Last day of steam at North Woolwich

[locojoe]

Does anyone know what were the locomotives used on the last steam workings on
the North Woolwich-Stratford-Palace Gates line services on 8th September 1962.

[Pyewipe Junction]

All the photos I have seen of the last days of this service show trains being hauled by L1s.

The BR Database shows the following L1s allocated to Stratford in August 1962: 67703/16/23/24/29/34. I would therefore suggest it is likely to have been one of these. All were withdrawn in September 1962.

[locojoe]

Thanks for the info Pyewipe, my guess was L1s but I was not sure. Same as you all I've read and the photos I've seen seem to indicate L1s were used in the final days at North Woolwich. Also N7s were used on this route after the Gobblers F class.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

Cannot help with the last day, but, with Noel Park being my local station, I do have recollections of diesel railcars on occasion, being used, ( I was only 11 when it closed) G5's were also used on the line.

manna

[locojoe]

Hi Manna are you sure you mean G5s on the Palace Gates / North Woolwich trains, more than likely you mean F5 gobbler class as I don't think G5s were shedded at Stratford. G5s were used mostly in NE England. Having said that I could be wrong but G5s were not used on these trains as far as I know.

[locojoe]

Branch Line Palace Gates-North Woolwich

In it's day, Palace Gates loco shed had some interesting turns. There were five engines booked off shed each double manned plus two auto engine workings which were triple manned. These auto engines worked the push pull between Palace Gates and Seven Sisters.

Since this was far more power than the Palace Gates branch needed, some turns involved work between Liverpool Street and Enfield Town with the crews being relieved at Seven Sisters.

Some of the turns to North Woolwich put in a return trip to Fenchurch Street before returning to Palace Gates.
North Woolwich, Custom House, Tidal Basin, Canning Town, Abbey Mills LowerJunction, Gas Factory Junction, Burdett Rd, Stepney, Fenchurch St.
Each of the auto engines did about 22 return trips between Palace Gates and Seven Sisters.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

One of the G5's used was 7279, around 1947.

manna

[locojoe]

Thanks for the info Manna, I did work as a fireman on these trains during the 1950s but 1947 is a bit before my time.

[Pyewipe Junction]

The Locoshed Book for summer 1950 shows three G5s, 67269,67279 and 67322, allocated to Stratford.

It also shows some allocated as far north as Kittybrewster and Keith. They certainly got around in those days - a bit like the J72s and J67/69s. Obviously a very adaptable design.

[locojoe]

Thanks for the info Pyewipe. Looks like G5s were used on the Palace Gates trains. Seems as if Manna was right about G5 7279, being used around 1947. Thanks for your interest lads.

So does anyone know what were the locomotives used on the last steam workings on
the North Woolwich-Stratford-Palace Gates line services on 8th September 1962

[strang steel]

I have had a quick look in the Oct 1962 - Jan 1963 Railway Observers and cannot find anything about the service in there, sorry.

[locojoe]

Thanks John
I think my firrst guess is probably right and L1s were used in the final days of steam at North Woolwich.

[strang steel]

I will have a look in my other mags this evening. Maybe there is something in Trains Illustrated (or was it Modern Railways by then?).

Presumably you have seen this?

http://www.connorandbutler.co.uk/northwoolwich.html

[locojoe]

Hi John
I've not read
North Woolwich To Palace Gates by J.E.Connor.
It looks a good read so I will probably buy a copy. Cheers.

[strang steel]

I have looked in the relevant Railway Magazines and Modern Railways, but nothing specific in either of them. There are before and after photos in Modern Railways but the before was taken in July 1962 with an N7 on a North Woolwich - Stratford service and the after is a Brush 2 in October.