Britain's Railways in Unseen Black & White Preview

Britain’s Railways in Unseen Black &White

Compiled Compiled by

by Kevin Kevinby Robertson Robertson Compiled Images from the Transport Treasury Library

Britain’s Railways in Unseen Black &White

Compiled by Kevin Robertson

Britain’s Railways in Unseen Black &White Early modernisation at Stratford, Brush Type 2, later class 31, No D5501 on the fuelling point. The Brush Type 2 class were some of the earliest main line diesels to operate successfully on the BR network. Destined to have an operational life of slightly less than 19 years, others of a similar type lasted far longer. No 31001, as it had become, was broken up at Doncaster in 1977. The early diesel classes could truly be said to be a transition from steam, hence the same headcode type lights and provision for discs that simply clipped down.

The connecting doors were rarely used in practice when the engines worked in multiple although the intention was that the second-man could make his way through to attend to the engine and more especially the train heat boiler should this be necessary. No doubt many former steam men appreciated the ease of refuelling a diesel: a bit different to the need to go under a coaling plant. Ref: V255/2

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Britain’s Railways in Unseen Black &White Below: Another Cambrian scene and again at Barmouth. The high vantage point is courtesy of the hill by Pocklington Terrace. The train, possibly hauled by a 53xx type, is just passing over the rebuilt Chapel Viaduct near the Sailor’s Institute, former GW coaching stock throughout. A good collection of elderly bone-shakers are parked around the harbour. Notice too the road markings – a single solid white line in the centre of the road at the corners. Ref: 451 Opposite Top: Two pairs of new Metropolitan-Cammell Diesel Multiple Units, one at least identified as No E79274 which would later be sent to Lincoln. In the background an LMS type 2-6-0 has charge of an unknown working whilst immediately in front there is a marked contrast between the brand new diesel and what are probably departmental vehicles. A J type tank engine is also busy with some wagon movement. Ref: V137/2 Opposite Bottom: The diesels have arrived – well the shunters at least. A number of 204hp and 350hp engines outside the ‘New Shed’ at Stratford and from this angle an excellent indication too of the amount of work associated with steam engine maintenance – ash removal, etc. A number of staff, senior or otherwise, appear to be contemplating the future, the days of steam and, as it transpired Stratford, are numbered. Apart from at the end, this particular building had no roof ventilation and consequently was used for the bulk of necessary repair work. Ref: 234

An example of the once numerous J15 0-6-0 type at the Suffolk coastal terminus of Aldeburgh on 26 June 1953. Originally opened in 1860 by the East Suffolk Railway from a junction at Saxmundham, this picturesque little line survived for 106 years until defeated by Dr Beeching in 1966. The train is seen here under the original overall roof which itself lasted well into BR days but was removed and not replaced in 1965. Part of the route, but not the site of the terminus, is still used today for nuclear flask traffic from the Sizewell nuclear power station whilst at the terminus a roundabout occupies where the station used to be.

The engine No. 65459 seen had a useful working life of 54 years from 1906 to 1960, services on the branch giving way from steam to diesel units for the final years of working. Ref: 77/A/1/1 67

Britain’s Railways in Unseen Black &White

Above: It is 24 April 1948 and just less than five months into public ownership at Liverpool Street. The smoky atmosphere of Liverpool Street is apparent, and in a few years’ time will be replaced by the far more unpleasant smell of diesel fumes that followed. On the right we have B12 4-6-0 No 61569 in the process, so Roy tells us, of leaving. Centre is a semi-renumbered B1 No 61044 carrying its new identity painted on the front buffer beam; a temporary arrangement that would later be replaced with a cast smokebox number plate. Finally left is an almost unidentified K2, although this may be LNER 1756 – later BR 61756. Ref: 34/B/6/2 Opposite Top: Strange sight at King’s Cross. Southern Region Merchant Navy 4-6-2 No 35019 French Line CGT attached to a standard LMS tender and seen during the period of regional interchange working, 18 May 1948.

Robin Riddles, the incumbent Chief Mechanical Engineer of the whole of British Railways, had instigated trials between the former express, medium power and freight engines of the four pre-nationalisation companies, the idea being to assess the best of each and combine these into a new standard design. Whether the resultant 999 Standard type engines built achieved this will for ever be open to debate although I think it would be fair to say the Merchant Navy class contributed, well, ‘not a lot’. That is not to say they were a bad design, far from it, the ability of the boiler to generate steam for example was superb, but generally they were far better in later years when rebuilt although again others might disagree. No 35019 is seen here carrying several passengers as well – a pilot man always accompanied the Southern crew wherever they went whilst the engine was attached to an LMS type tender in order that a water scoop could be used on the longer runs; there being no water troughs on the Southern. Ref: 37/A/6/5 Opposite Bottom: A bonded track circuit joint on bull-head track. How many of us may have looked at such an installation but never dreamed of photographing it? The logic and need was simple, to ensure electrical conductivity was maintained between the two pieces of rail. To be fair the presence of the fishplate and its associated bolts should have achieved the same result but this was not always totally reliable especially as fishplates and bolts were deliberately removed periodically so that all may be greased. The reason for that exercise was simply that when it became time for rail replacement / turning, the task could be more readily accomplished if the bolts and fishplates came away easily. The welding bond would also have to be broken at this stage. Ref: 38/A/4/4

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Britain’s Railways in Unseen Black &White

Another light engine working on the Southern, this time between Redhill and Godstone, and C2X No 32450.

Light engines are restricted to a limited speed for reason of brake power although it is doubtful if No 32450 would achieve much more than 30mph on its travels. Ref: 73/A/3/3

Fresh from overhaul at Doncaster on 7 May 1953 is A2 No 60530 Sayajirao. No 60530 was a British Railways build completed at Doncaster in March 1948, finding its first home at King’s Cross. It later moved to Peterborough and by 1950 was in Scotland where it remained until the end of a tragically short life in 1966.

Ref: 72/C/4/6

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A day to remember. The footplate crew of J17 0-6-0 No 65507 have allowed some children to have a footplate visit whilst paused in their duties in charge of a pick-up freight at Hopton-on-Sea. (This station was located between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft and closed in 1970.) Unofficial footplate visits and indeed unofficial trips on the footplate were fairly commonplace at wayside stations in the steam era; far enough away from officialdom and providing something a child might remember for a long time to come. Ref: 82/C/5/3

Hopton-on-Sea also played host to a Camping Coach at the same time, the family clearly enjoying the break from routine and later able to tell their friends they had enjoyed a different type of holiday. Probably also some from the same group we saw pictured in the previous image. Note the chocks under the wheels to prevent the vehicle moving. Facilities were probably best described as basic, but it was still a break and in reality little different to what was commonplace in private houses at the time. No confirmed date but likely circa 1953/4.

Ref: 82/C/6/2 91

The R E Vincent collection of black and white railway images mainly covers the early 1950s, a time of tradition and yet also one of subtle change. Tradition in that the scenes of yesterday often continued unaltered just as they had for decades, apart that is perhaps for a different painting style to reflect the now nationalised ownership. Change though was afoot in new standard types of steam engine and in an era where the internal combustion engine was beginning to make its mark, resulting in the closure of branch lines and stations. As a professional railwayman Roy seemed to often be in the know, taking the opportunity to visit places that would one day be altered completely or even swept away completely.

Roy’s images concentrate mainly on the Eastern and Western Regions of British Railways with a few excursions to the former Midland, and also the South Western lines.

His eye for the unusual placing the railway within the context of the landscape is well known. This new book consisting mainly of unpublished material needs no excuse as an exercise in nostalgia.

ISBN 978-1-913251-30-7

14.95