GWR Route: The North Warwickshire Line

GWR Route: Stratford on Avon to Hatton

Stratford on Avon Station: gwrsa3280

Ex-GWR 4-6-0 No 6811 'Cranbourne Grange' leaving the confines of Stratford upon Avon on 1st June 1957. The number of the train doesn't appear in 'Ed Chaplin's' list of Western Region Reporting Numbers – Summer 1957 but it is assumed that that the train is most likely from the West Country destined for Wolverhampton Low Level station. Built by Swindon works in November 1936, No 6811 was to remain in service until July 1964 when it was withdrawn from 2B Oxley shed to be scrapped by J Cashmore's of Newport.

In response to my query regarding the train reporting number, my colleague Robert Ferris wrote, 'there is every chance that this is another West Country to Wolverhampton Saturday express (probably with timings after the 676). My understanding was that the principle trains had reporting numbers ending in 0 or 5 and that the first number indicated the originating area (6 = West Country) 675 - 10:35 SO Penzance - Wolverhampton (northbound Cornishman) 676 - 14:11 Exeter - Wolverhampton (Q = run as required ie relief)'. Charles Eric Steele advised that 'at that time the reporting numbers were based on where the train started. 6xx were generally from Plymouth and Cornwall. Ed Chaplin's study does not include a list for the Winter 1956-7 timetable which ran up to 14th June. Easter was late that year so the Whit Monday Bank Holiday was 10th June. I would guess that this train was a relief or special'.

This is a black and white reproduction of a colour slide too degraded to be restored. Colour images saved by Phillip Williams are available in 'TE Williams The Lost Colour Collection Volume 1' ISBN 978-1-911262-04-6 Irwell Press Limited.

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