LMS Route: Rugby to Wolverhampton
Canley Halt: lnwrchg542
Permanent way operations has resulted in both ex-LMS 0-6-0
4F No 44439 and ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F No 48752 coupled to a Fowler tender, operating
on the 'wrong' lines to their direction of travel. It was common practice for
ballast trains to be fitted with a guards van at both ends of the ballast
trucks allowing the train to be shunted in either direction with the minimum of
fuss. In some instances these brake vans would be fitted with small "ploughs"
to level off the ballast to prevent derailment of the stock. The brake van
behind the 8F appears to be so equipped.
Number 44439 was built at Crewe works in December 1927 and
remained in service until April 1964 when it was withdrawn from service from
Sutton Oak shed to be scrapped by TW Ward of Killmarsh in December 1964. Number
48752 was built by the LNER at Darlington works in October 1946 and given the
LNER classification 'O7' and remained in service after being transferred back
to the London Midland Division of British Railways until the very last month of
steam operations on British Railways being withdrawn in August 1968 from Rose
Grove shed to be scrapped in February 1969 by TW Ward Ltd at Beighton near
Sheffield.
 back
|
