Peppercorn A1 Pacifics in the 50's & 60's Pt 1

[52A]

Or Heaton (Dublin Junction).

[Meg Merrilies]

And before anyone else gets in, it (North Eastern) has to be a Gateshead loco because of the external condition.

52D ~ was that the norm for Gateshead locos? (i.e. "umkempt" condition !!! )

My far-off memory seems to recall that, for the most part, Haymarket's pacifics were regularly turned out for duty in a fairly presentable condition. Anyone else's memory confirm this?

[52D]

Haymarkets locos normally shone like a new pin especially when the men were allocated a particular engine, Spearmint stood out, in contrast the only shiny things to be found on Tyneside were the J72s in the green livery for pilot duties. It was a shame when the 03s consigned them to History.
Apart from recent times and bulling up for rail tours the only really clean engine i can recall was when we visited an Aunt in Bletchley and there was 46245 in all her glory in Bletchley station i knew of her due to the Hornby Dublo model and was almost swept from the paths of rightgousness but soon saw the light. A4s and the like were always clean but work stained i guess i never did see an engine fresh out of one of the LNER works.
Real engines are grimy Tyne dock 9Fs, any Q6s, J27s, B1s, K1s and all except for one WD in these forums were usually coated with a liberal coating of rust , grime and lime scale.

[stembok]

Haymarket locos were generally very well presented, part of which may have had to do with their system of double manning with regular drivers and locos in the top two links in the 1950s. Occasionally one would see grimy Haymarket locos, particularly in summer when cleaners might be out firing. Gateshead engines built up a reputation for being generally grimy in the middle 50s onwards though in photographs they are often fairly tidy up intil the early 1950s .Even on their top turn, the up evening Talisman from Newcastle to King's Cross 1956 onwards, the engine would often be filthy .I suppose it was down to a lack of cleaners .In Gateshead's last years 1962-64 a group of keen cleaners would often take the chance to clean a Pacific well. I remember A3 60092 getting the treatment in late 1963.

[Meg Merrilies]

Thanks for that confirmation, guys.

(So, there's still something left in the old memory yet!)

[52D]

The mystery cleaners were the legendary MNA (Master neverers association) who included quite a few well known photographers of the day and i wouldnt be suprised if a few members are hiding in this forum somewhere. One of thier exploits involved fitting a LM shedplate to a 52D K1.

[rob237]

Experienced Grantham gricers could confirm a Gateshead A4 from the grime, immediately the regular cry of "Streak!" heralded an approaching train...
Cheers
Robt P.

[stembok]

The MNA and their unofficial cleaning of locos came later, towards the end of steam .The Gateshead engines 1962-64 were cleaned by BR cleaners who were not actually supposed to clean them, but did so when the opportunity arose.Gateshead officially closed to steam March 20th, 1965 as far as working and servicing of steam was involved with no coaling facilities available. Engines working in had to be moved on pretty sharply.I remember a V2 arriving from York after this date and being sent straight back light engine. It ran out of coal at Ferryhill and a Darlington engine had to be sent out to drag it in. Repairs were still carried out on freight locos from other depots in the north east in the old works at Gateshead for a while after the closure

[52A]

Maybe?

[stembok]

52A: Great memories! Remember 60127 very well on the ash heaps in 1965. When the shed closed to steam she went along with the other 52A A1s to Tyne Dock for storage .In June 1965 a Departmental J72 was sent from North Blyth to Gateshead to supply steam for bogie cleaning on diesels. This wasn't altogether successful so 60127 was sent from store at Tyne Dock to take over the work. She can't have lasted long as she was condemned on the 14th of June and went to Hughes Bolckow the following month.

[52A]

Here she is at Tyne Dock.

[stembok]

60127 featured in one of Harry Friend's tales .Both injectors refused to pick up going north at Aycliffe. The driver stopped and got the signalman at Preston le Skerne to put them into the down loop.They then dropped the fire and reversed the train back so as to be able to put the fire out on the track. According to Harry they were eventually rescued by a K1.

[StevieG]

Hi All

First part of a large collection of Peppercorn A1 pacific photos form the late 1950's & early 1960's ...
... 60120 Kittiwake
http://www.steamlocomotives.photos.gb.n ... 32667.html ...
Neil

Neil,
Just noticed this one's caption has no location.
It's on the Up Fast, seen from the N. end of Brookmans Park down platform.

[StevieG]

" .... 60128 Bongrace Kings Cross?
http://www.steamlocomotives.photos.gb.n ... 32672.html ... "

Can't recall if this one was already confirmed, but it is King's Cross; possibly on Plat.5 (though that is difficult to determine).
The tallest narrow building in the background, is The Lincoln Arms, on York Way; - much favoured by the local signalmen of the 1970s & 80s.

[StevieG]

" Third part of my collection of Peppercorn A1 pacific loco photos from the late 1950's & early 1960's. " ...
... "60146 Peregrine
http://www.steamlocomotives.photos.gb.n ... 32665.html " ...

Up Fast, not far south of Hawkshead bridge, heading towards Potters Bar.

... " 60149 Amadis
http://www.steamlocomotives.photos.gb.n ... 32693.html " ...
"...Neil

Amadis = Up Fast, just south of Potters Bar station.


Also, a few posts earlier, one that I thought I'd commented on but now can't find it, so I presume I only got as far as meaning to post :

... " 60136 Alcazar (unknown)
http://www.steamlocomotives.photos.gb.n ... 32670.html " ...

Definitely a tricky one, not much to go on, but I just wonder if, from what's visible beyond the buffer beam, this could be about to pass through Sandy station on the Down Main.
Anyone else care to confirm or comment?