Prototype Tim Mills' Photos
- Thread starter oldravendale
- Start date
Martin Shaw
Western Thunderer
Brian
Some minor housekeeping notes.
The captions for #3692 and #3693 are swapped.
Five Hunt class locomotives were modified in 1949-52 with cast steel axleboxes and manganese steel horn cheeks and a redesigned leading bogie similar to that fitted to a Thompson B1. This was an attempt to improve the really poor riding with I suspect limited success. Two of them 62743/4 were permanently allocated to Scotland. 2743 remained at Haymarket for its remaining years in traffic, 2744 moved around a bit, Dundee, Thornton Junc, Hawick. No doubt looking for a sympathetic shedmaster, came there none was I suspect the answer. I have heard directly from former enginemen at both Eastfield and Haymarket that the D49s were wholly disliked which mirrors my own experience of 62712 Morayshire.
For the record,
62743 The Cleveland, York 23/8/32, Bridlington 9/5/38, Botanic Gdns 11/7/38, York 26/9/38, Gateshead 22/11/40, Botanic Gdns 12/5/46,
Haymarket 1/1/51, Wdn 9/5/60.
62744 The Holderness, Neville Hill 12/10/32, Gateshead 13/12/34, Botanic Gdns 9/10/45, York 8/10/48, Dundee Tay Bridge 9/3/52,
Thornton Junc 19/2/57, Hawick 9/4/60, Wdn 30/12/60, Cut up Cowlairs engine 14/3/62, tender 20/2/62.
62705 Lanarkshire, St Margarets 22/12/27, Haymarket 3/43, wdn 30/11/59.
Part of the caption from #3701 which doesn't read quite right,
Also from Yeadon, 67492 St Margarets 4/16, Wdn 2/3/60, Sold to J.N.Connell, Coatbridge 24/5/60.
Martin
Some minor housekeeping notes.
The captions for #3692 and #3693 are swapped.
Five Hunt class locomotives were modified in 1949-52 with cast steel axleboxes and manganese steel horn cheeks and a redesigned leading bogie similar to that fitted to a Thompson B1. This was an attempt to improve the really poor riding with I suspect limited success. Two of them 62743/4 were permanently allocated to Scotland. 2743 remained at Haymarket for its remaining years in traffic, 2744 moved around a bit, Dundee, Thornton Junc, Hawick. No doubt looking for a sympathetic shedmaster, came there none was I suspect the answer. I have heard directly from former enginemen at both Eastfield and Haymarket that the D49s were wholly disliked which mirrors my own experience of 62712 Morayshire.
For the record,
62743 The Cleveland, York 23/8/32, Bridlington 9/5/38, Botanic Gdns 11/7/38, York 26/9/38, Gateshead 22/11/40, Botanic Gdns 12/5/46,
Haymarket 1/1/51, Wdn 9/5/60.
62744 The Holderness, Neville Hill 12/10/32, Gateshead 13/12/34, Botanic Gdns 9/10/45, York 8/10/48, Dundee Tay Bridge 9/3/52,
Thornton Junc 19/2/57, Hawick 9/4/60, Wdn 30/12/60, Cut up Cowlairs engine 14/3/62, tender 20/2/62.
62705 Lanarkshire, St Margarets 22/12/27, Haymarket 3/43, wdn 30/11/59.
Part of the caption from #3701 which doesn't read quite right,
Presumably this should read from Bo'ness dump to Clarkston although I think Yeadon is more likely.
Also from Yeadon, 67492 St Margarets 4/16, Wdn 2/3/60, Sold to J.N.Connell, Coatbridge 24/5/60.
Martin
Martin Shaw
Western Thunderer
Picking up on Arun's post there were a few hire/loan/purchase of SECR P class locos.
1555/1556/1325 were all loaned to the KESR before and after WWII to cover for KESR No3 whilst it was overhauled at Ashford. The terrier eventually became 32670 in BR stock.
When the KESR section of the SReg closed in 1961 James Hodson and Sons of Roberstbridge needed a small locomotive to move grain traffic over their half mile of siding and bought 31556 from BR. This loco is preserved on the current KESR but I don't think it's currently operational.
In June 1958 Messrs Bowaters purchased 31178 from BR and it shunted at Ridham Dock until 1969 when it suffered cylinder damage and was withdrawn. It was subsequently bought as scrap by the Bluebell Railway as spares for their other two P class but usefully included a spare boiler, but has in fact been restored to running order. Quite what that railway does with three small tank engines wholly unsuited to their traffic needs begs a rather different question.
Martin
1555/1556/1325 were all loaned to the KESR before and after WWII to cover for KESR No3 whilst it was overhauled at Ashford. The terrier eventually became 32670 in BR stock.
When the KESR section of the SReg closed in 1961 James Hodson and Sons of Roberstbridge needed a small locomotive to move grain traffic over their half mile of siding and bought 31556 from BR. This loco is preserved on the current KESR but I don't think it's currently operational.
In June 1958 Messrs Bowaters purchased 31178 from BR and it shunted at Ridham Dock until 1969 when it suffered cylinder damage and was withdrawn. It was subsequently bought as scrap by the Bluebell Railway as spares for their other two P class but usefully included a spare boiler, but has in fact been restored to running order. Quite what that railway does with three small tank engines wholly unsuited to their traffic needs begs a rather different question.
Martin
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
Hi Jan @Lyndhurstman and delighted that you found another relatively rare wagon. I'd certainly not have recognised it without your advice. And a good find of those dock tank photos, Rob @Rob R.
Arun and Martin @Martin Shaw. An interesting if short diversion in to a little discussed element of railway history. I remember "Pioneer" well. As for a model of a "Y9" I can find no record of one although it's said that the Hornby "Smokey Joe" was based on the class. Also, Martin, thanks for keeping me on my toes. Those commentaries on the Hunts attached to the wrong pictures are entirely down to me - Tim's notes are correct for each photo so the record is adjusted by way of an edit. I'm so pleased and grateful that someone checks my homework. I've also read that the D49s were not liked by crews as being a really uncomfortable ride. As for #3701 - another error down to me so thanks again.
Dave @Dave Holt . That coal supply is a good spot! I suspect your suggestion is rather tongue in cheek, though. Doubtless a convenient tunnel mouth, and the loco running in the correct direction, would automatically deposit the coal in the correct location.
K3 2-6-0 61933 on shed at Saint Margarets Shed, Edinburgh, on 18th January 1959. The K3 was allocated to St Margarets from January 1948 (BR Database) and was withdrawn in September 1960. (SLS). It was observed intact at Cowlairs Works in 30th January 1961. (RO).
J72 0-6-0Ts 69021 & 69022 in Darlington Station coupled light – that wagon is not coupled – on 31st January 1959.
69021 was allocated to Darlington and was there since April 1951. It went in to store in July 1961 and transfer to West Hartlepool in the following September. It was withdrawn in September 1963 (SLS) before being cut up at Darlington Scrap Yard in January 1964. (RO). The SLS also have a note that the loco was seen in Darlington Scrap Yard on 18th January 1964.
69022 was previously in post #2437. It was shedded at Darlington from new in 1951 and then went to West Hartlepool in September 1961 where it was withdrawn at the end of December 1962. (SLS). It was disposed of at Darlington North Road Works (Yeadons and Rail UK) in February 1963. (Rail UK).
A5 4-6-2T 69842 at the closed Darlington North Road Station awaiting the call to the scrap yard on 31st January 1959. The final allocation for this loco was Thornaby in June 1958 where it was withdrawn the following October. It’s reported as being in store in December. (SLS). It was scrapped at Darlington Works in August 1959.
D49 62754 The Berkeley at the closed Darlington North Road Station awaiting the final call to the scrap yard on 31st January 1959. Along with quite a few others of the class this D49 was allocated to Hull Botanic Gardens and had been there since at least January 1948. (BR Database). It was withdrawn in November 1958 and stored in December. In May the following year the loco was recorded in the scrap yard at Darlington. (SLS).
69864 ahead of it was an A8 Pacific tank last allocated to Whitby in June 1950 and withdrawn in October 1958. (SLS). The SLS also reports it in store in December the same year. It went in to Darlington for scrapping on 12th January 1959, a job completed in February. (BR Database).
Brian
Arun and Martin @Martin Shaw. An interesting if short diversion in to a little discussed element of railway history. I remember "Pioneer" well. As for a model of a "Y9" I can find no record of one although it's said that the Hornby "Smokey Joe" was based on the class. Also, Martin, thanks for keeping me on my toes. Those commentaries on the Hunts attached to the wrong pictures are entirely down to me - Tim's notes are correct for each photo so the record is adjusted by way of an edit. I'm so pleased and grateful that someone checks my homework. I've also read that the D49s were not liked by crews as being a really uncomfortable ride. As for #3701 - another error down to me so thanks again.
Dave @Dave Holt . That coal supply is a good spot! I suspect your suggestion is rather tongue in cheek, though. Doubtless a convenient tunnel mouth, and the loco running in the correct direction, would automatically deposit the coal in the correct location.
K3 2-6-0 61933 on shed at Saint Margarets Shed, Edinburgh, on 18th January 1959. The K3 was allocated to St Margarets from January 1948 (BR Database) and was withdrawn in September 1960. (SLS). It was observed intact at Cowlairs Works in 30th January 1961. (RO).
J72 0-6-0Ts 69021 & 69022 in Darlington Station coupled light – that wagon is not coupled – on 31st January 1959.
69021 was allocated to Darlington and was there since April 1951. It went in to store in July 1961 and transfer to West Hartlepool in the following September. It was withdrawn in September 1963 (SLS) before being cut up at Darlington Scrap Yard in January 1964. (RO). The SLS also have a note that the loco was seen in Darlington Scrap Yard on 18th January 1964.
69022 was previously in post #2437. It was shedded at Darlington from new in 1951 and then went to West Hartlepool in September 1961 where it was withdrawn at the end of December 1962. (SLS). It was disposed of at Darlington North Road Works (Yeadons and Rail UK) in February 1963. (Rail UK).
A5 4-6-2T 69842 at the closed Darlington North Road Station awaiting the call to the scrap yard on 31st January 1959. The final allocation for this loco was Thornaby in June 1958 where it was withdrawn the following October. It’s reported as being in store in December. (SLS). It was scrapped at Darlington Works in August 1959.
D49 62754 The Berkeley at the closed Darlington North Road Station awaiting the final call to the scrap yard on 31st January 1959. Along with quite a few others of the class this D49 was allocated to Hull Botanic Gardens and had been there since at least January 1948. (BR Database). It was withdrawn in November 1958 and stored in December. In May the following year the loco was recorded in the scrap yard at Darlington. (SLS).
69864 ahead of it was an A8 Pacific tank last allocated to Whitby in June 1950 and withdrawn in October 1958. (SLS). The SLS also reports it in store in December the same year. It went in to Darlington for scrapping on 12th January 1959, a job completed in February. (BR Database).
Brian
Last edited:
Martin Shaw
Western Thunderer
Some additional details
61933 Darlington 29/9/34, York 10/11/34, St Margarets 25/4/40, Carlisle Canal 1/10/43, St Margarets 5/3/45, Wdn 16/9/60, Cut up Cowlairs.
69842 Blaydon 31/3/26, Saltburn 25/5/28, Darlington 10/4/39, Saltburn 2/1/49, Norwich 25/2/51, Neasden 11/3/51, Stratford 8/4/51,
Neasden 13/5/51, Darlington 1/7/51, Stockton 19/6/54, West Hartlepool 15/9/57, Saltburn 10/11/57, Middlesbrough 2/2/58, Thornaby 1/6/58,
Wdn 29/10/58, Cut up Darlington.
62754 The Berkeley Scarborough 20/7/34, Hull Botanic Gdns 29/11/34, Scarbororugh 1/7/35, York 28/11/40, Botanic Gdns 8/10/45, Wdn 3/11/58.
69864 Stockton 27/6/35, West Hartlepool 28/2/42, Whitby 4/6/50, Wdn 9/10/58, Cut up Darlington. This loco was a rebuild of H1 class 4-4-4T no 2157 Heaton 2/14, Gateshead 21/8/29, into Darlington for rebuild 12/3/35.
Martin
61933 Darlington 29/9/34, York 10/11/34, St Margarets 25/4/40, Carlisle Canal 1/10/43, St Margarets 5/3/45, Wdn 16/9/60, Cut up Cowlairs.
69842 Blaydon 31/3/26, Saltburn 25/5/28, Darlington 10/4/39, Saltburn 2/1/49, Norwich 25/2/51, Neasden 11/3/51, Stratford 8/4/51,
Neasden 13/5/51, Darlington 1/7/51, Stockton 19/6/54, West Hartlepool 15/9/57, Saltburn 10/11/57, Middlesbrough 2/2/58, Thornaby 1/6/58,
Wdn 29/10/58, Cut up Darlington.
62754 The Berkeley Scarborough 20/7/34, Hull Botanic Gdns 29/11/34, Scarbororugh 1/7/35, York 28/11/40, Botanic Gdns 8/10/45, Wdn 3/11/58.
69864 Stockton 27/6/35, West Hartlepool 28/2/42, Whitby 4/6/50, Wdn 9/10/58, Cut up Darlington. This loco was a rebuild of H1 class 4-4-4T no 2157 Heaton 2/14, Gateshead 21/8/29, into Darlington for rebuild 12/3/35.
Martin
BillyRuffian
Member
Darlington Power Station is visible top right in the pictures of 69021 and 69022. This was the second power station on the site, opened 1940, closed and demolished in the 1970s.
The train shed at Darlington North Road Station where the locomotives were photographed is indeed closed and is now a museum, the roof beams in the shot of of 62754 are visible in several of the slides here. However, the station is still open, the remaining platform is beyond the wall behind the stored locomotives - Tim is looking east, signal gantry just visible far right is shown here. The entry in disused-stations and elsewhere can be rather confusing, as does often list the station as closed.
Are the locomotives beyond 62754 another A8 and an A5?
Paul
Edit following post by Martin: Hadn't spotted that the post said "probably North Road". It is indeed Darlington, formerly Bank Top, looking north from the footbridge, thanks Martin
The train shed at Darlington North Road Station where the locomotives were photographed is indeed closed and is now a museum, the roof beams in the shot of of 62754 are visible in several of the slides here. However, the station is still open, the remaining platform is beyond the wall behind the stored locomotives - Tim is looking east, signal gantry just visible far right is shown here. The entry in disused-stations and elsewhere can be rather confusing, as does often list the station as closed.
Are the locomotives beyond 62754 another A8 and an A5?
Paul
Edit following post by Martin: Hadn't spotted that the post said "probably North Road". It is indeed Darlington, formerly Bank Top, looking north from the footbridge, thanks Martin
Last edited:
Barry37
Western Thunderer
31178 worked at Bowaters (Sittingbourne) in 1953, and was purchased by them in 1958, and named "Pioneer II" – sold to the Bluebell Railway in 1969.
Barry37
Western Thunderer
The small locos (Bluebell, Primrose and Stepney) were useful in the early years. Passenger traffic was much lower, and, when first trains ran, I assume the number of coaches was limited to the length of Bluebell Halt* situated south of Horsted Keynes. And by how many usable coaches the railway possessed.
* I think you could get off there, but I don't recall if there was access from the road.
This was Sheffield Park in 1960 or 1961. The yard was home to two even smaller locos: "Fletcher Jennings" and "Townsend Hook", one of which, wasn't even the right gauge.
Lyndhurstman
Western Thunderer
A tiny little thing, but one that tickles my wagonhead, is that the Tare box on that wagon (lovely detail inside) is seemingly a trapezoid, rather than a parallelogram.
Cheers
Jan
AJC
Western Thunderer
Townsend Hook was the narrow gauge version - I believe it's now at Amberley Museum.
Adam
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
Some more good stuff here. Thanks Martin for details of the locos and to Paul @BillyRuffian and @40057 for picking me up on my comment that the two J72s were possibly at North Road - that was my addition on the basis of the surrounding photos but has now been corrected on the commentary. I have no idea whether other locos in that photo of the Hunt were an A8 or an A5 and Tim's notes give no clue.
Barry @Barry37 - you've beaten me to the comment about the small locos originally on the Bluebell. The preservation of large engines was not on the horizon in the initial years of the Bluebell and the success of preserved railways was never anticipated. I remember that there was a suggestion that a Brighton K (most of which were in good condition when withdrawn) would be good on the Bluebell but was not proceeded with as it was believed to be "too large". And thanks Adam @AJC for the updated info about Townsend Hook. Which reminds me that I'm well overdue for a visit to Amberley.
Jan @Lyndhurstman - another little detail I'd never have picked up without your comment and now carefully preserved for posterity.
Class J71 68312 in Darlington Scrap Yard on 31st January 1959. The SLS record the loco as allocated to Thornaby in June 1958 and withdrawal on 2nd February 1959 so it had reached the scrap yard before it’s official withdrawal date. The Railway Observer advises it was scrapped in March 1959.
Darlington Scrap Yard and awaiting scrap is Y1 Sentinel 68138 on 31st January 1959. The loco was allocated to Ayr in August 1955 and withdrawn on 5th January 1959. I can’t find any confirmation of a scrap date or that it was at Darlington but the photographic evidence proves it. The question in my mind, though, is how did it get from Ayr to Darlington? I suppose it was probably towed in a very slow freight train. The shed plate confirms an allocation of 67C so Ayr was certainly home.
Two photos of K2/1 2-6-0 61749 in Darlington Scrap Yard on 31st January 1959. The final allocation of this loco was Colwick (SLS) and the “40” of the 40E shed plate can clearly be seen. It was officially withdrawn on 27th January 1959 (SLS) so is potentially another arrival at the scrap yard before official withdrawal. Notes on BR Database advise that the loco entered Darlington for scrap on 18th April 1959 although it had clearly been there long before that. The Railway Observer proposes that the loco was seen intact at Darlington on 15th March 1959 and that it was disposed of some time during that year. (BR Database).
A D49 4-4-0 62742 The Braes of Derwent in the Scrap Yard at Darlington on 31st January 1959. This was on the allocation of Neville Hill from October 1950 and withdrawn on 13th November 1958. (SLS). It was observed intact at Darlington on 8th February 1959 (RO) and scrapped the same month. (BR Database).
The J25 65648 cab is the only recognisable item of scrap in this pile at Darlington on 31st January 1959. Only 6?648 is decipherable, but 65648 is the only number which fits and the cab is the correct shape. Assuming this component is from 65648 it was a Whitby engine from July 1957 and was withdrawn in September 1958. (SLS). WHTS reported that the loco was sent to Darlington North Road Scrap Yard and the Railway Observer that the remains were seen there on 14th December 1958.
Brian
Barry @Barry37 - you've beaten me to the comment about the small locos originally on the Bluebell. The preservation of large engines was not on the horizon in the initial years of the Bluebell and the success of preserved railways was never anticipated. I remember that there was a suggestion that a Brighton K (most of which were in good condition when withdrawn) would be good on the Bluebell but was not proceeded with as it was believed to be "too large". And thanks Adam @AJC for the updated info about Townsend Hook. Which reminds me that I'm well overdue for a visit to Amberley.
Jan @Lyndhurstman - another little detail I'd never have picked up without your comment and now carefully preserved for posterity.
Class J71 68312 in Darlington Scrap Yard on 31st January 1959. The SLS record the loco as allocated to Thornaby in June 1958 and withdrawal on 2nd February 1959 so it had reached the scrap yard before it’s official withdrawal date. The Railway Observer advises it was scrapped in March 1959.
Darlington Scrap Yard and awaiting scrap is Y1 Sentinel 68138 on 31st January 1959. The loco was allocated to Ayr in August 1955 and withdrawn on 5th January 1959. I can’t find any confirmation of a scrap date or that it was at Darlington but the photographic evidence proves it. The question in my mind, though, is how did it get from Ayr to Darlington? I suppose it was probably towed in a very slow freight train. The shed plate confirms an allocation of 67C so Ayr was certainly home.
Two photos of K2/1 2-6-0 61749 in Darlington Scrap Yard on 31st January 1959. The final allocation of this loco was Colwick (SLS) and the “40” of the 40E shed plate can clearly be seen. It was officially withdrawn on 27th January 1959 (SLS) so is potentially another arrival at the scrap yard before official withdrawal. Notes on BR Database advise that the loco entered Darlington for scrap on 18th April 1959 although it had clearly been there long before that. The Railway Observer proposes that the loco was seen intact at Darlington on 15th March 1959 and that it was disposed of some time during that year. (BR Database).
A D49 4-4-0 62742 The Braes of Derwent in the Scrap Yard at Darlington on 31st January 1959. This was on the allocation of Neville Hill from October 1950 and withdrawn on 13th November 1958. (SLS). It was observed intact at Darlington on 8th February 1959 (RO) and scrapped the same month. (BR Database).
The J25 65648 cab is the only recognisable item of scrap in this pile at Darlington on 31st January 1959. Only 6?648 is decipherable, but 65648 is the only number which fits and the cab is the correct shape. Assuming this component is from 65648 it was a Whitby engine from July 1957 and was withdrawn in September 1958. (SLS). WHTS reported that the loco was sent to Darlington North Road Scrap Yard and the Railway Observer that the remains were seen there on 14th December 1958.
Brian
Last edited:
Ian@StEnochs
Western Thunderer
Very interested to see Sentinel 68138 which had previously been at Ayr. This engine replaced a similar one No 47182 which arrived sometime in the 1940's. The Sentinels were known by the drivers as the 'Chip Cairt' and a bit of a cushy number, a wee bit too warm in the Summer but just right in the Winter!
They were used to shunt the South Harbour branch , known locally as the Burns Laird, and fish dock siding. The branch crossed the River Ayr on a curving, lightly built, steel girder bridge which in it's later days could not take anything very heavy. All gone now of course with the only visible remnants being some of the stone piers in the river and a few rails on the harbourside.
One wonders as to why take the trouble to transfer the engine to Darlington when on the way they would pass Kilmarnock works where engines were still being broken up.
Ian
They were used to shunt the South Harbour branch , known locally as the Burns Laird, and fish dock siding. The branch crossed the River Ayr on a curving, lightly built, steel girder bridge which in it's later days could not take anything very heavy. All gone now of course with the only visible remnants being some of the stone piers in the river and a few rails on the harbourside.
One wonders as to why take the trouble to transfer the engine to Darlington when on the way they would pass Kilmarnock works where engines were still being broken up.
Ian
Barry37
Western Thunderer
Rather odd – would've thought there was a stencil for marking the black patch outline. The wagon seems to be a wartime GWR O37 or O38.
Arun Sharma
Western Thunderer
I'm sure I've seen a published photo [? in an Atlantic/Backtrack/Pendragon publication] of ex-LNER Sentinel bodies at ?probably Darlington being used as railwaymens' "bothies". That might explain a disparity between withdrawal and actual completion of scrapping dates.
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
Hello Arun. You are quite correct. Here's a photo I took at Darlington Scrap Yard on 3rd October 1964. These are 68180 and 68149.
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
Thank you Ian for your further info about the Sentinels at Ayr. Extra and previously unknown information to me and added to the photo file.
Darlington Scrap Yard on 31st January 1959. This is quite a difficult one – the boiler of the main subject of the photo is identified by neat stencil as 5854, J27, 24478 which I initially believed was possibly 65854 and certainly a J27 fits the scenario. However 65854 was not withdrawn until the end of 1963 so probably not that one. I’m just wondering whether the identification on the boiler could be because it’s been reserved to go on the putative 65854 when that visited works or could that number be the Works Number?
A loco in the background that can be identified is J72 68712 which was allocated to Thornaby in June 1958 and withdrawn in January 1959. The Railway Observer confirms this was sent to Darlington Works and scrapped in February 1959. The final identifiable component is the bunker from G5 0-4-4T 67246. There’s nothing to help us about this one in WHTS but the SLS advises the loco was allocated to Sunderland in January 1957, was stored in August 1958 and was withdrawn in November the same year so we at least have documentary evidence that it went to Darlington for disposal.
A member of a long lived GER Class this is J66 Departmental No 36, capital stock number 68378, at Stratford MPD on 8th March 1959. It was withdrawn from capital stock at Cambridge where it had lived since January 1949 in September 1952. In November 1952 it was renumbered 36 as a service loco at Stratford Works. (BR Database). There are no records on WHTS for the J66 class but a bit of digging found Locomotives Class J66 which agrees with the start date of its second life as a service loco and also advises a withdrawal date from service stock of January 1959 so at the time of the photo it was withdrawn and it seems very unlikely that it was moved anywhere other than Stratford for scrapping.
Class D15 62582 at Stratford MPD on 8th March 1959. The final shed for this loco was Cambridge where it was allocated in November 1958 and withdrawn at the beginning of January 1959. (SLS). BR Database advises it was scrapped in April 1959 and the SLS that it was seen in Stratford Works awaiting cutting up on 2nd April 1959. Regrettably there are no records for the D15 Class in WHTS so I can find no confirmatory data.
Brian
Darlington Scrap Yard on 31st January 1959. This is quite a difficult one – the boiler of the main subject of the photo is identified by neat stencil as 5854, J27, 24478 which I initially believed was possibly 65854 and certainly a J27 fits the scenario. However 65854 was not withdrawn until the end of 1963 so probably not that one. I’m just wondering whether the identification on the boiler could be because it’s been reserved to go on the putative 65854 when that visited works or could that number be the Works Number?
A loco in the background that can be identified is J72 68712 which was allocated to Thornaby in June 1958 and withdrawn in January 1959. The Railway Observer confirms this was sent to Darlington Works and scrapped in February 1959. The final identifiable component is the bunker from G5 0-4-4T 67246. There’s nothing to help us about this one in WHTS but the SLS advises the loco was allocated to Sunderland in January 1957, was stored in August 1958 and was withdrawn in November the same year so we at least have documentary evidence that it went to Darlington for disposal.
A member of a long lived GER Class this is J66 Departmental No 36, capital stock number 68378, at Stratford MPD on 8th March 1959. It was withdrawn from capital stock at Cambridge where it had lived since January 1949 in September 1952. In November 1952 it was renumbered 36 as a service loco at Stratford Works. (BR Database). There are no records on WHTS for the J66 class but a bit of digging found Locomotives Class J66 which agrees with the start date of its second life as a service loco and also advises a withdrawal date from service stock of January 1959 so at the time of the photo it was withdrawn and it seems very unlikely that it was moved anywhere other than Stratford for scrapping.
Class D15 62582 at Stratford MPD on 8th March 1959. The final shed for this loco was Cambridge where it was allocated in November 1958 and withdrawn at the beginning of January 1959. (SLS). BR Database advises it was scrapped in April 1959 and the SLS that it was seen in Stratford Works awaiting cutting up on 2nd April 1959. Regrettably there are no records for the D15 Class in WHTS so I can find no confirmatory data.
Brian
Martin Shaw
Western Thunderer
Brian
In reverse order,
The D15 class were extinct by 1952 all of them having been rebuilt into Class D16/1/2/3 depending on boiler type. 62582 is a D16/3 on account of its round top firebox having been so rebuilt 1/10 - 16/12/39 at Stratford.
62582 Cambridge 4/10, King's Lynn 1/6/47, Cambridge 2/11/58, Wdn 1/1/59, Cut up Stratford.
68378/36 Cambridge 6/88, King's Lynn 21/4/34, March 4/4/36, Ebbw Vale 12/36, Stratford 13/5/38, Colchester 4/3/36, Stratford 8/8/48,
Cambridge 8/1/49, South Lynn 7/9/49, Stratford Works 15/9/52, Wdn 9/1/59, Cut up Stratford.
Re the Welsh adventure, six of the class 7298,7301/7/9/10/24 were hired to Robert McAlpine in Dec 36 for a contract to build Ebbw Vale steel works, returning to the LNER in mid 1938. Four others, 7278/87 and 7303/8 were sold direct for the same reason. They must have been surplus to the railway as BR acquired eighteen of them, seven of which were never renumbered and the last capital stock one wdn in 1955, the service stock ones lingering a bit longer.
Chasing boiler numbers is a recipe for madness however 65854 had a replacement type 57A boiler number 24515 on 13/2/59. So far good however this was reportedly from 65800 except that loco wasn't scrapped until 9/62 so it isn't that one in the photo either. 24478 is definitely a boiler number in the J26/7 series however I have no cross referencing and I don't propose to start.
Having typed the above sentence I was idly flicking through Yeadon and guess what boiler number 24478 leap out at me from the list of boilers fitted to 65811 on 14/4/60, and it had come from J26 no 65748 which was withdrawn on 15/1/59 and cut up at Darlington. I think this fairly positively identifies the loco being turned into razor blades. Confusingly prior to being fitted to the J26 on 10/9/55 it had been fitted to J27 65854 although Yeadon doen't confirm this in both directions. I hope that makes some sense. I believe the painted references are to the fact that it is boiler number 24478, it will fit a J27 and that the previous member of that class it had been on was 65845. That I have identified it on a J26 in between times might be irrelevant in Darlington works then.
67246 Blaydon 6/94, Heaton 10/3/38, South Blyth 17/7/49, Blaydon 16/10/55, Copley Hill 16/12/56, Sunderland 20/1/57, Wdn 27/11/58,
Cut up Darlington.
Regards
Martin
In reverse order,
The D15 class were extinct by 1952 all of them having been rebuilt into Class D16/1/2/3 depending on boiler type. 62582 is a D16/3 on account of its round top firebox having been so rebuilt 1/10 - 16/12/39 at Stratford.
62582 Cambridge 4/10, King's Lynn 1/6/47, Cambridge 2/11/58, Wdn 1/1/59, Cut up Stratford.
68378/36 Cambridge 6/88, King's Lynn 21/4/34, March 4/4/36, Ebbw Vale 12/36, Stratford 13/5/38, Colchester 4/3/36, Stratford 8/8/48,
Cambridge 8/1/49, South Lynn 7/9/49, Stratford Works 15/9/52, Wdn 9/1/59, Cut up Stratford.
Re the Welsh adventure, six of the class 7298,7301/7/9/10/24 were hired to Robert McAlpine in Dec 36 for a contract to build Ebbw Vale steel works, returning to the LNER in mid 1938. Four others, 7278/87 and 7303/8 were sold direct for the same reason. They must have been surplus to the railway as BR acquired eighteen of them, seven of which were never renumbered and the last capital stock one wdn in 1955, the service stock ones lingering a bit longer.
Chasing boiler numbers is a recipe for madness however 65854 had a replacement type 57A boiler number 24515 on 13/2/59. So far good however this was reportedly from 65800 except that loco wasn't scrapped until 9/62 so it isn't that one in the photo either. 24478 is definitely a boiler number in the J26/7 series however I have no cross referencing and I don't propose to start.
Having typed the above sentence I was idly flicking through Yeadon and guess what boiler number 24478 leap out at me from the list of boilers fitted to 65811 on 14/4/60, and it had come from J26 no 65748 which was withdrawn on 15/1/59 and cut up at Darlington. I think this fairly positively identifies the loco being turned into razor blades. Confusingly prior to being fitted to the J26 on 10/9/55 it had been fitted to J27 65854 although Yeadon doen't confirm this in both directions. I hope that makes some sense. I believe the painted references are to the fact that it is boiler number 24478, it will fit a J27 and that the previous member of that class it had been on was 65845. That I have identified it on a J26 in between times might be irrelevant in Darlington works then.
67246 Blaydon 6/94, Heaton 10/3/38, South Blyth 17/7/49, Blaydon 16/10/55, Copley Hill 16/12/56, Sunderland 20/1/57, Wdn 27/11/58,
Cut up Darlington.
Regards
Martin
Last edited:
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
Thanks again, Martin for further and better particulars there. Interestingly (for you and I at least!) my Combined Volume for Winter 1958 has 62582 listed as a D16/3, as you suggest. I should have checked BR Database more carefully as it shows the loco was rebuilt to D16/3 although the initial listing is as a D15. I'm clearly not paying proper attention again.
Remarkable is your detail on 65748. That answers any questions I had about the numbering and the whole lot is being added to the file for that photo, but I'll leave the commentary as it stands because your comments lead on from it.
Stratford Scrapyard on 8th March 1959 and B12 61573. I suspect that might be 62582 (see post #4557 above) in front of it which rather confirms the location of both is the scrap yard. The B12 was allocated to Cambridge in February 1957 and was withdrawn on 1st January 1959 although there’s another SLS note which says that 61573 was withdrawn from Bury St Edmunds when it became a diesel depot although the date of withdrawal remains the same. (SLS). It was scrapped at Stratford Works (RO) in April 1959 (BR Database) and the Railway Observer report it being observed as it was cut up on 9th April.
O1 2-8-0 63872 at Stratford Shed Yard with N7 69713 in front on 8th March 1959. The O1 was a March engine and had been allocated there in June 1957, going to Staveley on 25th November 1963 where it was withdrawn on 30th January 1964. (SLS). It was sold for scrap to T W Ward, Beighton, in April 1964 (BR Database) and was last observed there on 15th November 1964. (WHTS).
The N7 was a fixture at Stratford, having been allocated there at least by January 1948 (BR Database) and being withdrawn in September 1961. (SLS). It was scrapped at Stratford Works (Yeadon) although I can find no information about the date.
A pair of N7s, N7/5 69623 and N7/4 69616 at Stratford MPD (but more likely in the scrap yard) on 8th March 1959.
69623 had been a Stratford engine since at least January 1948 (BR Database) and was withdrawn on 12th February 1959. (SLS). On 2nd April 1959 it was seen in Stratford awaiting cutting up. (SLS).
69616 had been a Cambridge engine since February 1957 and was withdrawn on 1st January 1959. (SLS). It was also seen with 69623 in Stratford Works awaiting cutting up on 2nd April 1959. (SLS).
Another recorded as in the MPD Yard on 8th March 1959 was J20/1 64685. This was a Stratford engine from December 1945 and was withdrawn on 6th October 1960. (SLS). It was cut up at Stratford in November the same year. (Yeadons).
Brian
Remarkable is your detail on 65748. That answers any questions I had about the numbering and the whole lot is being added to the file for that photo, but I'll leave the commentary as it stands because your comments lead on from it.
Stratford Scrapyard on 8th March 1959 and B12 61573. I suspect that might be 62582 (see post #4557 above) in front of it which rather confirms the location of both is the scrap yard. The B12 was allocated to Cambridge in February 1957 and was withdrawn on 1st January 1959 although there’s another SLS note which says that 61573 was withdrawn from Bury St Edmunds when it became a diesel depot although the date of withdrawal remains the same. (SLS). It was scrapped at Stratford Works (RO) in April 1959 (BR Database) and the Railway Observer report it being observed as it was cut up on 9th April.
O1 2-8-0 63872 at Stratford Shed Yard with N7 69713 in front on 8th March 1959. The O1 was a March engine and had been allocated there in June 1957, going to Staveley on 25th November 1963 where it was withdrawn on 30th January 1964. (SLS). It was sold for scrap to T W Ward, Beighton, in April 1964 (BR Database) and was last observed there on 15th November 1964. (WHTS).
The N7 was a fixture at Stratford, having been allocated there at least by January 1948 (BR Database) and being withdrawn in September 1961. (SLS). It was scrapped at Stratford Works (Yeadon) although I can find no information about the date.
A pair of N7s, N7/5 69623 and N7/4 69616 at Stratford MPD (but more likely in the scrap yard) on 8th March 1959.
69623 had been a Stratford engine since at least January 1948 (BR Database) and was withdrawn on 12th February 1959. (SLS). On 2nd April 1959 it was seen in Stratford awaiting cutting up. (SLS).
69616 had been a Cambridge engine since February 1957 and was withdrawn on 1st January 1959. (SLS). It was also seen with 69623 in Stratford Works awaiting cutting up on 2nd April 1959. (SLS).
Another recorded as in the MPD Yard on 8th March 1959 was J20/1 64685. This was a Stratford engine from December 1945 and was withdrawn on 6th October 1960. (SLS). It was cut up at Stratford in November the same year. (Yeadons).
Brian