The LNER Encyclopedia

Can anyone please help.

The oblong metal cover plate that sits centrally below the front buffer beam on the LNER pacific’s was I believe some form of cover protection plate for the AWS system.

Does anyone know the approximate dates when this system were fitted to the A3 class locomotives.

I have various photos of Humorist with and without the plate but I cannot put a date to it.

Regards

The AWS system was trialled in 1950, then fitted to the rest of the class between 1953 and '61.

The only exceptions were

60068 Sir Visto
60079 Bayardo
60093 Coronach
60095 Flamingo

sorry I don't have exact dates for each loco.

Andy

The installation of AWS trackwise gradually moved northwards towards Edinburgh and as it did so locomotives were fitted with the pick up apparatus. The ER allocated Pacifics tended to have been fitted somewhat earlier. Some of the Haymarket Pacifics might not have had it it fitted until c1958-60. Indeed some of the Scottish A2s 60525/35/36 were not fitted with AWS, possibly due to an oversight. Such an oversight also happened in the case of A3 60075, which did not have smoke deflector plates fitted.

Many thanks Guys for your help regarding 60097 Humoirist.

Regards

David

stembok wrote:The installation of AWS trackwise gradually moved northwards towards Edinburgh and as it did so locomotives were fitted with the pick up apparatus. The ER allocated Pacifics tended to have been fitted somewhat earlier. Some of the Haymarket Pacifics might not have had it it fitted until c1958-60. Indeed some of the Scottish A2s 60525/35/36 were not fitted with AWS, possibly due to an oversight. Such an oversight also happened in the case of A3 60075, which did not have smoke deflector plates fitted.

Seem to recall reading that the Fast lines between New Barnet and Huntingdon was (one of?) the principal trial site(s) of the BR system ahead of formal adoption for national application.

Leaving Thornton Junction in the 1950s