Embedded Files
Western Region Working Time Tables contained details of 'Engine Restrictions' detailing which classes of engine were authorised to run over various routes. When there was an addition or amendment, a notice was issued to interested parties such as motive power depots. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, I found a couple of relevant notices on a website dedicated to railways in Bromsgrove and the Lickey Incline.
The BR notice re B1s dated 19 June 1956 is actually AFTER the event as at least two of the class had got as
far as Gloucester by then from Birmingham. And I saw them both. I have no date for the first,61047, on an
excursion from the Eastern Region, but it was a week or two or three before the second one appeared, which
was 61113 - and I have a dated photo in my collection of that occasion, reproduced below.
Though the young trainspotter on the platform doesn't seem very interested, this was a rare event at the time - an Eastern Region B1
4-6-0 at Gloucester Eastgate. The loco making a smoky exit is 61113 of 35A New England depot and the date is 7 June 1956 - BEFORE
the route availability notice had been issued! It had worked down in the morning - I saw it at Hatherley at about 10.45am - on a
guaranteed excursion from Peterborough East to Gloucester for participants to disembark for a road tour of the Wye Valley.
A few weeks earlier 61047 had headed a similar excursion. Later in the 1950s, the class became quite common at Gloucester,
sometimes several a day being seen. Photo Les Lapper
The BR notice re 'Castle' class locos was no doubt in anticipation of an Ian Allan Locospotters special which
went up the Lickey on 16 April 1955 behind one of the class for the first time ever ( except of course for
the one which was used on the clearance trial mentioned in the notice). The special was 'The Lickey Limited' - ten coaches -
which went from Paddington via Bristol and Gloucester to get to the Lickey, with 'Castle' 7017 'G J Churchward' as motive
power. The train was banked up the Lickey by the famous 'Big Bertha' 0-10-0 58100. Due to limited
clearances, 7017 was not allowed into Birmingham New Street and came off the train at Bournville.
The photo below, taken by Ben Brooksbank,shows 7017 at Bromsgrove.
An immaculate 4079 'Pendennis Castle' speeds through Ashchurch on 8 August 1965 heading towards Cheltenham with an Ian Allan
Locospotters railtour from Worcester. There is a certain irony in seeing 4079 thundering past the Dowty RPS site, as, in early 1965, it
was agreed that the loco would take up residence at Ashchurch, after overhaul at Swindon Works. But it didn't happen.
Apart from railtours, 'Castles' worked through here when trains like 'The Cornishman' were diverted off the Honeybourne route due to
engineering work, but usually only joining the Ashchurch line at Norton Junction near Worcester or coming off the Evesham branch.
Certainly 'Castles' worked between Norton Junction and Cheltenham in 1949 when Winchcombe Tunnel was under repair.
In the first half of 1965 it was not uncommon to see very rundown examples of the class reduced to working the Worcester - Gloucester
pick-up freight. Photo Mike Randall
A few more Route Availability notices:
The Rail Cars mentioned were the ex-GWR type that were common at Worcester, Cheltenham and Gloucester on various
duties but this Notice gave permission for them to work between Worcester and Gloucester, which they certainly did after
this, including the twin set of W33/W38.
This one regarding Stanier 'Black Fives' also dates from 4 March 1954.
Though not rostered on a daily basis between Stratford and Cheltenham,
they did sometimes appear and by the mid 1960s became a familiar
sight on Summer Saturday holiday trains on the Honeybourne line.
It wasn't only locomotives that had restrictions, some rolling stock did as well.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse