Prototype Tim Mills' Photos

[John Duffy]

WD 2-8-0 90534 on a coal train near Thornton MPD on 11th September 1961. Home shed had been Thornton Junction since March 1947 and it went to Dunfermline Upper in January 1963 where it was withdrawn in October 1966. (SLS). It went to Motherwell Machinery and Scrap at Wishaw where it was scrapped in February 1967. (BR Database).

The WD was originally numbered 77063 loaned to the GWR Shrewsbury 19/6/43, returned to the WD 30/12/44, formally allocated to Thornton Junc 3/47 which was the date the LNER purchased it from the WD although I suspect it may have been on loan prior to that date. Surprisingly it did not form part of class O7 so there's a query here. Dunfermline 26/1/63.

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If we don't mind jumping back to Thornton for a moment as I have finally laid my hands on the working from the depot that I have. Dated for 1955, so a little earlier than the photos but might provide a little insight into the working lives of the WD's allocated there.

Turn 1 was an 8F (WD) LE to Dundee (specifically Stannergate to the yards there)
Turn 2 - 8F (WD) - to Aberdeen via Dundee
Turn 3 - 2 x 8F (WD) - engine 1 worked one day to Aberdeen via Dundee, then swapped to work to Alloa. Engine 2 did the opposite
Turn 4 - 8F (WD) - worked with Eastfield turn 22 & 23 - via Polmont to Cadder Yard, work as required, finish Eastfield. Opposite days return.
Turn 5 - 8F (WD) - worked with Ferryhill. Aberdeen via Coupar Angus, swap crews, return via Kelty.
Turn 6 - spare
Turn 7 - 8F WD - to Aberdeen via Dundee
Turn 8 - spare
Turn 9 - 8F (WD) - worked with Eastfield - to Cadder Yard and Eastfield
Turn 10 - 8F (WD) engine only - to Aberdeen via Dundee

J

 

[Dog Star]

McIntosh Class 812 57622 on the shed works at Corkerhill on 10th September 1961. It had been at Polmadie since March 1966 and was withdrawn from there in July 1962. It was in store for a period around May 1959. (SLS). It was scrapped at Connels, Coatbridge, in September 1962. (Rail UK).

Brian, please check the dates as given... withdrawn and scrapped 3 years before transfer to Polmadie.

 

[oldravendale]

Thank you Kier and Bill. You've put me on the track of much better particulars which I'll add in precis. Having read the new info it seems that D2432 was a well travelled loco.

Simon. Thanks too for your comments about the bomb in Berkhamstead. You've given me a lot more detail of the possible background to that incident. As I mentioned I'll try to gain some more insight locally. (When I lived a couple of villages away from where we are now one of the locals turned up information about a USAF plane from Cheddington airfield which came down in the field opposite our house - something about which we had no knowledge. Following research a memorial was put up in the village and the pilot of the plane came over for the unveiling. See American WWII pilot returns to England to unveil Memorial to his fallen comrades. Also I was not previously aware of the DH34 crash at Ivinghoe Beacon in 1923 - 1923 Daimler Airway de Havilland DH.34 crash - Wikipedia)

John - thanks for so much more about the WD jobs, all will be added...

Finally, re those dates. Funny how you miss things until someone picks them up for you. The allocation to Polmadie was 1956, not 1966, so finger trouble again. It will be corrected. Many thanks for raising the issue.

Brian

 

[oldravendale]

Princess Coronation 46223 Princess Alice leaving Polmadie Shed Glasgow on 10th September 1961. It was at Polmadie from at least 1948 and withdrawn from there in October 1963. (BR Database and SLS). It was scrapped at Crewe Works during October 1963. (BR Database).





McIntosh 439 class 0-4-4Ts 55221 and 55203 on shed at Corkerhill on 10th September 1961. BR Database and SLS show 55221 as allocated to Keith in September 1953 and BR Database alone refers to it being allocated to Corkerhill from July 1961, alhough both agree with a withdrawal date in October 1961. Rail UK agrees with the withdrawal date and advises the last shed as Corkerhill. It was scrapped at Connels, Coatbridge in September 1963. (Rail UK).

BR Database allocate 55203 to Corkerhill from July 1959 although SLS gives no allocations. Both agree on the withdrawal date of December 1961. Rail UK confirm withdrawal from Corkerhill and agrees about the month but gives a date ten days later. It also went to Connels at Coatbridge for disposal which was complete in September 1963.

Caley Tank 55221 worked out of Elgin (sub shed of Keith) doing service on the branch line to Lossiemouth. The transfer date of July 61 would be correct as this was when the majority of steam sheds on the ex-GNSR network were closed as services turned to diesel. Gordon Highlander was also at Elgin, working the Speyside branch or as Elgin pilot before going to Inverurie for preservation. By chance one of the other preserved Scottish locos "Glen Douglas" spent its last year's of BR service at Elgin.




Drummond Class 294 57300 on shed at Corkerhill on 10th September 1961. It had been at Corkerhill since at least 1948 and moved to Hurlford in November 1961 where it was withdrawn in June 1962. It then went to Arnott Young at Troon where it was scrapped during November 1962.



GNSR 4-4-0 No 49 (ex 62277) on shed at Corkerhill on 10th September 1961. It was at Keith in June 1951 and withdrawn from there as the last of the class for preservation in June 1958. It was restored at Inverurie Works and then based at Glasgow Dawsholm Shed until withdrawal in June 1966. It's currently on loan from Glasgow Transport Museum in the Museum at Bo’ness on the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway. (Preserved British Steam Locomotives).

GNSR No. 49 was one of eight F Class engines delivered in 2 batches on October 1920 and June 1921 by the NB Locomotive co. in Glasgow. Along with the externally similar V class they became LNER D40's with 49 becoming LNER 6849. Later renumbered to 2277, it then finally became British Railways 62277.

Ahead of withdrawal it was repainted into faux GNSR livery and ran numerous rail tours far and wide. The livery was always contentious as it wasn't even a reasonable attempt at any of the GNSR liveries, being a bit of a combination of various styles, each of which were equally wrong as 'The Sodger' only ever carried GNSR black livery.

Ten V class locos were built from 1899 of which the last five never entered GNSR stock due to a downturn in traffic. They were sold to the SECR (class G) as they had a loco shortage on the ex-LCDR routes. By 1927 the five ex-SECR G class locos were all withdrawn by the Southern Railway.

Gordon Highlander was also at Elgin, working the Speyside branch or as Elgin pilot before going to Inverurie for preservation. By chance one of the other preserved Scottish locos "Glen Douglas" spent its last year's of BR service at Elgin.



Finally Tim took a number of photos at Beattock Bank on 9th September 1961 which I'm sorry to say are of such poor quality I don't intend to publish them here. Below is an example and I'll skip these unless there's a burning desire to see them.



Brian

 

[John Duffy]

GNSR No. 49 was one of eight F Class engines delivered in 2 batches on October 1920 and June 1921 by the NB Locomotive co. in Glasgow. Along with the externally similar V class they became LNER D40's with 49 becoming LNER 6849. Later renumbered to 2277, it then finally became British Railways 62277.

Ahead of withdrawal it was repainted into faux GNSR livery and ran numerous rail tours far and wide. The livery was always contentious as it wasn't even a reasonable attempt at any of the GNSR liveries, being a bit of a combination of various styles, each of which were equally wrong as 'The Sodger' only ever carried GNSR black livery.

J

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Along with the externally similar V class they became LNER D40's with 49 becoming LNER 6849.

Just checked and ten V class locos were built from 1899 of which the last five never entered GNSR stock due to a downturn in traffic. They were sold to the SECR (class G) as they had a loco shortage on the ex-LCDR routes. By 1927 the five ex-SECR G class locos were all withdrawn by the Southern Railway.

 

[Martin Shaw]

Brian
IMG #2427/8 are most definitely Polmadie, the remainder are Corkerhill. I think I'm in agreement re Beattock unless there's anything unusual.
Martin

 

[Roger Pound]

I appreciated the pictures of 'Princess Alice' (#2764). This was the first Princess Coronation class loco I ever 'copped' as a ten year old in 1947 on a wet night at Nuneaton TV whilst awaiting a connection. It was the same occasion that I saw the 'Turbomotive' 6202 humming through with a Euston bound train. Definitely a night I shall never forget.

Roger.

 

[John Ross]

Princess Coronation 46223 Princess Alice leaving Corkerhill Shed Glasgow on 10th September 1961. It was at Polmadie from at least 1948 and withdrawn from there in October 1963. (BR Database and SLS). It was scrapped at Crewe Works during October 1963. (BR Database).

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McIntosh 439 class 0-4-4Ts 55221 and 55203 on shed at Corkerhill on 10th September 1961. BR Database and SLS show 55221 as allocated to Keith in September 1953 and BR Database alone refers to it being allocated to Corkerhill from July 1961, alhough both agree with a withdrawal date in October 1961. Rail UK agrees with the withdrawal date and advises the last shed as Corkerhill. It was scrapped at Connels, Coatbridge in September 1963. (Rail UK).

BR Database allocate 55203 to Corkerhill from July 1959 although SLS gives no allocations. Both agree on the withdrawal date of December 1961. Rail UK confirm withdrawal from Corkerhill and agrees about the month but gives a date ten days later. It also went to Connels at Coatbridge for disposal which was complete in September 1963.


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Drummond Class 294 57300 on shed at Corkerhill on 10th September 1961. It had been at Corkerhill since at least 1948 and moved to Hurlford in November 1961 where it was withdrawn in June 1962. It then went to Arnott Young at Troon where it was scrapped during November 1962.

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GNSR 4-4-0 No 49 (ex 62277) on shed at Corkerhill on 10th September 1961. It was at Keith in June 1951 and withdrawn from there as the last of the class for preservation in June 1958. It was restored at Inverurie Works and then based at Glasgow Dawsholm Shed until withdrawal in June 1966. It's currently on loan from Glasgow Transport Museum in the Museum at Bo’ness on the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway. (Preserved British Steam Locomotives).

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Finally Tim took a number of photos at Beattock Bank on 9th September 1961 which I'm sorry to say are of such poor quality I don't intend to publish them here. Below is an example and I'll skip these unless there's a burning desire to see them.

View attachment 202521

Brian

Caley Tank 55221 worked out of Elgin (sub shed of Keith) doing service on the branch line to Lossiemouth. The transfer date of July 61 would be correct as this was when the majority of steam sheds on the ex-GNSR network were closed as services turned to diesel. Gordon Highlander was also at Elgin, working the Speyside branch or as Elgin pilot before going to Inverurie for preservation. By chance one of the other preserved Scottish locos "Glen Douglas" spent its last year's of BR service at Elgin.

 

[oldravendale]

Thanks for the info about 49, John, and the extended info too, Dave.

Martin - I much appreciate your correction of the location, and a lovely memory of "early days", Roger. The photos of Beattock will not appear.....

Thank you too, John for the detail about 55221 and the additions for Gordon Highlander and Glen Douglas.

Princess Coronation 46231 Duchess of Atholl on a northbound express at Carlisle Citadel on 9th September 1961. BR Database advises that this loco was allocated to Polmadie from at least 1948 and withdrawn from there at the end of December 1962. SLS agrees on the withdrawal date. Rail UK confirms the loco was withdrawn from Polmadie at the end of December 1962 and that it was disposed of at Crewe Works by the end of November 1963. It also advises that the loco was involved in an accident at Ecclefecham in July 1945 but I've investigated that no further.




Rebuilt Patriot 45512 Bunsen on the 7.5am for Glasgow St Enoch at Carlisle Citadel on 9th September 1961. It had been at Carlisle Upperby since May 1949 and moved to Kingmoor in November 1964 where it was withdrawn in March 1965. (SLS). It was officially a Claughton rebuild, named in late 1933 and rebuilt again in July 1948. Interestingly (for me) I have a photo in my collection taken at Euston by a late friend of the loco in its original Patriot form as 5966 which dates it between September 1932 and July 1934 when it was renumbered and carrying a Camden shed plate. It had left Camden in March 1946 when it moved to Crewe North. (SLS). After withdrawal it went to Motherwell Machinery and Scrap, Wishaw, where it was scrapped by the end of July 1965.



Jubilee 45693 Agamemnon leaving Carlisle Citadel on a Starlight Special northbound on 9th September 1961. This was previously seen at Kilmarnock in post #1710. 45693 was a Corkerhill engine (BR Database and Rail UK) and was withdrawn from there either at the end of October 1962 (Rail UK) or the end of December the same year (BR Database). It was broken up by Campbells of Airdrie by the end of 1963. (Rail UK).





Brian

 

[oldravendale]

Flying Pig 2-6-0 43139 and Jinty 47292 on the centre roads at Carlisle Citadel on 9th September 1961. 43139 was at Carlisle Canal from July 1951, moving to Carlisle Kingmoor in July 1963 where it was withdrawn at the end of September 1967. (SLS). It was scrapped at Motherwell Machinery and Scrap, Wishaw, by the end of February 1968. (Rail UK).

47292 had been at Carlisle Upperby since March 1955 and was withdrawn at the end of December 1962. (SLS). It went to Crewe Works for scrap, completed in August 1963. (WHTS/Railway Observer).



Patriot 45546 Fleetwood (named in July 1938) on the 8.20am Birmingham train at Carlisle Citadel on 9th September 1961 with Jinty 47292 (see above) alongside. The Patriot was allocated to Warrington Dallam in April 1960 and was withdrawn in June 1962. (SLS). It was disposed of at Crewe Works in August 1962.

I love the 'complete Fowler' shot depicting a parallel Patriot and a Jinty. Pat's in this condition were getting as rare as hens teeth by 1961 and I fully understand how the emotion lead the photographer take three shots. I saw one near Frodsham towards the end of the class and by this time they looked very vintage in a sea of taper boilers.



An unidentified Jubilee and Royal Scot northbound on Beattock Bank on 9th September 1961.



Princess Coronation 46227 Duchess of Devonshire on a Glasgow to Birmingham train on Beattock Bank on 9th September 1961. It had been a Polmadie engine since August 1948 and was withdrawn from there at the end of December 1962. (SLS). It was scrapped at Crewe Works by the end of November 1963. (Rail UK).



Brian

 

[oldravendale]

Re Post #2752 and the bombed Duchess of Montrose I've just located this from "Your Berkhamsted for Town and Parish" in October 2010 Published by Great Berkhamsted Parochial Church Council. Registered charity no 1130108 Printing by Connekt Colour, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted HP4 1EH. See https://www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/archive/magazine/2010/10/yb01.pdf. I'm including this as a matter of research. I believe the possibility of two bombs falling on Berkhamsted in 1940 is vanishingly unlikely.

"In November 1940 an event took place about half a mile away which showed that these statues were not as safe from enemy bombing as had previously been thought. A former resident of Ellesmere Road wrote in 1980 her memories of the night the Ivy House Lane Bridge was bombed. ‘The bombers were going overhead all night on their way to bomb Coventry. On the way back one of the planes appeared to get lost and dropped its missiles onto the railway which ran parallel with our houses, evidently following the lights of a moving train.

"The little bridge that spanned the lines blew up… The bridge received a direct hit. It was blown apart leaving a gaping hole and cutting us off from the easy access to the allotments and the church.’ Percy Birtchnell states in his Short History of Berkhamsted that a train was derailed but no one suffered serious injury. The destruction of the bridge features in the minutes of a Sunnyside Parochial Church Council meeting held on 7th December 1940 at 3pm under the item ‘Sunnyside Bridge': 'The disappearance of the Sunnyside Bridge due to enemy action had received attention from the Vicar and churchwardens who had written the L.M.S. Railway explaining that the major part of the parish was cut off from the church and asking that the Bridge should be reconstructed at an early date. A reply had been received stating that the whole question had been referred to the Ministry of Transport who would decide whether a bridge would be erected or not. It was stated that the Allotment holders were also appealing to the Ministry of Transport.’

"In order for parishioners of Hall Park, Swing Gate Lane and the Ellesmere Road area to reach the church a long detour was necessary via Gravel Path through the allotments, through Meadway or by approaching from the Common. Earlier a level crossing from Bank Mill Lane by Rose Cottage led to a track, which met Ivy House Lane in the dip half way up the lane. This had probably already fallen out of use by this time. Since the bridge does not receive further mention in the minutes for a number of years it is to be assumed that the temporary footbridge, which replaced the damaged bridge, was erected in the next few months. However, it was eight years, in 1948, before the road bridge was finally replaced. We turn again to the minutes of the PCC, October 4th 1948. ‘In answer to a letter from the Council to the Chief Engineer, a reply was received stating, it was hoped, conditions being suitable, to finish the bridge the week before Christmas.' By that time the visiting statues from London had been back in their rightful places for several years! yB"

Brian

 

[Lyndhurstman]

Fascinating stuff, Brian. I do like a bit of social history to give context to my railway interest.

Cheers

Jan

 

[SimonT]

That will be 14/15 November then.

 

[oldravendale]

That will be 14/15 November then.

That's too obtuse for me, Simon....?

 

[daifly]

That's too obtuse for me, Simon....?

"In November 1940 an event took place about half a mile away which showed that these statues were not as safe from enemy bombing as had previously been thought. ..... ‘The bombers were going overhead all night on their way to bomb Coventry.

14/15 November 1940 - The Coventry Blitz!

Dave

 

[oldravendale]

Thank you, Dave - and to Simon for detailing the date.

 

[Roger Pound]

Quite co-incidental that the two occasions referred to in the 'Bomb Saga', #2752 et seq.,refer to Luftwaffe raids on Coventry. My late father-in-law's farm lay on the 'return' route for the raiders, I understand. As said above, as enjoyable bit of history in both instances.

Roger

 

[oldravendale]

Thanks for the comments, all, about the bombing raid on Berko. It all fits together quite nicely now.

Crab 2-6-0 42880 waiting to leave and then leaving Beattock Yard on 9th September 1961. It was allocated to Hamilton (West) in February 1949 and stayed there until October 1961 when it moved to Hurlford in October 1961 and finally Ayr in January 1963 where it was withdrawn in November 1964. (SLS). It was scrapped at Cowlairs Works by the end of the year. (Rail UK).

42880 Crewe 11/6/30, St Rollox 5/7/30, Corkerhill 8/2/36, Kingmoor 15/4/39, Hamilton 19/2/49, Hurlford 7/10/61, Ayr 9/2/63, Wdn 27/11/64.





Two Crabs here, 42880 (see above for details) and 42899 awaiting bankers in Beattock Yard on 9th September 1961. 42899 had been allocated to Carlisle Kingmoor since 1948 and was withdrawn in December 1962. (SLS). It was scrapped at J McWilliams, Shettleston, by the end of November 1963. (Rail UK).

42880 Crewe 11/6/30, St Rollox 5/7/30, Corkerhill 8/2/36, Kingmoor 15/4/39, Hamilton 19/2/49, Hurlford 7/10/61, Ayr 9/2/63, Wdn 27/11/64.



Black 5 45173 on a Class C fitted freight leaving Beattock Yard on 9th September 1961. This had been at Carstairs since March 1956 and was withdrawn in July 1964. (SLS). It went to Arnott Young, Old Kilpatrick for disposal which was completed in November the same year. (BR Database).

45173 went new to Carlisle 31/8/35 although which shed is open to question but thereafter always a Northern Division or ScR engine. Wdn 23/7/64.



Standard Class 5 73008 on an up parcels leaving Beattock Yard on 9th September 1961. This was at Perth South and had been since April 1952. It was then allocated to Aberdeen Ferryhill in August 1964 and was withdrawn in September 1965. (SLS). There's also a supposed allocation to St Blazey in September 1963 but I believe this to be erroneous. It went to Motherwell Machinery and Scrap for disposal which was completed by the end of the year. (BR Database).

73008 Perth 14/7/51, Rugby Test Plant 8/9/51, Perth 22/3/52, Ferryhill 3/8/64, Wdn 20/9/65. No mention of St Blazey nor likely it ever went there.



Brian

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Not railway related but seeing the earlier comments regarding Coventry reminded me I have these two items among my grandfather's papers passed down to me by my dad.

At the time of the air raids my grandparents and dad lived in Coventry (my grandfather was the Corporation's town gas plant/works manager). One is a Home Office booklet and the other a handwritten note passed to householders in the area. My dad an grandparents lived close by in the same street.