Front Bracket 08187 -08198

[WILLIAM]

Hi,

 

Can anyone please tell me what the bracket was for that was fitted to the cab end top right on at least 08187 to 08198 in the early 70s? All locos were allocated to Cardiff Canton at the time.

 

Pictures from Flickr.

 

 

 

 

 

[bécasse]

One of the most common additional fitments to 350hp shunters were aerials for radio-telephones. Every location where such a facility existed seems to have used a fitment that was specific to that location only, which, since these are all Cardiff Canton allocated locos, would seem to strongly suggest that that was what these were.

[WILLIAM]

12 minutes ago, bécasse said:

One of the most common additional fitments to 350hp shunters were aerials for radio-telephones. Every location where such a facility existed seems to have used a fitment that was specific to that location only, which, since these are all Cardiff Canton allocated locos, would seem to strongly suggest that that was what these were.

Thanks. They look like brackets for temporarily holding something which could well have been some sort of aerial or flashing light for working in an industrial complex?

 

Here is a picture (again off Flickr) of D3257 (08188) before the bracket was fitted but clearly carring an aerial in a similar location.

 

 

[br2975]

They are aerials of sorts for the R/T equipment fitted to South Wales allocated shunters. 

.

In December, 1968 the following South Wales shunters were so fitted:- 

.

D2120, 2121, 2122, 2125  - allocated to Landore (Swansea) for duties in Swansea Docks.                                                                                                        

 

D3102, 3103, 3104, 3188, 3189, 3190, - allocated to (Ebbw Junction) Newport primarily for use at Severn Tunnel Junction

 

D3256-3266 - allocated to (Canton) Cardiff for duties in and around Cardiff Docks.

 

D3419-3424 - allocated to (Canton) Cardiff for duties at Barry Docks.

 

D3429-3438 - allocated to Margam

 

D3809-3818, 3820, 3821 - allocated to (Ebbw Junction) Newport for duties in and around Newport Docks.

 

D3825-3830, 3986, 3987 - allocated to  Landore (Swansea) for duties at Swansea Docks     

.

For the sake of completeness, the following alterations were also apparent on South Wales shunters, at the same date;

.

Fitted with bell, for working in Swansea Docks;                                                                                                                       

D2120, 2121, 2122,                                                                                                                 

 “Cut down cab” for B.P.G.V. working;                                                                                

D2141, 2142, 2144, 2145                                                                                                                                   

Fitted snowplough brackets;                                                                                                        

D3258 (86A), 3744 (87E), 3748 (86A), 3758 (87E), 3819 (86B), 3821 (86B) 

.

I'll leave someone else to work out the equivalent TOPS numbers. 

.

.             

[br2975]

20 minutes ago, WILLIAM said:

Thanks. They look like brackets for temporarily holding something which could well have been some sort of aerial or flashing light for working in an industrial complex?

 

Here is a picture (again off Flickr) of D3257 (08188) before the bracket was fitted but clearly carring an aerial in a similar location.

 

 

.

D3257 working what could be either

.

(i) T20 Pilot (Empire Wharf) which stabled on the north side of Roath Dock, or

(ii) T21 East Side, Roath Basin Pilot.

.

In the rear right background is the GKN New Dowlais Works, later to become the BSC East Moors Works.

.

The bridge / wheel house of a vessel in the Bute East Dock can also be seen.