"Foreign" visitors to loco works - was there any rhyme or reason?

[70014IronDuke]

The increase in the size of the fleet was probably the biggest factor, but you are right that the labour market was a driver for moving work out of London.


I'd very much like to find a photo of a Toffee Apple dragging EMUs on the Cambridge-Bletchley line!

I have D5510 hauling unit 040 on Cambridge branch on (it looks like) Sept 3rd or 4th, 1965.
D5509 plus 256 on December 21st.
D5500 plus 615 On Jan 4th, 1966.

Sorry, no photos. Dates may not be 100% correct as I can't read my own writing from those times - it's too fine.
We didn't call them Toffee Apples. They were just like the lot of 'em, Brush 2s.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

The increase in the size of the fleet was probably the biggest factor,

This was the reason the new shed was built at the East End of Ilford depot to accommodate the Southend line stock. They had an overhead crane for body lifts, to access traction motors, and (presume) a wheel lathe as well, but can't confirm latter. Very much akin to Wimbledon depot in the operational sense, although the latter now has a bogie drop also.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Woodhead EM1s and EM2s were overhauled at Crewe after the closure of Gorton in 1963. Some of the drags to Crewe were steam-hauled initially.

 

[Magdalia]

I have D5510 hauling unit 040 on Cambridge branch on (it looks like) Sept 3rd or 4th, 1965.
D5509 plus 256 on December 21st.
D5500 plus 615 On Jan 4th, 1966.

Sorry, no photos. Dates may not be 100% correct as I can't read my own writing from those times - it's too fine.
We didn't call them Toffee Apples. They were just like the lot of 'em, Brush 2s.

Thanks for these. They look like school holidays!

04/09/65 was a Saturday so 3rd looks more likely for D5510.

The variety of EMUs is greater than I expected.

 

[AndrewP]

Sounds to me like BR was ahead of it's time with the establishment of what consultanty types (like me) would call Centres of Excellence where if one place was really good at something then use its expertise.

All makes good sense to me

 

[greyman42]

I remember York BREL used to refurbish some of NSE loco hauled rolling stock.