The Thompson L1 2-6-4T Tank Locomotives.

[woberty]

Following Hornbys future release. And after reading comments on the RMWeb forum.

I understand that some of these locos were based at Darlington. Therefore it is logical to presume they sometimes worked the coastal routes into Whitby.
Id greatly appreciate some details as to how these locos were used operationally in and around the North East.

Regards.

Woberty.

[50C]

I don't how the locos were worked operationally but in 1950 there were 4 allocated to Darlington and 6 to Middlesboro.By 1959 the same 9 locos were still in the N E but spread across 4 sheds

50C

[redtoon1892]

Darlington.
In 1950 - 67742 - 67750 - 67754 - 67777
In 1959 - 67742 - 67750 - 67755 - 67763 - 67777

M'Boro

In 1950 - 67755 - 67763 - 67765 - 67759 - 67764 - 67766
Closed June 1958 stock transferred to 51L Thornaby
1959 - 67759 - 67764
They seem to disappear from the North East soon after that.

Source - BR steam Motive Power Depots - Paul Bolger. 1984.

[52D]

I dont know why they were not used more in the NE perhaps there was enough V1/V3s to fulfill the L1s type of work.

[woberty]

Thanks for the info on these locos.
It now makes sense looking at their allocation that were used into Whitby.

Last night. Whilst looking through my books i came across a picture of a L1 at Whitby Town Station. Phil Benhams, recent NYMR book p89.

Tank engines seemed ideal with their size and power for the rural/coastal routes in Cleveland/North Yorks.
Though in the latter stages of steam the "B1" s were used on the EVR.

Rob.

[stembok]

The Darlington L1s were used on the various local services, Crook, Saltburn, Richmond etc, radiating from Darlington. After DMUs were introduced in 1957 they remained for excursion, parcels and additional passenger work until around 1961 when they moved to the West Riding, -where they were apparently not conspicuously successful - being replaced at 51A by ex LMS tank designs .The 51A L1s seemed to be used interchangeably with A5s and A8s on the Saltburn services pre- August 1957.The Middlesbrough based L1s certainly worked to Whitby regularly over both the coast route -closed 1958 - and the Esk Valley line.

[redtoon1892]

Prob right about the V classes 52D, they were used on the empty stock movements and train heating at Newcastle Central, one used to stand at the ready in a spur at the North end opposite the Fed breweries. I used to think what a boring job it was especially in the Winter sitting there for hours on end waiting for a call.
They were also utilised to take "The Norseman" down to the Tyne Commission quay after the Pacific had been unhitched at the Central, the stock could then be deposited at Heaton on the way back.
Was there any electric lighting on the V class footplates ?

[woberty]

You guys certainly know your stuff loco, wise.
Now i can fully justify the purchase of these L1s.

Thanks again.

Rob.

[hq1hitchin]

We've talked about L1s on here before. They were handsome looking engines but had a nasty habit of shaking themselves to bits at speed and shedding their motion, although that didn't stop a set of Hitchin men taking one through to Brighton once on an excursion!

[52D]

hq enlighten us on the excursion please.

[hq1hitchin]

hq enlighten us on the excursion please.

Sorry but the trail is cold for me as it was discovered by the late Bryan Wilson, ex BR Area Manager, Merseyside (aka the Memory Man of BR) and details published not so long ago in an issue of British Rlys Illustrated. If Bryan found it, you may depend it happened. No doubt it would have been a local excursion originating in the Hitchin area and gone via Canonbury and the North London Line with SR conductor driver(s) as I'm pretty certain a L1 could not have got south of the river via Farringdon and the Widened Lines.

[Greedy Boards]

Hi All

For your information, Railway Memories No 18: Cleveland & Whitby, Stephen Chapman (2007), Bellcode Books (Todmorden), mentions the final day of steam on the old Whitby, Redcar & Middlesbrough Union Railway (WR&MU), on 3rd May 1958:

"L1 2-6-4T 67754 works the last north-bound Scarborough-Loftus-Middlesbrough train and Standard 2-6-4T 80116 the last south-bound train."

In addition, On North Eastern Lines, Derek Huntriss (1998), Ian Allan Shepperton), has two photographs, one of 80116 under blue skies at Brotton on the final day; and 67754 at Guisborough on the same day.

Needless to say that a Hornby L1 will now be added to my Bachmann Standard 4MT(T), but an A5 and some local native Q6 and J26/J27 mineral goods would also be appreciated for the iron ore and steel traffic from the local mines and works at Skinningrove and on Teesside - Here's hoping!


Best wishes to all and a Happy New Year

[Bullhead]

Page 29 of the Bradford Barton "North Eastern Steam in Northumbria" album shows Darlington's 67750 leaving Chester-le-Street sometime in 1957 with a Saturday afternoon Richmond to Newcastle service. The caption notes that the locomotive is carrying express passenger headlamps, as the train in question ran non-stop over the Richmond branch and then made all stops along the main line.

[Yorkshire Exile]

During the period 1955 to 1957 the following L1 locos were allocated to Hull Botanic Gardens:
67755, 67759, 67764/5/6; these were later joined by 67754. They were used primarily on the coast lines.
I believe towards the end of 1957 they all went back to the North East in exchange for Gresley V1's and V3's.

[Greedy Boards]

There seems to have been about ten L1s allocated to Darlington and Middlesbrough sheds in about 1950, but when you look at Yeadon's Register, they seem to have been rotated between these two, together with Hull Botanic Gardens and Bridlington sheds as well. The duration of operations from these sheds varies, but certainly 67754 operated in the Teesside area for most of its life, whilst the others moved back and forth throughout the 1950s:

67754:

Hull Botanic, Dec 1948; Darlington, Dec 1948; Hull Botanic, Jun 1954; Middlesbrough, May 1956; Thornaby, Jun 1958; Stockton, Jul 1958; Thornaby, Jun 1959; Low Moor Nov 1961.