Down, afternoon parcels towards the end steam, and at the GN southern end

[MidlandExcursion]

As a newcomer to this group, I have read with much interest many of the older threads, especially of those enginemen still with us who joined BR(E) before the end of steam on the GN. Thank you for the tales!

I wonder if any worked a turn that stayed steam until, I think into the summer of 63 - viz a down , all-stations (?) parcels that stopped at Sandy at around 14.50 or 15.00. In that last year (if I am correct with 1963) it was often an A4, although sometimes an A1 (I remember 60113 doing the turn at least once) and, I suppose sometimes A3 or A2.

Looking back, I wonder it it was a reserve loco, kept for a time in case of diesel failure, and released if not to earn some revenue - as I doubt the train really needed a pacific with a coal-guzzling wide-firebox. I suspect a B1 could have done the job.

As I look into my old 62 combined volume, I see I have a c for 'cabbed' by 60014, 60028, 60046 (that's a surprise - one I don't remember at all) 60113, 60520 and 60523. The latter two are a surprise as well, as from memory, A2s were rather thin on the ground south of Peterborough. I can't be certain, but I would assume I cabbed all of these on this train at Sandy, as I was otherwise never close to a stationary pacific in those days.

Well, if any of you worked it, and remember a 10-11 year old schoolboy at Sandy, there was a good chance it was me - thanks for the opportunity!

[Pyewipe Junction]

60113 was withdrawn in late 1962 I think.

[Hatfield Shed]

Wasn't there a weekday York-Hitchin-York many stations parcels working? Came up overnight, returned down early afternoon. Seen various photos of it, and toward the end of steam the more usual K3 or B1 was frequently replaced by anything from the wide firebox survivors.

[9001 St Paddy]

There is mention made in the book Kings Cross Lineside 1958-1984 by David Percival published by Ian Allan of one of the very last steam hauled workings in the south being a parcels train that came up the main line as far as Hitchin as late as 1965.

Also mentioned in the above book is a number of steam hauled express passenger workings that came up the main line into Kings Cross during 1964 usually due to a failed diesel being on the front and was taken off but not always from memory it was noted that the Up Yorkshire Pullman in April was steam hauled. In 1965 a B1 was seen working a Hatfield to Kings Cross morning peak hour local passenger train up into London due to a failed diesel at Hatfield.


Mickey a onetime 'telegraph lad' at Welwyn Garden City box.