The LNER Encyclopedia

It was either late July/early August 1959 or 1960, when we were heading off on holiday to West Wales on the Cambrian Coast Express. I remember seeing a very clean B1 standing at Shrewsbury. Is this the furthest west in England that ER locos ever ventured?
We can leave aside the 48 Exchanges and the the later roamings of Flying Scotsman. In the latter days of steam
I think it was Kingfisher that hauled a couple of excursions down south, but how far west? And there was some talk of V2s being loaned for working out of Waterloo when the Bulleids had some problem, but did that ever come to fruition?
[I deliberately stipulated 'in England' since a vague recollection of geography suggests that Edinburgh is west of Birmingham].

Indeed, 1965 or 66 Kingfisher had a weekend 'down south'. On the Saturday she worked Waterloo-Weymouth (I seem to recall) and the Sunday she did Waterloo-Exeter. I was on the second trip.

The V2s were used on the LSWR lines from Waterloo, about 1953, covering for Bulleid pacifics which were having major problems (I think it was fatigue leading to failure of the crank axle). B1s were also used, on the Kent lines. I believe Black 5s and Britannias were used on the Southern during this period as well.

I did have a list of the locos involved but I cannot put my hands on it now.

PP B1 & V2s involved with SR have been listed on here before im sure a search will turn them up. Blue Peter also wandered around a bit towards the end of steam.

Hi 52D

Blue Peter was down here, I believe, in 1966 on Railtour Duty, sharing the duty (to Exeter) with 70004 William Shakespear. Blue Peter stalled on Honiton bank and generally misbehaved for most of the day, from what I was told. So much so that Bill Shakespear had to go and 'rescue' the train as Blue Peter had been taken off.

As an aside this was the only time I ever got round Salisbury depot, a virtually impossible place to 'bunk'. The special arrived, hordes of photographers ran the length of the station, down the ramp and along the 'cess' to the shed. The duty 'boss' seemed to accept the inevitable that day!!

The V2s involved helping out the Southern Region were 60893/6,60908/19/7/28 which were transferred to Nine Elms Shed on 14th May 1953 working services between London and Bournemouth. They were returned to the Eastern Region in June and July 1953.

I vividly remember the news of this transfer which was reported in the first Trains Illustrated magazine I bought at the age of 13!

Deleted.

G'Day Gents

I have heard of B1's turning up at Llundudno ( hope that's spelt right) mainly on Summer Saturday holiday trains.

manna

first time post, hello every body -hi, maybe of interest, is Southern Steam Specials 1966/7 by John h. Bird, published by King Fisher Railway Productions (ISBN 0 946184 31 3 . June 1987.

Hi Manna

B1s also reached Bristol and Bath (Green Park) sometimes on summer extras. As far as I know they didn't get to Bournemouth (not that way, anyway!!)

G'Day Gents

That would of been interesting, B1 at Evercreech, the other Thompson loco to roam, was a booked job for Hitchin men..........Brighton, with seaside specials with a L1. any pics, please.

manna