RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted January 10, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 10, 2018 SPRINGS BRANCH MPD LAST DAY OF STEAM 1967.jpg Still with Lower Darwen on the bufferbeam!, how long since it was allocated there? Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Trev52A Posted January 11, 2018 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 11, 2018 You certainly have an eye for a good composition. Can I ask what camera you were using for these photos? David Thanks for that, David. I was using a second-hand (at least second-hand!) Kodak Retinette 35mm camera since January 1967, mainly using Kodal Panatomic-X film (very slow at 32ASA, but fine grain) which I developed and printed at home. The pics I have posted on this site are all scans from the negatives, not the prints. I travelled on a couple of steam specials in the final year. One was the 'Grand Scottish tour No 5', (so-called because it originated north of the border), on 1st June 1968 which I joined at Carlisle. This was diesel-hauled (D1773) to Carnforth where 70013 Oliver Cromwell took over for the tour via Manchester to Guide Bridge. Electric Class EM1 No E26052 Nestor was in charge over the Pennines to Sheffield and back where the 'Brit' took over again via Manchester to Hellifield, for the final run over the S&C back to Carlisle behind D1773... This is the train entering Bolton Trinity St. station behind 70013 on the outward leg. Crikey, I seem to be hanging out of the window even further than the chap in front! (Unless I was in the second coach.) No doubt this location has changed a bit since then. A bit off-topic on a steam thread, but this is Nestor at Sheffield Victoria station at the halfway point of the tour Returning to Manchester behind the 'Brit' we were passed at signals by this 8F on a train of wagons. I think this was on the way down between Miles Platting and Manchester Victoria, but I am happy to be corrected. What a great day out, with nice weather as well! Cheers Trevor 24 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 (edited) Still with Lower Darwen on the bufferbeam!, how long since it was allocated there? Mike. It could be one of two, 76080 & 76081, both were allocated at Lower Darwen from Feb 1957 to March 1965, when both were transferred to Sutton Oak ( the 8G shed code) then both went to Springs Branch in June '67. But 81 only lasted a month before withdrawal, but could still have been there in store, but 80 wasn't withdrawn 'till the December. The WHTS website doesn't prove one way or another if 81 was at 8F at the time of closure or not. Edited January 11, 2018 by bike2steam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Turnbull Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 There's quite a few 1968 photos in this thread of mine: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/91758-chris-ts-photo-archives-updated-6th-march/page-3 Chris Turnbull 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted January 11, 2018 Author Share Posted January 11, 2018 There's quite a few 1968 photos in this thread of mine: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/91758-chris-ts-photo-archives-updated-6th-march/page-3 Chris Turnbull Very true, Chris. I wouldn't imagine the site Administrator minding too much if you shared some of the 1968 steam pictures again on this thread - you have some super atmospheric shots in colour! Here's another of mine from the Special of 1st June 1968 - loco changeover at Hellifield Trevor 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chris Turnbull Posted January 11, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 11, 2018 OK, if you're sure here's a selection. 75048 on the turntable at Carnforth on 8th July 48340 at Manchester Victoria on 17th April 48340 and D6916 at Rose Grove on 10th July 45394 at Hoghton on 11th July. Chris Turnbull 31 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted January 11, 2018 Author Share Posted January 11, 2018 Great stuff, Chris! More please!! Trevor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamysandy Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 Good to see the Grand Scottish Tour No5 which I travelled on from Edinburgh.The return from Carlisle to Edinburgh was unusual to say the least,being via Dumfries, Kilmarnock, Stirling (where the 47 was replaced by a class40), Dunfermline Upper and the Forth Bridge! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Were any other site members on the Williams Deacon's Bank Club steam special from Stockport on 17th March 1968? Actually two trains were run on the same day due to the ticket demand. The route it followed and the different locos involved was incredible. I was on the second train which ran as follows: 70013 Stockport to Bolton 70013+45110 Bolton to Accrington 45447+45110 Accrington to Skipton 70013 Skipton to Carnforth where there was a break for a shed visit 4472 Carnforth to Skipton 45447+45110 Skipton to Accrington 45110+4472 Accrington to Bolton 4472 Bolton to Stockport Train No 1 used the same two Pacifics but different Black Fives! Due to the bad weather and the final runs being in the evening I didn't manage to take many photos, but here are some of them: 70013+45110 between Bolton and Accrington. If anyone can identify the location I would be grateful! Mayhem at Accrington with a loco change - that's 45447 in the background 70013 waiting to leave Skipton on the leg to Carnforth I have already uploaded a shot (on post #1 of this thread) of 70013 leaving Carnforth later that afternoon, when the sun had come out, as it took its turn on Train no 1 (We followed on Train No 2 behind 4472) Amazing! Cheers Trevor 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 I'm glad I avoided all the special trains, the crowds, and some of the idiots tagging along. But quiet days at places like Manchester Victoria, Lostock Hall, Rose Grove, Carnforth, and Patricroft were enjoyable but solemn visits. I did similar 13 months earlier with the end of steam on the Southern. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chris Turnbull Posted January 12, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 12, 2018 Here's some more for your delectation. It was that distant wisp of steam which heralded the imminent arrival of a "steamer". 48493 at Hoghton on 11th July. I always found the billowing of the exhaust as a steam loco passed under a low bridge fascinating. 44803 at Manchester Victoria on 17th April. A long line of 16T mineral wagons full of coal for the coaling stage typified a steam shed. 42085 in the foreground, Carnforth on 8th July. This shows all the crap that could be found in a steam shed towards the end of steam - and who can blame the staff? Out of work in a couple of weeks. 45156 at Rose Grove on 10th July. Chris Turnbull 30 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chris Turnbull Posted January 13, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 13, 2018 Since you seem to be enjoying these, here's some more. Not quite 1968 but close enough. On 29th December 1967 a spotty 16 year-old could be found on Manchester Victoria frozen to death on a bitterly cold day learning how to use his new secondhand 35mm camera that Father Christmas had brought. 44800 catches the winter sun. On an altogether warmer day 48348 shows off its BR Brown livery in the evening sun at Carnforth on 9th July. 45305 at Hoghton on 11th July. 48493 passes the Rose Grove sheds on 10th July Chris Turnbull 29 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 On 29th December 1967 a spotty 16 year-old could be found on Manchester Victoria frozen to death on a bitterly cold day learning how to use his new secondhand 35mm camera that Father Christmas had brought. At least you got some decent pics, I had to make do with an ancient box brownie all the way thro', never mind - a few memories. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 @ Chris Turnbull Really enjoying seeing the colour shots, Chris. Re the view from the footbridge at Carnforth (post#61). A good view showing the correct size lumps of coal for those of us adding real coal to our models! I walked across that bridge loads of times but never thought of taking a pic in that direction. Re 45156 at Rose Grove. Shows the tastefully painted front number to replace the missing number plate. A staff member or an enthusiast's handiwork, I wonder. Keep 'em coming! Cheers Trevor 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted January 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 13, 2018 Wonderful and evocative pictures folks Thank you so very much for sharing them Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Shows the tastefully painted front number to replace the missing number plate. A staff member or an enthusiast's handiwork, I wonder. By then the name was also painted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Turnbull Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 By then the name was also painted. Oh no it wasn't! Chris Turnbull 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny777 Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Here are 75019 and 75027 being prepared at Carnforth for rail tour duty on 28th July 1968. 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salmotrutta Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Here's some more for your delectation. 680711 Hoghton 48493 K1.7.jpg It was that distant wisp of steam which heralded the imminent arrival of a "steamer". 48493 at Hoghton on 11th July. 680417 Manchester Victoria 44803 3.9.jpg I always found the billowing of the exhaust as a steam loco passed under a low bridge fascinating. 44803 at Manchester Victoria on 17th April. 680708 Carnforth 42085 5.10.jpg A long line of 16T mineral wagons full of coal for the coaling stage typified a steam shed. 42085 in the foreground, Carnforth on 8th July. 680710 Rose Grove 45156 8.6.jpg This shows all the crap that could be found in a steam shed towards the end of steam - and who can blame the staff? Out of work in a couple of weeks. 45156 at Rose Grove on 10th July. Chris Turnbull I noticed that the inside of the tender in one of your photos is painted white. Very bizarre! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Turnbull Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 I noticed that the inside of the tender in one of your photos is painted white. Very bizarre! This was a locomotive scheduled for preservation - 61306. It even had a rag over the chimney! Chris Turnbull 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Oh no it wasn't! Chris Turnbull See my pic post #23 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 A couple of shots of Black Fives at Carnforth shed (10A)... 44758, 44809 and 45206 on 18th July 45134 goes for a spin on the turntable on 1st August. An LMS fan has been busy on the tender, by the look of it! Trevor 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 I'm afraid that was what caught my eye as well; what a lovely selection of vans. .. and to think all that variety would go c1972, leaving only the BR standards. Paul, who also remembers steam being in a terrible condition - especially on the WR, which seemed to go from bright green to the grottiest possible in months - with the number plates replaced by scrawled numbers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted January 14, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 14, 2018 In the November of 1963 I was on my way home to Cardiff from a shed bash with some friends of the Birmingham area, changing off a Peak hauled Bristol train at Gloucester Eastgate and crossing the long footbridge to Central expecting to find a class 119 or 120 cross country dmu for the Cardiff connection. This, to set the scene, was a night of thick freezing fog and very 'atmospheric'. The dmu was lying dead and cold in the bay platform, no lights on, and a 3 coach set of Hawksworths whose normal employment was on the Hereford route. At the Cardiff end of this rake was a cloud of steam. Investigation had to be quick, as departure time was approaching, but the source of the steam proved to be a 6959 Modified Hall. That was as far as could be readily determined; this locomotive was missing some parts, including all the brass and copper including the cab window frames, the cab window, the chimney cap, the safety valve cover, and both name and number plates. The Gloucester crew were unable to enlighten us as to the identity of the loco, but told us it was a Banbury engine that had worked in on a freight earlier and had been stolen for this job. It was, apparently, restricted to freight work. We were able to identify it by borrowing a rag from the fireman and wiping the clag off a coupling rod boss, a trick we'd learned from Barry scrapyard with GW engines. I cannot recall it now, but Toynbee Hall rings bells. I have never seen a loco in steam in such dreadful condition, yet the safety valves were lifting! Steam was escaping from, well, everywhere, and there were locos in much better external and probably mechanical condition at Barry. I felt sorry for the crew having to work in such conditions on such a night; once under way the thing lurched and crabbed to an extent that could be felt in the first coach; it must have been appalling on the footplate but they carried on heroically, running up to about 40mph. They managed to supply us with train heating, though. Not so much a locomotive as a cloud of steam with a banging noise in the middle. The service was put out of it's misery at Newport, already 25 late, and we completed the last leg on a Hymek hauled Portsmouth-Cardiff. This was to be my last pre-preservation run behind a WR tender loco. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny777 Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Looking at the allocation of Toynbee Hall, I'm not sure the loco could have been the one you encountered. For starters, it never seems to have been a Banbury loco; and in November 1963 as a Neath based engine it had another 2 years to go before withdrawal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now