D49 62718 Kinross-shire

[neilgow]

I wonder if anyone can be of assistance, during early 1960 I copped 62718 in the Yorkshire area, it may have been at York or Driffield on the Hull to Bridlington line. According to the Ian Allan shed books it was a 64A St Margarets engine. The RCTS state it was withdrawn in April 1961.

Could anyone enlighten me as to why a Scottish D49 would come south. If it was following a repair, would it not have gone to Inverurie or Cowlairs rather than Doncaster or Darlington. Perhaps it was heading a railtour as it would have been one of the last D49's.

It would be nice to satisfy my longstanding curiosity.

Many thanks.

[Bryan]

Just checked
http://www.britishsteam.com/
It lists 62718 as being withdrawn Apr 61 and cut in May at Darlington.

Was it sent down from Scotland in 60 and used for a while in Yorkshire?

[gresleybear]

Hello,

According to the Yeadon's Register, this engine's last visit to Cowlairs was in 1946. Thereafter, even thought it continued to be shedded at St. Margaret's, it went south for repairs at Darlington and even once at Gateshead. Hope this helps.

John

[Solario]

Unfortunately I did not ever see Kinross-shire. The Hull area was my stamping ground although it could easily have passed through on the odd occasion without me seeing it or hearing about it.

I wonder if it was on a running in turn from Darlington, or had been commandeered by Darlington shed for a duty?

1960 would have been a bit late for a repair though, they disappeared from East Yorkshire about that time.

The only Scottish D49 that appeared in East Yorkshire regularly was 62717 Banffshire and that was shedded at Botanic Gardens for a few years.

[stembok]

I never saw anything concerning 62718 in Yorkshire in early 1960, though I emphasize that that is not to say it didn't happen. Certain events have always slipped through the net unnoticed. Is there any date/place given in Yeadon for 62718's final repair, whether general, intermediate - perhaps unlikely in early 1960 given the record of class withdrawals - or casual which might provide a clue? Were there any sightings or mentions in the RCTS Railway Observer for the period in question? Again ,however, if there were not it does not mean it didn't take place. Does anyone happen to know the D49 (s) which were the last to be granted a major repair?

[HAL O THE WYND]

One hundred percent sighting of 62718 at Heaton in early 1960.

[neilgow]

Well, at least I know it got into England during 1960 and East Yorkshire is not too far from Heaton.

I queried the RCTS with no luck and trawled through the "Trains Illustrated" of that era with no luck either.

Whilst on the subject of unknown locomotives, I passed through Leeds City Station on one of the following Saturdays, the 8th or 15th July 1967, I noticed a Brittannia in steam nearby, clocked the number but have forgotten most of it except that it ended in a 4 ie 700?4. Would anyone have a record of that day in Leeds? I would be nice to put my curiousity to rest.

Thank you.

[neilgow]

I just googled 62718 Kinross-shire and came across a series of images of several D49's including 62718, at what looks to be St Margarets shed, all dated June/July 1960.

[harvester]

Neilgow,
I recorded 70014 on Farnley shed in July 67 but cannot yet find exact log of dates, but as others have said your memory can play tricks! Might narrow your search down a bit.

[neilgow]

Following information sent to Tommy Knox and his reply, it can be said with some certainty that I saw the engine at York on Friday 29th July 1960.

I forwarded to him a list of Pacifics seen that day and a combination of a few engines engines pinned it down to that day.

Rgds and thanks.

NG

[strang steel]

What a great historical resource his database proves to be. It would be wonderful if he could somehow publish it (in book form maybe?). I think that many an unusual sighting/memory or undated photo might then be resolved.