pws

Buxton was a sub shed of Longsight, as was Stockport and Altrincham - and all had Coal Tanks. They went to the area from new in 1881. Buxton used them, as elsewhere for passenger, mineral and banking duties (the latter up to Bibbingtons). These would all have been allocated within the Longsight district. It is interesting to note that in 1888 Longsight had more engines allocated to it than any other district shed on the LNWR (a total of 194), but that allocation would have included those they had at Buxton, Stockport etc. Allocation to either districts or individual sheds varied depending upon procedures at varying times of the LNWR LMS and BR. The last Coal Tank allocated to Buxton was 7757 - it was there for one month from July to August 1948 before moving to Tredegar. To say they were useless for goods train is silly. That's what these engines were designed for. As train weights became heavier, and the design of braking systems improved on later engines it is obvious that the Coal Tanks would be replaced by more capable engines if they were available. There is no doubt that compared to later engines the Coal Tank's power brakes were extremely poor, and would therefore be more suitable for passenger work where the vehicles were fitted with vacuum brakes. Coal tanks continued to work loose-coupled goods trains around Abergavenny, for example, well into the 1930s and probably much later. I trust the above is of interest. Regards Pete