29/02/1948 |
Crewe Works |
The first two engines of Order E 468, Nos. 4748 and 4749 , were completed on 15/1 and 6/2 respectively. They are the first of ten engines to be fitted with Caprotti valve gear together with roller-bearing axle-boxes. The appearance of these engines differs somewhat from that of the previous Class '5' 4-6-0's, the most outstanding features being a lowered foot-framing, involving the use of splashers over the coupled wheels, and the main steam pipes, which, set well forward, are coupled to the front end of each steam chest. The camshaft is driven from a gearbox mounted on the leading coupled axle, between the frames. This is connected, by means of a universal shaft, to the cross-driving gearbox, which, situated beneath the smokebox saddle, imparts rotary motion direct to the camshaft. A small instruction plate inside the cab advises drivers to work the engine with a fully-open regulator varying the cut-off to suit gradients, etc. No. 4748 underwent trials on 4/2. One more Class '7P' 4-6-2 has had the streamline casing removed, this was No. *6236 during w/e 7/2 (*This now leaves only two (Nos. 6226/43) to be dealt with). No. 6229, which had the, streamline casing removed in 12/47, went into traffic early in January, in standard .L.M.S. livery, but with a blank tender side. Since then, however, all newly-painted locomotives have had 'BRITISH RAILWAYS' painted on the tender side and the prefix 'M' added, above the number on the cab side, and also beside the number on the smokebox door. All numerals and letters are in a new Gill Sans style, unlined. Several locomotives have already been experimentally painted in various colours. Among these were L.M.S. Class '5' 4-6-0's Nos. 4762-4 and 5292 , painted S.R. green, L.N.E.R. green, G.W.R. green, and black respectively. All four engines were lined on the left-hand side only, the lining on each engine being standard with that used by the pre-nationalised company represented. The style of lining applied to No. 5292 is reminiscent of L. & N.W.R. livery; this engine has since returned to Works, and has been lined on the right-hand side also. These four locomotives were noted at Crewe on the evening of 28/1, apparently just off Works, but they have since been seen in regular service. The number of withdrawn locomotives standing, in the Works' yard has been further reduced. Engines recently cut up include Nos. 9206, 25694, 28343 W/E 17/1, and Nos. 9374, 28546/50 , W/E 24/1 |
SLS/194803 |
31/01/1948 |
Crewe Works |
The last two Class '5' 4-6-0's of Order E467 (Nos. 4766 and 4767 ) were completed on 17/12 and 30/12 respectively. The latter engine is fitted with outside Stephenson's valve gear and both engines are equipped with electric lighting. The latest 'Royal Scot' conversion is No. 6162 , which was completed on 19/12. No. 6154 is the next to be dealt with. The next 'Pacific' No. 6257 (No. 5 of Order E464) is rapidly taking shape together with the first Class '5' 4-6-0 under Order E468 (ten engines), No. 4748; this batch are all to be fitted with Caprotti valve gear and roller bearings. The L.M.S. lettering has already started to disappear from both tank and tender sides, but so far, locomotives receiving a general repair are still being repainted in the new standard livery. A recent interesting visitor to the Works was ex L.N.W.R. 4-6-0 No. 8824, which received a service repair. More ex L.N.W.R. locomotives have gone to the scrap-heap; they were cut up as follows: (W/E 20/12) 7944, 25845; (W/E 27/12) 6725, 9380; (W/E 3/1) 9215, 27663; (W/E 10/1) 9115, 28401; (W/E 17/1) 25694. |
SLS/194802 |