The LNER Encyclopedia

In my journeys round Lackenby i have noted that the works shunters still retain there scruffy unkempt look but with a difference, the cab sides are now white with an SSI logo. They still retain BSC numbers and names although most nameplates have had the BSC logo removed.

The locos that you have seen are shortly to be replaced by ex-Norwegian class Di8s (centre cab Bo-Bos). Covering up the old BS logo on the name plates has been ongoing for some time.I was at work this morning laying out the new coupling mountings - the current use of Dellner couplings on the torpedoes is coming to an end, the replacements being AAR type E buckeyes. Some of the GECs were stored out-of-use in the Cleveland torpedo shop and it is possible that a limited number MAY be retained for internal use such as shunting the BOS plant, torpedo shop, and for the P/Way lads - but that is an ongoing, fluid, situation. The rest may well be stripped and sent to the BOS plant for cutting up and melting down. I am not, at this stage, prepared to comment on the new liveries for locos, torpedoes, and wagons or possible loco names. I hope that this is of help and has answered your questions.

Yes i have seen the locos in the Torpedo shop and have noted that things are starting to move a bit faster with the recommissioning work. Certainley there are more loco movements around the works.

52D wrote:Yes i have seen the locos in the Torpedo shop and have noted that things are starting to move a bit faster with the recommissioning work. Certainley there are more loco movements around the works.

i used to like seeing those torpedos going through fencehouses in pairs

Any torpedoes on the national system would be the small 250ton ones going on the short-lived traffic from Cargo Fleet to Consett. The current 320ton ones used in the Redcar blast furnace / Lackenby BOS plant run are foul of gauge (too high and too wide), also their 44 ton axle loading is well above that permitted on the main line

locodraughtsman wrote:Any torpedoes on the national system would be the small 250ton ones going on the short-lived traffic from Cargo Fleet to Consett. The current 320ton ones used in the Redcar blast furnace / Lackenby BOS plant run are foul of gauge (too high and too wide), also their 44 ton axle loading is well above that permitted on the main line

were torpedoes used anywhere else on the BR system ?,and i am surprised NRM has never claimed one of the smaller ones

Ay up!

I never knew they did? This could push up the values of the old Lima model....

There is an interesting section headed 'torpedo wagon tests' on "traintesting.com", with photographs of the test train and other information. The 250t torpedoes were only loaded with 80 tons of iron, and ran three per train. I do not know what happened to the torpedoes - probably cut up years ago - but a very similar (but not identical) one is out-of-use at Lackenby. Its fate is not yet certain, as its bogies have various other possible uses.