..
I tried 'panning' a 'Hall' with a 'Brownie'. Iain Colquhoun. 28.
Further photographic miracle at Steam World, but name is not
readable!
Thanks for the memories. Martin Walker.
Writer is son of late Colin Walker, the master photographer
Thanks for the memories. John Massey.
Helpful letter on the bibliographical record of this photographer's
output.
'BoB' nameplates still with RAF. Jim Price. 29
Collection at Bentley Priory, Stanmore, believed to be
extant.
Yes Bulleid 'Pacifics' did indeed appear at Wimbourne.
Mike Warburton. 30
Writer travelled behind 34093 Saunton in August 1959 on Waterloo
to Swanage express which ran via Ringwood, and behind 34107 Blandford
Forum on return journey (also via Wimborne) at end of his
holiday.
Yes Bulleid 'Pacifics' did indeed appear at Wimbourne.
Graham Moore.
Cites Michael Welch Dorset steam which includes illus. of 34045
Ottery St Mary crossing River Stour at Wimborne.
Yes Bulleid 'Pacifics' did indeed appear at Wimbourne.
Robin White.
Services to Salisbury and via Ringwood were both hauled by Light
Pacifics.
Yes Bulleid 'Pacifics' did indeed appear at Wimbourne.
John Stubbington.
As a fireman he had workedd on Light Pacifics over the
route.
Yes Bulleid 'Pacifics' did indeed appear at Wimbourne.
M. Webb.
As a signalman observed Light Pacifics workin on route.
Inspector Horace Emery passed me out. K.M. D'Ath.
When writer was at Plaistow; subsequently writer was deputy foreman
at Plaistow until the depot closure, when he moved to Kings Cross and became
an examining inspector on the Eastern Region.
Colin Gifford: you either love or loathe his work.
Owen Edgington; K. Crowther; J.B. Swinn; Horace Gamble; S. Egbeare and R.
Tacon. 31.
All express their conflicting views which KPJ suspects reflect the
writer's age and perceptions of "railways": nevertheless, most are pretty
good.
'B1' 4-6-0s had other duplicated names too. John
Rowley.
Oribi=Ourebi; Inyala=Nyala; Reitbok=Reedbuck; Stembok=Steinbok;
Chiru=Jairou.
Gifford, Colin (Phot.). Mono momemnts: summer traffic at Manchester
Victoria and Exchange. 32-7.
Evocative images of final years of steam (1966): people on Platform
3 (Exchange) could have been from television series Coronation Street
of that period. KPJ must admit that Colin Gifford's pictures of Manchester
Exchange/Victoria do capture the extreme murk in this former station which
he first encountered in 1948 beginning a six-year period when he routinely
arrived at Platform 3 and departed from Platform 5 on his way to and from
school
Hardy, R.H.N. Stratford forever! Part 17.
38-43.
B1 61048 overdue for washout caused Hardy severe problems as it failed
at Colchester on up express due to the failure of an inexperienced booking
clerk in programming further workings when it should have been taken out
of service. Sometimes it was difficult to persuade the workshops to take
locomotives in for repair and off-beat measures had to be taken. B2 61607
Blickling was in extremely rough condition, so Hardy arranged a fast
ride, semi-fast first stop Chelmsford, for Trethewey (an inspector from Doncaster
Works) with Driver Charlie Parr: 61608 was taken in for shopping. Illus.:
61607 Blickling; K3 61942 (Ian Allen) at Liverpool Street prior to
Dr Ian Allen riding on footplate in 1958; J15 65454 on Epping shed on 16
November 1957 (R.C. Riley).
Percival, David. Chiltern Green logbook: August
1958. 44-50.
Author is so authorative on things relating to the East Coast mainline
that KPJ had assumed that he is far older than KPJ: clearly he is somewhat
younger (also the Chilterns were easier than the Pennines to cycle cross
— personal experience in both cases). Perhaps the most amazi