The last A4 - what is the truth?

[Meg Merrilies]

It's looking like I can only believe one or the other . . . unless there's a rational explanation that may reconcile the two statements?

In the magazine "LNER Pacifics", which appears to have been written with a fair degree of accurate information, I am left a bit puzzled by the following:

On page 54 it states "The next day (September 5th 1966) 60019 Bittern was the last 'A4' withdrawn . . ."

However ~ on page 15 it states "It was on this route on September 14th 1966 that No. 60024 Kingfisher, returning to Glasgow (from Aberdeen) became the last 'A4' operated by British Railways."

So, which statement is correct?

[Andy W]

Both - 60019 and 60024 were officially withdrawn on the 5th September 1966 but 60024 was used in traffic on both the 13th and 14th September.

Using locomotives in traffic after official withdrawal was unusual but not unknown. There are several other examples.

[Meg Merrilies]

Thanks Andy.

[Coboman]

Both - 60019 and 60024 were officially withdrawn on the 5th September 1966 but 60024 was used in traffic on both the 13th and 14th September.

Using locomotives in traffic after official withdrawal was unusual but not unknown. There are several other examples.

Slightly off topic, but to prove your point.....
heres a link to a picture of a loco that kept A4s alive working more than 6 months after it was withdrawn used for shunting.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johngreytu ... /lightbox/

[richard]

And I have a photo somewhere of a J36 (iirc), on a local coal working in Scotland, a few months after "the end of Scottish steam"...


Richard

[Deepol]

Bittern on the day of the last official A4 run from Glasgow to Aberdeen.

[Blink Bonny]

There is a story that Bittern was used briefly on freight working from Healy Mills yard and a picture exists of her in the reception sidings there, supposedly after withdrawal. "Motive power shortage, mate!"

[EM2]

There is a story that Bittern was used briefly on freight working from Healy Mills yard and a picture exists of her in the reception sidings there, supposedly after withdrawal. "Motive power shortage, mate!"
Could that have been when Bittern was being moved to Walton Colliery for storage?
Both Bittern and Blue Peter were inside Healey Mills depot on Saturday 21 October 1978 when they were in transit from Walton Colliery to Dinting.

[Blink Bonny]

It could be. I do remember that the engine had middle and right up. It was a library book, in the Ian Allen colour "landscape" series about A4s.