trivia oldest and newest together

[Ashley Hill]

It seems to be based on this Southern Railway era photo, but with the King Arthur replaced with a rebuilt Bulleid Pacific

That’s Seaton Junction.

 

[Harvester]

Only one of the three Adams 4-4-2 tanks was needed to work the Branch, with the other two being kept at Exmouth Junction. Working from 72A in 1960, these engines might have encountered a brand new ‘Warship’ or two, if dispatched down to Exeter SD.

 

[ped316]

I did suspect they were as I was aware that some Gresley buffets lasted long enough to get Blue/Grey (as you point out), but didn't want to leap to a conclusion, so I played it safe lol

 

[Gloster]

The West Country class were rebuilt as virtually new locomotives between 1957 and 1961, and were regulars at Axminster until Warship diesels took over in 1962 (not coincidentally, when the Adams tanks were replaced by dmus) .
This is a painting, but shows what mighht have been a typical scene c 1960

It seems to be based on this Southern Railway era photo, but with the King Arthur replaced with a rebuilt Bulleid Pacific

What is particularly interesting about the photo is that the tank on the right does not appear to be an ex-LSWR type, but a Brighton one. It is presumably one of the D1 tanks that were leant to the ex-LSWR lines as a temporary measure circa 1930 following problems with the South-Western‘s push-pull apparatus.

 

[Rescars]

What is particularly interesting about the photo is that the tank on the right does not appear to be an ex-LSWR type, but a Brighton one. It is presumably one of the D1 tanks that were leant to the ex-LSWR lines as a temporary measure circa 1930 following problems with the South-Western‘s push-pull apparatus.

In the painting, is that a LSWR M7 working the branch? For our purposes, its a pity the D1s didn't last longer on this working, as they dated back to 1873 whilst the M7s first appeared in 1897. It's also intriguing that the artist has changed the branch line loco headcode and dropped off the last carriage on its train. Does this just capture historical accuracy, or is there some other significance in this I wonder?

 

[Gloster]

In the painting, is that a LSWR M7 working the branch? For our purposes, its a pity the D1s didn't last longer on this working, as they dated back to 1873 whilst the M7s first appeared in 1897. It's also intriguing that the artist has changed the branch line loco headcode and dropped off the last carriage on its train. Does this just capture historical accuracy, or is there some other significance in this I wonder?

No, I think it is an LBSCR type: look at the shape of the cab roof in particular. The D1 were only in the west for a year or two, but I am fairly sure that they did work the Seaton branch. A pure guess is that the normal train length with the M7 was two coaches and this is what is accurately represented in the painting. He presumably looked at other photos taken around the station and, based on them, altered some of the details in the final painting, including the headcode. For that matter, it could be that the various photos of the branch train that he looked at showed it elsewhere in the station with the branch code up, but the in the photo it had been taken off as the set was shunting. It is also possible (no more) that the third coach was a through one to Waterloo and the train had moved forward to be ready to shunt it on to the rear of an Up train once it was in the platform.

 

[westernpunk]

what about tiny broad guage loco built 1868 although only on display at newton station until 1980 in its lifetime, it would have been in the proximity of all manor of motive power from south devon railway right up to hst,s

 

[Rescars]

No, I think it is an LBSCR type: look at the shape of the cab roof in particular. The D1 were only in the west for a year or two, but I am fairly sure that they did work the Seaton branch. A pure guess is that the normal train length with the M7 was two coaches and this is what is accurately represented in the painting. He presumably looked at other photos taken around the station and, based on them, altered some of the details in the final painting, including the headcode. For that matter, it could be that the various photos of the branch train that he looked at showed it elsewhere in the station with the branch code up, but the in the photo it had been taken off as the set was shunting. It is also possible (no more) that the third coach was a through one to Waterloo and the train had moved forward to be ready to shunt it on to the rear of an Up train once it was in the platform.

I agree. Everything about the profile of the branch loco in the photo shouts LBSC. Although it's not very distinct, I think there is a single headcode disc being carried at twelve o'clock at the top of its smokebox. In the photo, the first carriage appears to be the odd one out, with a different roof line profile and only a single set of ventilators. Others may know the significance of this.

On the matter of Gresley buffets, at least part of the kitchen equipment in 9135 was preserved in working order. Its pantry's propane fired Still Set was the source of tea and coffee for the staff who accompanied the NRM's Catering Centenary Train on its tour around the UK in 1979.

The "Centenary Express" booklet published by NRM to accompany the Catering Centenary Train states that Gresley buffet 9135 operated in BR revenue service "as recently as 1977". During restoration the original interior was recreated, but "We have chosen to retain some of the modernised equipment fitted in the 1950s, partly for practical operational reasons...."

 

[30907]

In the photo, the first carriage appears to be the odd one out, with a different roof line profile and only a single set of ventilators. Others may know the significance of this.

The photo shows a Gate Stock PP set as the 2nd/3rd coaches, which the painting has copied (not strictly correct by 1960ish, but a nice idea).

Back to Axminster, while a diesel of any sort would be a rarity (though I have seen a photo of a Warship at Crewkerne on diversion), BR standard 3 and Ivatt 2 tanks were allocated to Exmouth Jn and were booked to reach Axminster. A Standard 5 replacing an Arthur might also have made it West. So early 50's stuff.

 

[Ashley Hill]

what about tiny broad guage loco built 1868 although only on display at newton station until 1980 in its lifetime, it would have been in the proximity of all manor of motive power from south devon railway right up to hst,s

Good call,I’d forgotten about Tiny!

 

[Rescars]

In similar vein to Tiny, wasn't Locomotion displayed at Darlington Bank Top until 1975?

 

[D6130]

In similar vein to Tiny, wasn't Locomotion displayed at Darlington Bank Top until 1975?

Correct.

 

[Bevan Price]

In the painting, is that a LSWR M7 working the branch? For our purposes, its a pity the D1s didn't last longer on this working, as they dated back to 1873 whilst the M7s first appeared in 1897. It's also intriguing that the artist has changed the branch line loco headcode and dropped off the last carriage on its train. Does this just capture historical accuracy, or is there some other significance in this I wonder?

Yes. It is a Class M7, push/pull fitted. I cannot decipher the entire numberplate, but it starts with 30xxx, which is correct for ex-LSWR locos.
It is a different tank loco in the black & white picture.

The loco on the far left looks like a Class S15 4-6-0 in both pictures.

 

[Rescars]

Yes. It is a Class M7, push/pull fitted. I cannot decipher the entire numberplate, but it starts with 30xxx, which is correct for ex-LSWR locos.
It is a different tank loco in the black & white picture.

The loco on the far left looks like a Class S15 4-6-0 in both pictures.

For the sake of completeness, can anyone identify the class of loco heading the train standing at the main line platform?

 

[simonw]

what about tiny broad guage loco built 1868 although only on display at newton station until 1980 in its lifetime, it would have been in the proximity of all manor of motive power from south devon railway right up to hst,s

As well as manors, castles, stars, halls, prairies etc

 

[30907]

For the sake of completeness, can anyone identify the class of loco heading the train standing at the main line platform?

In the painting? It has a Maunsell cab, a Belpaire firebox and I think SR smoke deflectors which would fit with an N or U (it's not a Nelson).
In the original? Far too indistinct, but most likely in the 30s an ex LSWR 4-4-0 on a stopper.

 

[westernpunk]

As well as manors, castles, stars, halls, prairies etc

even brittanias

 

[simonw]

even brittanias

My post was a pun on your use of manor rather than manner

 

[Harvester]

For the sake of completeness, can anyone identify the class of loco heading the train standing at the main line platform?

It definitely has smoke deflectors, and could well be a Maunsell ‘U’ Class 2-6-0. Quite a few were allocated to Yeovil around that time.

 

[30907]

It definitely has smoke deflectors, and could well be a Maunsell ‘U’ Class 2-6-0. Quite a few were allocated to Yeovil around that time.

Agree - Ns on passenger east of Exeter seem to have been rare.

 

[randyrippley]

Back on the SR, while the Beattie well-tanks might not have met a D6300 at Wadebridge in 1962, Standard 3MT tanks worked as far as Axminster where the Adams 0415s were a good 70 years older.

This page (Page is a pictorial record of the closed Durston-Yeovil line)

Taunton to Yeovil

Taunton to Yeovil via Durston

www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk

has two photos of 30585 at Yeovil Town in August 1962, around the same time as a class 22 was outbased at Yeovil Town shed for pilot/banking duties on Evershot bank. It's possible that they met

http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/uploads/7/6/8/3/7683812/6420086_orig.jpg

http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/uploads/7/6/8/3/7683812/4044586_orig.jpg

 

[Irascible]

That’s Seaton Junction.

And what a sad state it's in now. Most of it is still there under the trees, mind. Oddly the Seaton train is going the wrong way out of the station, so presumably it's either off for servicing or just parked there for some reason.

I wonder if there were any WR diversions via Yeovil before the Adams tanks went.

 

[Gloster]

The line the branch passenger is on in both the photo and painting connected just below the viewpoint into the Down Loop line. There are all sorts of reasons why the train might have pulled forward into the siding, such as detaching the loco so it could go off to do something else, shunting a through coach onto an Up train or collecting one from a Down, detaching the extra third coach, etc.

And what a sad state it's in now. Most of it is still there under the trees, mind. Oddly the Seaton train is going the wrong way out of the station, so presumably it's either off for servicing or just parked there for some reason.

I wonder if there were any WR diversions via Yeovil before the Adams tanks went.

They were two different Regions and ne’er the twain shall meet. It would have to be a very major blockage to force one Region to ask another for help, although by the 1960s it was just beginning to be accepted. N.b. the M7 were a Drummond design.

 

[30907]

The line the branch passenger is on in both the photo and painting connected just below the viewpoint into the Down Loop line. There are all sorts of reasons why the train might have pulled forward into the siding, such as detaching the loco so it could go off to do something else, shunting a through coach onto an Up train or collecting one from a Down, detaching the extra third coach, etc.

In the original the branch train appears to be shunting within the down sidings.

They were two different Regions and ne’er the twain shall meet. It would have to be a very major blockage to force one Region to ask another for help, although by the 1960s it was just beginning to be accepted. N.b. the M7 were a Drummond dedesign.

And WR diversions did (if rarely) happen, see my post #99.

 

[theageofthetra]

slightly cheating but whats the newest stock seen at aberystwyth theres going to be quite an age gap there
V o r ex gwr 1923 vintage and whatever the newest stock on the mainline is

Don't forget Fire Queen of 1848 is currently sitting the shed adjacent to the BR line

 

[theageofthetra]

Were Queen Mary brake vans whose origins are ex LSWR electric power cars attached to a relatively modern loco on an engineering train?

 

[30907]

Were Queen Mary brake vans whose origins are ex LBSCR (edited) electric power cars attached to a relatively modern loco on an engineering train?

Quite possibly, and one or two lasted into the 90s, but they were built post grouping so not that old - 70 year gap to an EWS class 66 max.

 

[Gloster]

Quite possibly, and one or two lasted into the 90s, but they were built post grouping so not that old - 70 year gap to an EWS class 66 max.

The original conversions from luggage vans built in 1923 and 1924 were withdrawn by 1960, but a few remained in use until 1964. The new build dated from 1936 and a few lasted into the current century.