Whilst sorting through some boxes in the loft I came across a cardboard box which contained over 200 slides of steam and diesel locomotives. Some of these slides date to the late 1950's for steam and for the diesel the mid 1980's. So as a departure from the normal format of the sidings I'd thought share some of these photos. Collett 4 cylinder 4-6-0 Castle class loco 7000 Viscount Portal. These locos were traditionally named after castles but some were named after prominent people or Second World War aircraft. In those cases a small name plate was added to the splasher denoting that the loco was a Castle Class. Since the 1920's western region locomotives had been classified for power and weight by a letter on coloured disc on the cab side. The red circle over the cab side number plate indicates the power classification D . The coloured circle indicates the route over which the engine may work. Red engines are limited to the main lines and lines capable of carrying the heaviest locos. Another castle class loco 5090 Neath Abbey at Shrewsbury awaiting departure, tender loaded to capacity with coal. A good head of steam is being raised indicated by the glow from the fire box and the fact that the safety valves have lifted. Churchward 2-8-0 4700 5ft 8ins driving wheels, express mixed traffic engines they were frequently used on passenger trains. A very small class of only 9 locos they were built between 1919 and 1923. All were scrapped between 1962 and 1964 Collett 0-6-0 built between 1930 and 1948. Withdrawal of this class began in 1958 and was completed in 1965. In this shed scene note the various fire irons and shovels in the front of the loco. The loco has a power classification of B and a yellow route classification, meaning that this loco could travel over nearly the whole of the network. The next 2 photos depict LMS type locos on shed. Unfortunately these slides are starting to fade due to age. So from my point I've now got a race against time to get these slides stored in a digital format. If you've got slides stored away have you checked them recently? Black five 44775. A total of 842 engines were constructed by the LMS and BR between 1934 and 1951. There are number of sub divisions within the class provided by difference in boiler mountings, special valve gears, roller bearings, double chimneys. Withdrawal began in 1962 but one hundred and fifty were still in steam in early 1968 when they too were withdrawn. LMS 8F 2-8-0 at rest. Is this the end of the line for this lady? 663 of these locos were built originally from Crewe but during the war year's large number were produced not only by outside builders but also by the LNER, GWR and the SR. Over one hundred and fifty were still in service in early 1968.

This page updated September 2009