LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Lichfield

Four Oaks Station: lnwrfo51

Looking towards Lichfield from the Birmingham end of platform 2 with two 2-6-4T locomotives in evidence during June 1949. The locomotive on the left running bunker first at the head of a Birmingham to Lichfield service is Fairburn 4MT No 42262 whilst on the right, waiting to depart from Four Oaks to New Street, is Stanier 4MT No 42489. Trains hauled by 2-6-4Ts departing from New Street to Four Oaks predominantly travelled bunker first so that they were facing towards New Street for the return trip. This was because of a combination of factors, the lack of time at New Street to travel forward to use a turntable as well as issues of platform and track congestion as well as the absence of turning facilities at Four Oaks.

back