Also see Jim Irwin's Gloucestershire Railway Memories 'Gloucester Horton Road Fireman - 1963'
DIARY OF A TEENAGE RAILWAYMAN
1963
On Saturday 16th February 1963, I applied for my first job after leaving school aged 15 to become a cleaner. A number of my school friends were working at the ex LMS Gloucester Barnwood shed having joined at Christmas 1962, unfortunately there were no vacancies so I applied to ex GWR Gloucester Horton shed.
First interview / recruitment/medical
The shed master, Mr S R Knowles, interviewed me and part of this interview was reading a page from the railwayman’s rulebook followed by a dictation test. I had passed the interview and on Friday 22nd February 1963, walked to Horton Road shed for my first eye test including a check for colour blindness, which was negative. On 28th February 1963, I caught a train to Swindon with a Railway travel pass and walked to the British Railways Western Region medical centre for a full medical examination including a more detailed eye test. Once again, I passed these checks.
My first day/job
APRIL 1963
Tuesday16th April 1963 was my first day at Horton Road engine shed. I was regarded as too smart to start on cleaning engines and became a messenger with my first week's wage being £3.7s.6d. My main tasks were delivering change of shift call out tickets to drivers and fireman for the following day's workings. Riding the shed bicycle on the streets of Gloucester I took these tickets by hand to their homes. Another job was to deliver paperwork from the shed to the British Railways administration office at Northgate House in Northgate Street, Gloucester. My shift pattern was 6am to 2pm and 2pm to 10pm weekly with a fellow messenger Ron Artus on a six-day week basis. The 2pm shift also involved helping the shed store man issue consumables such as cotton waste, oil, engine spares and tools to enginemen and repair fitters. This work was very mundane and there was little variation from day to day so during my time in this job there are gaps in the diary to avoid too much repetition.
Engines noted on Horton Road shed today - 'Western' diesel hydraulic Type 4s D1059 'Western Empire' and D1042 'Western Prince' while 2-8-2T 7222 of 86B Newport Ebbw Junction was in the repair shed. On 85C Barnwood was BR Standard 2MT 78006 and 8F 48172 both allocated to the shed.
Wednesday, I spent the day delivering paperwork and noted on Horton Road D1045 'Western Viscount'. Also I noted 8F 48602 of 21B /2F Bescot shed, 0-6-0 Pannier Tank 4611 newly transferred to 85B and BR Standard 4MT 80102 of 6D Shrewsbury which had arrived at 8.00am on the Hereford passenger train, this regularly produced an unusual engine.
Thursday, I walked to Stroud Road doctor’s surgery for another BR medical and then spent the rest of the day delivering paperwork. I noted on Horton Road shed today diesel hydraulic 'Hymek' Type 3's D7012 and D7052 both of 82A Bristol Bath Road and D7067 of 81A Old Oak Common along with English Electric Type 3 D6829 of 86A Cardiff Canton. I also noted at Eastgate station BR Standard 9F ex Crosti boiler 92025 and 'Jubilee' 45676 'Codrington' on station pilot duties, both of 2E Saltley. It was quite common for the station pilot to be a passenger tender engine as in the event of an engine failure it would take over a passenger train at short notice.
Friday, I spent the day out and about delivering paperwork on the bicycle and noted the following engines on shed: 'Hymek' D7046 of 82A and 'Manor' 7800 'Torquay Manor' of 6D Shrewsbury which had arrived on the 8.00am Hereford passenger train. I noted passing Eastgate station BR Standard 9F ex Crosti boiler 92025 of 2E.
Saturday, I spent the day at the shed and in the quieter moments spent a lot of time in the cabs of steam locos particularly a long line of withdrawn 85B engines. There were five 2-6-2 Prairie Tanks:4106, 4116, 4163, 5173, 5199; Collett 0-6-0 2245; and Churchward Mogul 6330. Also 5944 'Ickenham Hall', 5968 'Cory Hall', 5980 'Dingley Hall', 5099 'Compton Castle'; 0-6-0 Pannier Tank 8701 and Collett 0-4-2 Auto Tank 1473 all waiting to be sent to the scrap yards. In the running sheds were Collett 0-6-0s 2241 of 86C Hereford and 2253 of 85B; Large Prairie Tank 5184 of 85B; 'Mogul' 6344 of 85B; and 0-6-0 Pannier Tank 9798 of 85B. Also 7003 'Elmley Castle' of 85B;2-8-2T 7222 of 87B Duffryn Yard, Port Talbot and 8F 48602 of 21B/2F Bescot. Along with 'Hymeks' D7022 of 82A and D7065 of 81A. I also noted BR Standard 4MT 75005 of 85A Worcester which passed the shed on a freight working. (The named locos usually had nameplates removed)
Monday, 22nd April, I spent the day out and about delivering paperwork on the bicycle and noted the following engines on shed: 'Hymek' D7070 of 82A and D7061 of 81A . Also steam engines: 0-6-0 Pannier Tank 1650 of 85B; 8F 48347 of 6D Shrewsbury, and passing on a freight Fowler 4F 0-6-0 44038 and 'Jubilee' 45653 'Barham' both of 2E Saltley, the latter on a Bristol to Birmingham local passenger train.
Wednesday, I spent the day at the shed and whilst delivering paperwork I noted on shed 80072 of 87D Swansea East Dock which had arrived from Hereford on the 8.00am passenger. Also 'Hymek' D7020 of 82A and D7035 of 86A Cardiff Canton. Seen passing the shed was Type 4 'Warship' D822 'Hercules' of 83A Newton Abbot on a Cardiff to Paddington parcels train.
Thursday, whilst undertaking tasks at Horton Road shed I noted 'Hymek' D7008 of 82A and then off on my bicycle to Barnwood shed to deliver paperwork where I noted Fowler 4F 44040 of 2E Saltley.
Saturday, I spent the day at the shed and whilst delivering paperwork noted on shed: - 'Hymek' D7060 of 81A and passing the shed on the ex Midland line was Fowler 4F 43979 of 2E on a freight.
Monday, 29th April I was undertaking tasks at Horton Road shed and then off on my bicycle to Barnwood shed to deliver paperwork where I noted 9F ex Crosti 92029 of 2E.
Tuesday, 30th April I spent the day at the shed and whilst delivering paperwork I noted the following engines on the shed: Pannier Tanks 3745, 4629, 4631 all of 85B. Also seen passing the shed were D1040 'Western Queen' of 86A and D802 'Formidable' of 84A Laira working a parcels train.
That covers the first two weeks employment, getting familiar with the surroundings and the work.
The pattern for the months of May through to September was similar, out delivering paperwork and noting locos and workings. The observations illustrate the variety of loco types from many varied running sheds that could be seen in Gloucester.
MAY 1963
1st May D1061 'Western Envoy' and D7037 were on shed. 'Jubilee' 45633 'Aden' recently allocated on Burton -on -Trent shed was on a freight.
6th May D7073 on shed. 6361 from 88J Aberdare was also on shed, along with Standard 2-6-4T 80100 of Shrewsbury which had come off the 8am passenger arrival from Hereford.
7th May D1054 'Western Governor' and D1057 'Western Chieftain' on shed, as was 0-6-2T 5659 of 86G Pontypool Road, ex works, off the Swindon - Gloucester and return pick up freight which was often used for running-in locos fresh from the Works.
9th May D7053 on shed, also 0-6-2T 6613 of 88D Merthyr.
10th May on shed was D7039, along with 2-6-4T 80099 of 87D Swansea East Dock off the breakfast time Hereford passenger. BR 4-6-0 75062 of 18A Nottingham passed by on a freight.
11th May 0-6-0 diesel shunter D2196 was seen having just been reallocated to 85B from 82C Swindon. Also noted was 8F 48419 of 87F Llanelly.
Monday 13th May 0-6-0PT 4675 of 88H Tondu was on shed having towed in failed 2-8-0 3823 of 87A Neath. A parcels train was headed by D1046 'Western Marquis' whilst 2-6-2T 5152 of 85A Worcester was acting station pilot at Eastgate station.
15th May 'Crab' 42707 of Saltley was at Barnwood shed. D7038 had a parcels working and D1052 'Western Viceroy' was on a freight.
16th May 'Hall' 5957 'Hulton Hall' of 81F Oxford had a freight, while 'Jubilee' 45709 'Implacable' of Saltley was Eastgate station pilot.
17th May 6931 'Aldborough Hall' of Cardiff Canton was on shed. Another Canton loco passing by was D1058 'Western Nobleman'.
Saturday 18th May D7048 and D7011 were on shed, I helped the foreman move them around the yard. An unusual visitor being serviced on shed was 'Jubilee' 45563 'Western Australia' of 8B Warrington off a special working. (This was a train of a single van. Unusually 45563 had been seen at Cheltenham St James station earlier. that day) Over at Barnwood was 8F 48065 of Burton shed.
Monday, 20th May 6964 ' Thornbridge Hall' of 6D Shrewsbury and 6800 'Arlington Grange' of 86B Newport Ebbw Junction were on shed along with D7069 and BR Standard class 3 2-6-2T 82042 of 83B Taunton. 'Peak' D189 passed by on a freight. (82042 was in Crewe Works erecting shop a month earlier so may have been returning home.)
22nd May 'Jubilee' 45700 'Amethyst' of 16C Derby was on a Bristol to Birmingham stopping passenger and 8F 48718 of 2J Aston ran light to Barnwood depot.
Tuesday, 28th May 6970 'Whaddon Hall' of 81F Oxford passed the shed on a freight, while on shed was D1064 'Western Regent'.
29th May On shed were 0-6-0PTs 1608 of 85B and 4623 of Hereford.
JUNE 1963
Saturday,1st June B1 61369 of 1G Woodford Halse was noted on an express passenger relief train passing Gloucester.
Tuesday, 4thJune Passing the shed on the ex Midland line was BR Standard 7MT 'Britannia' 70051 'Firth of Forth' of 5A Crewe North working a parcels train.
Wednesday, passing the shed was D1056 'Western Sultan' of 86A Cardiff Canton. Also on shed was BR Standard 4MT 80097 of 87D Swansea East Dock having worked in on the 8.00am passenger from Hereford.
Monday, 10thJune passing the shed was B1 61044 of 41A Sheffield Darnall at 6.00pm on a freight and 8F 48095 of 2E Saltley also on a freight running along the ex Midland line.
Tuesday, I noted on shed 4168 of 2C Stourbridge Junction. The 8.00pm local passenger to Birmingham was 'Royal Scot' 46101 'Royal Scots Grey' of 16D Annesley. Two ex Crosti9Fs were seen, 92028 running light engine to Barnwood shed and 92020 on a freight, both of 2E Saltley.
Wednesday, Hymek D7029 of 86A Cardiff Canton was on shed. Black 5 45464 of 16C Derby had a freight and the 8.00pm Gloucester to Birmingham stopping train was 'Jubilee' 45631 'Tanganyika' of 2E Saltley.
Friday, 'Britannia' 70047 of 2J Aston arrived on a special passenger train from Birmingham to Weston Super Mare. It was uncoupled at Eastgate station and ran light engine to Barnwood shed with the train taken forward by Black 5 45199 of 17B Burton on Trent. Noted passing the shed was Austerity 90051 of 40E Colwick on a freight train.
Wednesday, 19th June I noted on shed 'Britannia' 70018 'Flying Dutchman' of 2J Aston.
Thursday, on the shed was BR Standard 4MT 80134 of 87D Swansea East Dock that had arrived from Hereford on the 8.00am passenger train.
Friday,I noted Mogul 7315 of 87F Llanelly had arrived from Hereford on the 8.00am passenger train.
Wednesday, 26th June on the shed was English Electric 350HP shunter 15105 of 88A Cardiff East Dock which was on its way back to South Wales after repairs at Swindon Works. Also on shed was Hymek D7084 and D1055 'Western Advocate' both of 86A Cardiff Canton.
Thursday, I saw passing the shed two 'Jubilees' - 45584 'North West Frontier' of 2E Saltley on a local passenger train to Birmingham and 45611 'Hong Kong' of 16F/17B Burton on Trent shed running light to Barnwood shed.
Friday, on the shed was 4156 of 86E Severn Tunnel Junction on a running in turn from Swindon Works following repair and, a rare class, K1 62035 of 36C Frodingham shed, Scunthorpe. Also seen passing the shed was B1 61084 of 50A York running light to Barnwood shed and D7085 of 86A on a parcels train.
JULY 1963
Monday,1st July I noted on shed 80070 of 6D Shrewsbury from the 8.00am Hereford passenger train and 48223 of 16E Kirby in Ashfield.
Friday, on shed was Mogul 7318 of 87A Neath. Also passing the shed were 48392 of 16F/17B Burton on Trent and on the ex Midland line 'Jinty' 47308 of 85D Bromsgrove smartly turned out and working an enthusiasts special visiting some Gloucestershire branch lines.
Tuesday, 9thJuly I noted passing the shed 8F 48767 of 2F Bescot on the ex Western lines. Also on the ex Midland line ex LNER B1 61229 of 50A York hauled a Birmingham New Street to Gloucester Eastgate stopping train arriving at 9.15pm. On arrival, the B1 uncoupled and ran light engine to Barnwood shed.
Wednesday, I noted ex LMS 8F 48611 of 1G Woodford Halse and whilst delivering paperwork to Barnwood shed I saw 48476 of 8H Birkenhead. Also passing Horton Road shed was 'Western' D1060 'Western Dominion' of 86A Cardiff Canton on a freight and ex Crosti 9F 92024 of 15B Wellingborough running light engine.
Saturday, I noted passing the shed on the ex Midland line B1 61138 of 41F Mexborough on an express passenger relief train and BR Standard 5MT 73044 of 83D Exmouth Junction on another relief passenger. Also noted was Black 5 44834 of 5B Crewe South on a freight and BR Standard 4MT 75039 of 16C Derby on the 7.00pm Bristol to Birmingham stopping passenger.
Monday, 15th July 80069 of 87D Swansea East Dock was on shed, it arrived on the 8.00am passenger train from Hereford. In addition, two Hymeks D7075 of 82A and D7087 of 86A.
Wednesday, 'Castle' 5081 'Lockheed Hudson' of 88A Cardiff East Dock was on shed and passing the shed I noted 'Western' D1044 'Western Duchess' of 86A Cardiff Canton.
Thursday, I noted on shed 2-6-2T 4107 of 87H Neyland on a running in turn from Swindon Works, the Swindon to Gloucester pick-up freight. Also 48386 of 1G Woodford Halse and Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T 41272 of 2L Leamington Spa on its way to its new home shed of 83D Exmouth Junction, Exeter. In addition, seen passing the shed was 'Western' D1053 'Western Patriarch' of 81A on a very long freight.
Friday, 26th July seen passing the shed on the ex Midland line at 6.00pm was 61394 of 41F Mexborough on a northbound freight train.
AUGUST 1963
Friday, 9th August Pannier Tank 8794 of 87D Swansea East Dock, recently withdrawn from service, and Hawksworth Pannier Tank 8471 of 85B were at Horton Road. Whilst passing the shed I noted on the ex Midland line three B1's:: 61167, 61169 both of 41F Mexborough and 61155 of 41A Sheffield Darnall.
Wednesday,14th August On shed was 4160 of 88B Radyr, Cardiff after Swindon Works repair on the Swindon pick- up freight running in duty and 4130 of 86E Severn Tunnel Junction.
Saturday, I noted on shed 0-6-0PT 9609 of 88H Tondu and 'Castle' 5063 'Earl Baldwin' of 2B Oxley.
Also seen passing the shed so far this month have been the following 8Fs: 48010,48061,48110,48386,48396 and 48611 all of 1G Woodford Halse shed which appear to have replaced the ex WD Austerity 2-8-0s on freight workings from that area.
Saturday,24th August passing the shed today on the ex Midland line were B1’s on Summer Saturday extras: 61090 and 61155 of 41F Mexborough heading north and 61051 of 41A Darnall running light engine from Barnwood shed.
Thursday, 29th August On the shed was Collett 0-6-2T Tank 5624 of 88J Aberdare which had arrived on the pick-up freight from Severn Tunnel Junction yard.
SEPTEMBER 1963
Wednesday, 4th September I noted on the shed 0-6-2T 6658 of 88D Merthyr, Mogul 6347 of 87F Llanelly, BR Standard 3MT 82036 of 82E Bristol Barrow Road. Also two 8Fs 48027 of 1G Woodford Halse and 48475 of 2A Tyseley.
Monday, 9th September pretty rare on the shed was Stanier 2-6-4T 42608 of 8H Birkenhead that had worked in on the 8.00am local passenger train from Hereford. Also noted was 4684 of 82E Bristol Barrow Road and 'Castle' 5018 'St Mawes Castle' of 82B St Phillips Marsh, Bristol.
Friday, 13th September I noted on the shed a number of ex GWR 0-6-0PT all formerly of 70A Nine Elms, London that had been used there on empty stock duties. The engines were: 3633, 3737 and 4624 all reallocated to 85B and 4694 reallocated to 83D Exmouth Junction, Exeter.
Monday, 16th September on Eastgate station pilot duty was Black 5 45294 of 9H Patricroft, Manchester.
Tuesday, 2-8-0T 5246 of 87B Duffryn Yard, Port Talbot and 'Western' D1039 'Western King' of 86A were on shed.
Also seen on the shed this week were a number of 'County' 4-6-0s :1010 'County of Caernarvon', 1011 'County of Chester', 1012 'County of Denbigh', 1013 'County of Dorset' all of 82C Swindon, with a couple just transferred there.
Thursday, on the shed was ex WD Austerity 90509 of 8F Springs Branch, Wigan being the first one I had noted for about three months.
Thursday,26th September I noted on shed Fairburn 2-6-4T 42050 of 9E Trafford Park, Manchester off the 8.00am local passenger train from Hereford and Hymek D7090 of 86A.
The early morning passenger from Hereford via Ross-on-Wye produced some interesting locos over the months, appears to have been part of a loco diagram from Shrewsbury, hence the appearance of engines shedded at such diverse locations as Swansea and Manchester.
Another turn to look out for was the daily pick-up freight from Swindon to Gloucester, regularly used for running in ex-works locos.
OCTOBER 1963
Tuesday, 1st October 1963 visiting locos noted on the shed were Black 5 45418 of 1F Rugby, 6840 'Hazeley Grange' of 87A Neath and 6946 'Heatherden Hall' of 86G Pontypool Road, also 7818 'Granville Manor' of 2A Tyseley. 6165 of 81C Southall arrived on the running in turn from Swindon Works, the Swindon pick-up freight. Two English Electric D6837 and D6855 both of 87E Landore, Swansea were also here.
Thursday, 10th October on shed was Prairie Tank 4564 now of 85B having spent a prolonged period out of service in store at Newport Ebbw Junction shed. Also noted passing the shed was D1066 'Western Prefect' of 86A on a freight train.
Swindon crews have now started being trained on English Electric Type 3 diesels and seen this week on crew training duties were:D6831,D6837,D6855 of 87E Landore and D6868 of 86A Cardiff Canton. D6868 failed on these duties and required a tow back to Swindon.
Friday, on shed was another Prairie Tank 5518 now of 85B and 6161 of 81D Reading. Noted passing the shed on the ex Midland line were two 'Jubilees' - 45552 'Silver Jubilee' of 5A Crewe North and 45598 'Basutoland' of 16F Burton on Trent double heading the 9.30 am Bristol Temple Meads to Sheffield express. On the 3.00pm Gloucester to Swindon passenger train was English Electric Type 3 D6868 of 86A Cardiff Canton on further driving training duties. (45552 was in the area to operate an enthusiast special the following day.)
Saturday, 12th October I noted 0-6-0PT 1666 newly allocated to 85B and 'Castle' 7005 'Sir Edward Elgar' of 85A Worcester which took over the railtour that 45552 worked into Cheltenham Lansdown. Mogul 6349 and Prairie Tank 5518 both of 85B ran off shed light engines to Lydney for duties on the Forest of Dean branch lines. Passing the shed was 4564 on the 12.15pm to London from Cheltenham prior to replacement by a 'Castle' or, more probably, a diesel for the run to London.
Saturday, 26th October I spent the day at the shed and whilst delivering paperwork I noted on shed 5518 of 85B and 6129 of 2L Leamington Spa. I handed the driver’s timesheets to the guard on the 12.15pm express to London Paddington and had a footplate ride back to Horton Road shed on 4564 which brought the express into Central station from Cheltenham St James Station.
NOVEMBER 1963
Saturday, 1st November 5000 'Launceston Castle' of 85B was reinstated for further use and reallocated to 85C Hereford, having been in store at the shed for about a year. Its name and number plates were in the shed storeroom for safekeeping after attempts to steal them whilst the engine was in the Corporation sidings at the shed. Passing the shed on the 3.00 pm Gloucester to Swindon passenger was Type 3 D6854 of 87E Landore on further driver training duties.
Wednesday, 5th November on the shed was BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 76044 of 1G Woodford Halse and Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 43044 of 55B Stourton, Leeds. Also 48600 of 1G Woodford Halse along with BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 75005 of 85A Worcester. Passing the shed on the ex Midland line were 45297 of 5B Crewe South and 48285 of 15B Wellingborough.
Thursday, I handed the driver’s timesheets to the guard on the 12.15pm express to London Paddington and hitched a footplate ride back to shed on 5518 which had brought the express into Central from Cheltenham St James.
Sunday, 9th November, on the shed was Mogul 5330 of 85B, with visitors Collett 0-6-2T 5677 of 88D Merthyr, Hawksworth Pannier Tank 8425 and 'Castle' 5073 'Blenheim' both of 88A Cardiff East Dock.
Wednesday, 12th November 1963, shed visitors included Austerity 90330 of 41D Canklow, Rotherham, Collett 2-8-0 2899 of 81C Southall and 5096 'Bridgwater Castle' of 88A Cardiff East Dock.
Friday, I spent the day at the shed and whilst delivering paperwork noted on shed ex GWR 'Castle' 7002 'Devizes Castle' of 85A Worcester.
Tuesday, 18th November 0-6-0PT 6724 of 87D Swansea East Dock was seen, withdrawn from service this month, so probably going for scrap, and 2-6-2T 5545 on its way to 81C Southall being reallocated from 87H Neyland. In addition, whilst at Barnwood shed I noted BR Standard 5MT 73164 of 82F Bath Green Park en route to Bath following its transfer from 55G Huddersfield. Seen passing Horton Road shed was LMS 8F 48005 of 1G Woodford Halse on a freight train.
Saturday, on shed was 'Castle' 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgecombe' of 88A Cardiff East Dock.
Sunday,23rd November on a day off I took a trip along the Somerset & Dorset line travelling from Gloucester Eastgate to Templecombe via Mangotsfield and Bath on an all stations stopping passenger, a slow trip but very enjoyable. I noted two Fowler S & D 7F 2-8-0s 53807 and 53808 of 82F Bath Green Park shed at Evercreech Junction yard and 'Jinty' 47557 of 82F outside the small Radstock shed.
Thursday, 27th November 8F 48704 of 15C Kettering was on a freight train.
Friday, 28th November I noted Hawksworth Pannier Tank 8461 and Large Prairie Tank 6151 both of 86G Pontypool Road on their way to Swindon Works for scrapping, a sign of the changing times. D1051 'Western Ambassador' of 81A was seen passing the shed on a Cheltenham Spa to London express. A number of ex GWR 'Castles' were seen on shed this week: 5029 'Nunney Castle' and 5096 'Bridgewater Castle' both of 88A Cardiff East Dock along with 7003 'Elmley Castle' and 7034 'Ince Castle' both of 85B. Seen passing the shed was 8F 48088 of 16B Kirby in Ashfield on a freight on the ex Western lines.
Gloucester saw a lot of South Wales allocated locos going for scrap at Swindon Works over the years, particularly when they were towed dead, as they were not allowed to be dragged through the Severn Tunnel, so had to use the old way round via Gloucester. Noted in November, 6724 was of a class that never had a member allocated to Horton Road shed.
DECEMBER 1963
Thursday, 11th December 2287 of 85C Hereford and 48478 of 2C Stourbridge Junction were on shed. Also two 0-6-0PT 7430 and 7441 which arrived for store at Horton Road from Cheltenham Malvern Road sub shed, which closed at the end of October. 0-4-2 auto tank 1424 of 85B was withdrawn from service and replaced by 1451, reallocated here from Exeter following the Exe Valley auto services ceasing. Other engines on shed included 7307 of 85B, 'Hall' 6947 'Helmingham Hall' of 85B in ex works condition following repair at Swindon Works and 'Castle' 5074 'Hampden' of 82B Bristol St Phillips Marsh.
There was a collision resulting in a derailment in the old goods yard near Horton Road shed on the points between 350HP diesel shunter D3991 and Mogul 6368 both of 85B, with the shed steam crane being used to re -rail both engines.(This incident appears to have led to the almost immediate withdrawal from service of 6368.)
Friday,I noted on shed Collett 2283 of 87H Whitland on its way to Swindon for scrapping, 7435 which had also been in store at Malvern Road shed was reallocated to 88J Aberdare. Seen passing the shed on the ex Midland line were two Black 5s: 45441 of 6J Holyhead, on a Christmas extra parcels train and 45154 named the 'Lanarkshire Yeomanry' of 9D Newton Heath, Manchester working the 5.00pm Bristol to Birmingham stopping passenger.
Saturday, I spent the day at the shed delivering paperwork and acted as second man on Shunter D3989 of 85B at New Yard from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. I noted on the shed two 'Castles' : 7000 'Viscount Portal' of 85B and 5049 'Earl of Plymouth' of 82B St Philips Marsh now withdrawn from service and on the way for scrapping in South Wales. Seen passing the shed was B1 61165 of 41F Mexborough running light engine to Barnwood shed and WD Austerity 90138 of 10F Rose Grove, Preston on a freight train.
Friday, 20th December On the shed was Austerity 90140 of 9J Agecroft, Manchester and Mogul 7320 of 87A Neath. Also Type 3 D6863 of 87E and 'Hymek' D7079 of 82A.
Friday, 27th December 7905 'Fowey Hall' of 2D Banbury was at the shed.
CONTINUED ON '1964' PAGE