Y8 No.55 withdrawal details

[richard]

Does anyone have a copy of the RCTS book and/or Yeadons and can look up Y8 No. 8091 (Departmental No. 55) - specially the withdrawal date?
My copies are packed away ahead of a house move.

My Y8 page ( http://www.lner.info/locos/Y/y8.shtml ) was one of the first pages that I wrote, and could do with more information. I have No. 55 as being withdrawn in June 1954. Barrie Pawson has been in touch, and has sent quite a bit of information from his apprentice days at 50A (York) covering the final repairs and withdrawal of No. 55. No. 55 was in use to 1956. She was prepared for final withdrawal on 19/3/56, but was seen on light duties on 15/5/56. A replacement diesel arrived on 19/10/56 (? an 04) and she was finally transferred to Darlington on a weltrol on 19/11/56.

The repairs sound very unofficial and I doubt they would have made it into Yeadons.

[52D]

RCTS has the following, withdrawn 6/54 then transferred to NE region Departmental stock final withdrawl 11/56.

[richard]

Thanks 52D. So assuming the RCTS and Yeadons have the same information, I was probably overly-brief with my text.

I'll modify the page later today.

[earlswood nob]

Good morning all

Yeadon has; Departmental Stock 20/6/54, condemned 22/11/56 cut up at Darlington.

Earlswood nob

[richard]

Thanks.

I've added Barrie's diary-backed comments to the page, but just waiting on confirmation that he is happy with my transcription.

[richard]

Barrie's comments are now on the Y8 page: http://www.lner.info/locos/Y/y8.shtml

This includes the use of concrete (purloined from an inspection pit that was being built for the breakdown crane) to fix the steam chest!

[69999]

Y8 8091- BR Departmental No 55

Supplementing the fascinating account by Barrie Pawson relating to his
experiences of this engine from 1955, the RCTS monthly journal Railway Observer
recounted the tribulations of 8091 from 1951 until its demise in 1956:-

June 1951 – page 139
YORK – On 8/5/51 Y8 8091 was noted completely dismantled in the North shed.
Apparently this engine is due for 'shopping' this month as the boiler must come out
of the frames at least every five years and it is exactly that time since it was last
'shopped'.
However Darlington Works have threatened to scrap it if they get hold of it and as
York value it so much they have decided to overhaul it themselves.
York wish to retain this diminutive engine as it is used solely as the shed pilot there
and with all except the largest classes of engines it is possible to get the Y7 (sic)
and another engine on the turntable together, thus saving time and effort when
handling 'dead' engines.

February 1952 – page53
YORK – The Y8 8091 which had been stripped to the frames and overhauled
(see p139 June RO) was complete on 20/1/52 and will doubtless soon be in active
service again. The side tanks have not been repainted so it will probably retain its old
style shaded numerals and letters which are still in good condition although received
in 1946.

November 1952 – page 317
The Y8 8091 has retained its old style shaded numerals and letters - see RO Feb 1952
p53 and recently the yellow parts have been touched up with cream paint giving a
truly pre-nationalisation effect.

November 1956 - page 325
DEPARTMENTAL LOCOMOTIVE – Class Y8 Dep No 55 of York is likely to be
broken up in the near future. Earlier this year it cracked a cylinder but was patched up
at the shed. However, in September more cracks appeared and a new casting was
required. As none was available the engine has been withdrawn from service and final
disposal instructions are awaited. It is the last of the small N E 0-4-0 T's in service on
British Railways.

December 1956 – page 358
YORK – The fate of Departmental No 55 (the late Y8) was finally sealed when
L&Y 0-4-0ST 51235 arrived on 7th November from Hickleton hauled by J27 65845.
51235 carries a 17A shed plate and was on York shed pilot duties on the following day.

DG
69999