Some Unusual Loco Workings at Cheltenham and Gloucester

The Gloucestershire Railway Society, now sadly defunct, produced a duplicated magazine during the 1950s and 1960s which contained various items of local interest, including a round-up of unusual locomotive workings in the Gloucester area in 1957. 'Unusual' in this context embraces not just 'rare' classes of loco for the area, but also 'rare' members of common classes.

A significant happening not mentioned was the introduction of brand-new DMUs on the Birmingham Snow Hill to South Wales services in May 1957, the forerunners of full dieselisation in the area.

Other new diesel multiple units built at Swindon but destined for the Scottish Region were seen doing a round test trip Swindon - Gloucester South - Cheltenham Malvern Road - Andoversford - Swindon. (See photograph in the 'Specials on the Kingham and MSWJ Branches' article)

New steam locos were also still being constructed at Swindon Works and were often run-in on trains between Swindon and Gloucester, as were ex-works locos.

One ex-works engine was the resurrected 'City of Truro' seen at Gloucester not only on a memorable Ian Allan railtour with Horton Road's very own immaculate green and fully lined out 'Mogul' 4358, but also on a regular passenger working from Swindon when it was being run-in.

The GRS was also very active in running enthusiast railtours and one, on 11 May with Barnwood 2P 4-4-0 40540, is mentioned in the article. It went from Gloucester to Wolverton Works via the SMJ and returned down the Kingham - Cheltenham line, with 40540 working throughout.

BR Standard 9F 2-10-0s were also fairly new in the area, so their appearances were often recorded, particularly as they started to work Summer Saturday relief passenger trains.

Locos from the north-west were a feature on Summer Saturdays as well and worthy of comment.

Pre-grouping locos ex South Wales were being withdrawn and were observed being towed through Gloucester en route to Swindon for scrap; this route being taken because dead locos were not allowed to be towed through the Severn Tunnel.

The mention of Stanier 0-4-4T 41900 is interesting. After its unsuccessful trial on the Coaley - Dursley branch, the loco came back to the area in August to work the Ashchurch - Upton branch, which it did until late 1959.

Cam to Dursley services - including a mixed goods and passenger train - were taken over by Western 0-6-0PT 1605, replacing old ex-Midland Railway 0-6-0T which had been the main power on the branch.

The Midland 2F 0-6-0s mentioned, 58206 and 58165,are stated to be spare locos for the Dursley branch - certainly I have a picture of 58206 on the branch, on 13 November 1954. They were also used for engineers' trains in the Gloucester district and were known at Barnwood as the 'Ballast engines'.

A class of loco which got to Gloucester in Spring 1960 was the ex-LNE L1 2-6-4T. A new curve was put in at Stratford on Avon Racecourse so iron ore and finished steel traffic could go direct from Woodford Halse onto the Honeybourne line and on through Gloucester to South Wales, cutting out the route from Broom Junction to Ashchurch which was in a poor state of repair. This meant road learning trips for loco crews from Woodford Halse and Gloucester sheds which utilised an L1 tank with three of four brake vans from Woodford to Gloucester - unfortunately for me, I never saw these workings and haven't seen any pictures of them.

New in 1957

The GRS Newsletter noted BR Standard 4-6-0 75059 at Gloucester on 18 April 1957 when it was brand new, having been constructed at Swindon Works.

75059 is back at Gloucester during 1959, shedded at 15C Leicester where it was allocated from new. It probably replaced Compounds there, but Gloucester's own 41123, glimpsed on the left, was still a few months away from being replaced by 75002, which was drafted in from 82C Swindon. Photo N E Preedy

Summer Saturday extras in 1957

9F 2-10-0s were still fairly new and certainly a novelty on passenger trains when one was photographed at Tuffley on a summer Saturday in 1957.

They worked summer Saturday trains through to 1964, and sometimes appeared on passengers, including the 'Pines Express', on other days as well. Photo Stephen Mourton collection

Stanier Mogul 2-6-0s were not an everyday sight, being a small class of 40 engines allocated to LMR Western Division sheds.

However they turned up on occasion, this one is 42976 of 3A Bescot at Tuffley and heading north on a summer extra in August 1957.

The GRS noted two others of the type in late 1957. In latter days, some of the class were overhauled at Swindon Works, and appeared at Gloucester en route.

Photo Stephen Mourton collection

Little and large at Barnwood

Deeley 0-4-0T were shedded at Barnwood for many years, but this one, 41533, was only allocated here for about a year from July 1951.Photo Stephen Mourton collection

2-6-6-2 Beyer-Garratt 47994 under the coaler at Barnwood on 7 July 1956 when it was an 18A Toton engine. These locos were sometimes seen in the early 1950s, working from the East Midlands through to Westerleigh on coal trains, but became less common as the decade wore on. I saw four of them go through Hatherley in the mid-1950s. As it happens, 47994 was the last of the class of 33 locos to be withdrawn, in April 1958. Photo Stephen Mourton collection

Two veterans out and about

Ex MSWJ 2-4-0 1336, which was shedded at Cheltenham High Street before the Grouping, was brought out of storage at Swindon to work the Gloucestershire Railway Society special from Gloucester Central to Swindon over the MSWJ on 9 May 1953.

This was the loco's last working, as after the tour it was returned to storage and later withdrawn. Photo Stephen Mourton collection

2F 0-6-0 58206 was a long time Barnwood engine, since 1932. Built in 1881, it was rebuilt twice, the most recent being in 1925. It did not receive BR number 58206 until June 1953, previously bearing Midland Railway number 3062. This photo, taken in the 1953 - 57 period, shows it at Dursley on the branch passenger. The 'Railway Observer' reported it was working the branch passenger on 13 November 1954. This was very late for a Midland 2F to be used on passenger duties, possibly unique by then! The engine had been fitted with carriage warming apparatus in 1946 and was considered to be standby engine for the Dursley branch, which was usually worked by ex-Midland 0-6-0T, also locos of a good vintage. Photo R E Toop

Visitors to Barnwood from Somerset and Swansea

Ex Somerset & Dorset 2-8-0s came to Gloucester Barnwood for attention to hot boxes, as with 53807, with its rear set of driving wheels removed. I saw it here on 22 March 1963, but this picture may have been taken in the late 1950s. They were run in before going back to their home depot, Bath Green Park, and made an unusual sight running in on the High Orchard Branch freight on at least one occasion.

Even the famous Lickey Banker, 0-10-0 58100, came here for attention from time to time, being given priority as Bromsgrove needed it back as soon as possible to resume banking duties.Photo Stephen Mourton collection

'Jinty' 0-6-0Ts were common at Gloucester, but these two at Barnwood are not local ones. 47479 and 47478 had come up from Swansea, where they worked passenger trains - for which they were push/pull fitted. The duo were on the way to Wolverton Carriage Works in Buckinghamshire to do a stint as shunters there in September 1959, taking over from some ancient LNWR 0-6-0ST. I saw 47479 at Cheltenham on 3 October 1959 on its return and the following day it was once more at Barnwood with 47478 before going back to Swansea. Photo Stephen Mourton collection

Visitors through Cheltenham from Swansea and Neyland

Two locos from west Wales coming up through Hatherley on 8 June 1962 with steam to spare by the looks of things. I wonder what was going on - were they going for overhaul somewhere? Front loco is 1020 'County of Monmouth' from 87H Neyland, a rare visitor in any event. The 2-8-0T is 5210 of 87D Swansea East Dock. Presumably they had travelled together from Swansea.Photo Stephen Mourton collection

Rare engines on freights and special workings

Ex LNWR 0-8-0s were not often seen at Cheltenham, but here is 49452 in 'The Creek' (not sure why the area was known as 'The Creek' but that's what we called it) outside Lansdown station in late August or September 1960. On 30 August it was noted heading north light engine.

At the time it was shedded at 21C Bushbury, Wolverhampton.

These 0-8-0s were sometimes seen at Gloucester working in off the Hereford line and at Ashchurch off the branch from Redditch and Evesham.

Photo David Bick

Stanier 8F 2-8-0s were very common, but this particular one, 48603, was rare, hailing from 1A Willesden, where it had been allocated for the whole of its BR existence. Just to add to the interest 48603 has a Fowler tender plus a star on the cabside indicating specially balanced wheelsets and motion enabling it to work fast vacuum-braked goods services like this class 'D' train, seen at Cloddy on 27 May 1961. Photo Robin Stanton

Rare engine on local train

In 1960 'Royal Scot' 4-6-0s were not common at Cheltenham and Gloucester. So it was a surprise to see 46162 'Queen's Westminster Rifleman' on a Birmingham - Worcester - Gloucester stopping passenger. It bears a 14B Kentish Town shedplate. In June 1961 46162 was transferred to 21A Saltley and became more or less an everyday sight along with other class members transferred to Leeds- Derby - Bristol/ Bath services. Photo Robin Stanton

Ex works and a long way from home

There were only six engines in the 0-6-0PT 1366 class and they were certainly not an everyday sight at Hatherley, but Robin - tipped off by his colleagues further back along the line - was able to take this shot of ex-works 1369 as it steamed gently down the relief, with a long way to go before getting to its home shed of 71G Weymouth. The loco worked as a docks shunter including hauling passenger trains very slowly along the Quay line through the streets. The reason for 1369's passage on the Cheltenham to Gloucester section was because it had been shopped at Wolverhampton Works in early 1962. Another of the class, 1367, was similarly spotted at Gloucester in June 1960. Photo Robin Stanton

With increasing dieselisation, often there was no immediate requirement even for ex-works steam locos and 5905 'Knowsley Hall' came from Swindon Works for a period of storage at Horton Road - note the cloth over the chimney. I 'copped' the loco here on 11 March 1962, it was certainly rare, being shedded at 87J Goodwick(Fishguard) throughout BR days. 5905 was the last but two 'Hall' s I needed to 'clear' the class. It was still in residence on 17 June 1962 when I noted that the nameplates had been removed....Withdrawn in July 1963, it apparently went to Cooper's Metals at Sharpness for scrapping. Photo Stephen Mourton

Peckett power

I was fortunate to be trainspotting at Lansdown Junction on 31 August 1955, when the usual light engine to Worcester which came down on the morning local to Gloucester went back home. But this day the large Prairie tank, 8106, was towing a brand new industrial steam loco, 'Cadbury Bournville No.10', this 0-4-0ST built by Pecketts of Bristol.

In early 1963 when Cadbury's donated 'Cadbury Bournville No. 1' to the Dowty RPS, Ashchurch, they also sold No.10 to the National Coal Board and it worked at a colliery in Kent.

Another Peckett, S10 'Hallen' an 0-6-0ST, is seen at Cheltenham Gas Works on 23 May 1965. 'Hallen' replaced a much smaller Peckett, an 0-4-0ST, and arrived at the gasworks in September 1964, presumably by rail. The loco originally worked at the Port of Bristol Authority which had an extensive railway system at Avonmouth. Note it is fitted with vacuum gear, as the PBA locos worked passenger trains in the docks. Being an 0-6-0ST, it was probably not suited to the sharply curved track in the gasworks, which was connected to High Street goods yard. I have not seen any pictures of it at work here. It was sold to a Gloucester scrapyard for cutting up in late 1967.

One way trip

The GWR had lots of 0-6-0PT over the years - the one here, 2069, was the last of the venerable 2021 class, built at Wolverhampton Works around the turn of the century. Sadly it was being towed from its final workplace, 6C Birkenhead, to Swindon Works for scrap. But en route it sustained a hot box so was put off at Malvern Road West for about three days before resuming the journey. Photo on 11 April 1959 by Jim Irwin

Special Loco

Saturday 27 May 1961 was a special day for a special loco, preserved Midland Compound 1000, resplendent in crimson lake livery, seen here at Hatherley on its way to Gloucester to return north later on an enthusiasts' special. 1000 was no stranger to the area, having been shedded at Gloucester Barnwood.

Note open fields beyond the railway towards Benhall, though the builder's hoarding has gone up to signify that new houses will be coming soon.

Photo by Dave Smith

Unusual motive power classes

Northern visitor

You wouldn't expect to see a 'Clan' Pacific in the area, with this small class of ten shedded at Carlisle and Polmadie, Glasgow. But 72005 'Clan Macgregor' of 12A Carlisle Kingmoor appeared on 9 July 1960, having worked down to Bristol on an overnight passenger before returning north on the Saturday with M314, 7.45am Paignton - Newcastle, due through Cheltenham at 12.30pm. This picture shows it at Blackwell.

Apparently another 'Clan' was seen in Gloucester on a freight in the mid-1960s.

Southern visitor 1

Operating difficulties on the Somerset & Dorset route saw the 'Pines Express' diverted via Bristol and hauled to Birmingham New Street by unrebuilt West Country Pacific 34102 'Lapford' on 5 December 1960. This caused a huge fuss to say the least and the engine returned on the down 'Pines' next day, seen here at Eastgate station. The up 'Pines' on 7 December had rebuilt Pacific 34053 'Sir Keith Park' into Gloucester where it was replaced and went onto Barnwood shed. It had become apparent that the 'Pacifics' were running short of coal on the journey from Bournemouth to Birmingham via the diversionary route. Photo Roger Smith

Southern visitor 2

BR Standard 2-6-4T 80133 was very unusual motive power for the 7.30am Gloucester - Bristol stopper on 22 August 1964, seen here at Berkeley Road. It went to the London, Tilbury & Southend section when new, but had been in South Wales since July 1962, latterly at 87E Landore. The engine has no shedplate in this picture because I believe it is on the way to another shed, 70B Feltham, on the Southern Region and this is part of the transfer move. 80XXX were seen at Gloucester on Hereford trains, but rarely at Cheltenham; one, 80037 of 83G Templecombe, a former Southern Region depot, did appear in September 1965 on the 17.00 Gloucester Central - Cheltenham St James' passenger working running in after repairs at Horton Road. Its shedmate 80041 had visited Horton Road the previous month.

Eastern visitor 1

J94 0-6-0ST 68012, one of 75 of this type numbered in B R Eastern Region stock, looks in good fettle as it stands at Docks Branch Sidings. But it is actually on the way to a scrapyard in Newport, the last of its class on BR to be withdrawn, in October 1967, after working at Williamthorpe Colliery in Derbyshire. At the time, many more of this standard War Department loco type were still at work in collieries and military establishments and were sometimes seen passing through Gloucester on transfer movements, including J94 68070 sold by BR in 1963 to the National Coal Board Opencast Executive.

Gloucester witnessed the passage of withdrawn locos being towed to scrapyards in South Wales, as dead locos were not allowed to be taken through the Severn Tunnel.

Eastern visitor 2

Eastern Region class O1 2-8-0 63589 is an unusual visitor to Barnwood on 26 February 1961, probably arriving on a special freight from the East Midlands. On 17 December 1960 I saw class O4 63754 of 40E Colwick on Barnwood, it came light engine from the Cheltenham direction. A few other LNER 2-8-0s were seen here over the years, including O4/3 63686, an ROD type, in October 1957 and O4/6 63705 of 41H Staveley Great Central shed on 13 February 1963, which came down on a freight five days earlier. Photo Roger Smith

Eastern visitor 3

Class K3 2-6-0 61853 of 56B Ardsley finds a role piloting 45662 'Kempenfelt' on the 12.48pm York - Bristol express on 14 May 1960. The location is Defford.

I saw 61853 the previous day at Cheltenham.

Surprisingly enough for a rare engine from a rare shed, it appeared in Cheltenham and Gloucester again in early November 1962, this time on freight train duties. Photo Tim Farebrother

Preserved Pacific 1

Saved from the scrapyard. Pictured at Malvern Road on 20 April 1964 is Stanier Pacific 6229 'Duchess of Hamilton' fresh from Crewe Works, where it had been repainted into LMS maroon livery for its new owner, Butlins of holiday camp fame, with its destination being Minehead. This was a very good move, because the loco was thus spared from being broken up and in 1975 was relocated to the National Railway Museum in York, eventually being restored to working order. On this date 6229 was being hauled by 6825 'Llanvair Grange'. Photo Robin Stanton

Preserved Pacific 2 Arguably the most famous steam loco of all in the UK - 'Flying Scotsman' - appeared in Cheltenham at least twice in the 1960s after being purchased for preservation by Alan Pegler. On this occasion, it has just three coaches including (I think) the 'Devon Belle' observation car at the rear.Can't read the board on the smokebox, but presumably this was a private jaunt for friends and maybe 'bigwigs' on a jolly day out. I believe it returned north the same day, whenever it was. Photo Robin Stanton

Luxury DMU The Western Region had three diesel Pullman units working from Paddington to Bristol, South Wales, Birmingham and Wolverhampton, whilst the Midland Region had two Pullmans out of St Pancras from September 1960, but none ever worked regular services through Cheltenham and Gloucester. Nonetheless here is one of the units powering northbound through Hatherley in the early 1960s, with fields in the background, predating the Benhall Estate houses built here alongside the railway. An 8-car WR set made several test runs from the Metro-Cammell works at Washwood Heath, Birmingham, during February 1960 (including the 3rd) and was seen passing through Barnt Green and is also believed to have worked to Bristol and back via the Midland route at this time.*

On at least one occasion the South Wales Pullman was used for a football excursion from Swansea to Birmingham. There is a picture of that working at Bromsgrove, about to ascend the Lickey Incline - with an 0-6-0PT as banker!

The Pullmans look like the forerunners to the very successful High Speed Trains introduced by BR in the mid 1970s and which have become so familiar in the area on both cross-country and London services over many years. All the Pullman DMUs were withdrawn in 1973. The WR organised the 'Blue Pullman Commemorative' tour which ran on 5 May 1973 and came down through Cheltenham on its way from Birmingham New Street to Bristol. Photo Robin Stanton

Banned Steam 1

And finally, a couple of preserved steam shots at a time when 'real' steam in the area was extinct and indeed 'banned' by BR, so these next two scenes could be viewed as unusual.

LMS Pacific 46201 'Princess Elizabeth' went to the Bristol Bath Road Open Day on 20 October 1967 from its base at Ashchurch. No diesel at the head, it went down solo to Gloucester where 7808 'Cookham Manor' joined it,having also come from Ashchurch. The locos came back separately on Monday 22 October. This may be the only time 'Lizzie' was on the main line in green BR livery in its preserved days.

Here is 'Lizzie' on the main line, just south of Ashchurch, the signal being the first up home signal there; the distant is the inner accelerating signal - there was a similar signal under the down home arm at the entrance to the goods loop. Only the home arm is off as this will not be a through move+.The loco will reverse into the Dowty sidings just north of Ashchurch station. Photo Ken Vincent.

Banned Steam 2

7808 'Cookham Manor' looking very spick and span after the Bath Road Open Day in October 1967 on its way home, passing the closed Mangotsfield station on the Midland route out of Bristol. Gloucester Horton Road's Mike Farkas was the fireman on this working. Photo Ken Vincent.

Footnotes

* See website http://www.railcar.co.uk/type/blue-pullman/which has lots of information about the Blue Pullmans.

+ Thanks to Richard Etherton for the confirming the location and for the signalling information.

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