31/08/1952 |
Selby-York |
During the last three Sundays of August the East Coast main line was closed between Selby and York, owing to re-laying work at Escrick, main line trains being diverted via Shaftholm Junction, Askern and Church Fenton. An interesting working on Sunday, 24th August, was the 4.5 p.m. train from Wakefield to York; this arrived at Selby behind 61388 (37A) and left five minutes later for York, via Church Fenton (i.e., in the opposite direction) behind Class 4 2-6-0 43123 (50C). The train was retimed to arrive at York at 5.32 p.m. instead of 5.20 p.m., but due to smart running by 43123 actually arrived at 5.28 p.m. The 8.40 a.m. train from Glasgow to King's Cross on Sundays calls at Selby at 4.30 p.m.; on 24th August, connection from Selby with this train was being maintained by a special shuttle service operated by motor-fitted 'G.5' Class 0-4-4T 67250 (50C) with one of the push-and-pull sets normally used on the Selby-Goole service. It was amusing to watch the incredulous faces of passengers who on asking for 'the London train' were politely directed to 67250's two-coach train in the up bay platform. On the same date (24/8/52) six 'D20' Class 4-4-0s were at Selby shed, i.e., 2395, 62374/81/84/86/92; these D20s at Selby have recently been doing much useful work, mainly between Leeds-Selby-Hull, Selby-York, etc. although the writer of these notes regrets to record a recent Selby-Hull run when 62378 (also of Selby) had difficulty in starting away from Selby and also lost time in running. Although some of the Selby 'D20s' are in good condition (notably 62384/92), D.20/2 No. 62360 (52D) was brought down specially from Alnmouth Junction to work the SLS/MLS special between Cudworth and Hull via the Hull and Barnsley main line on 24th August. D.20s 62343/45 at York are working on Harrogate trains and also on the 5.55 p.m. train from York to Pickering via Gilling and Helmsley. The 6.30 p.m. from York to Harrogate is a Selby duty and Selby D.20s are used on occasions although more often this train is worked by one of the Selby Class 4 L.M.R. pattern 2-6-0s. An unusual visitor to York, on 21st August, was Class 4 2-6-0 43139 (68E) en route to Doncaster Works; in an adjacent shed road at the same time was A3 Class Pacific 60068 Sir Visto (also 68E) returning from Doncaster Works to Carlisle. |
SLS/195211 |
28/02/1954 |
Darlington Works |
North Road Works have completed Class 2 MT 78014/5, and the diesel-electric shunters are now all in traffic, No. 13081 completing the order. Engines for works include 60806/18/37/88, 61010/37/69/84, 61124, 61273, 61418/28, 62381, 62715/20/44, 63437/50/61, 65061, 65676 (to scrap yard), 65743, 65778, 67658/90, 67715/36/9/47/59/89/91, 90089, 90116, 90270/80, 90400/1/31/9, 90554, 90600. |
SLS/195404 |
28/08/1956 |
North Eastern Miscellany |
On 28th August, 62372 an 62381 were noted on Selby shed, 62381 being in steam. On 9th September a Ramblers' Excursion was run from Leeds to Middleton-in-Teesdale. The main line engine was detached at Darlington and the train of eleven coaches was worked up the branch line to Middleton-in-Teesdale and back with 67638 (53B) piloted by 67789 (38E), both engines being ex works and resplendent in new paint. Repainted locomotives ex Gateshead Works noted on Thursday, 13th September, were 62022 an 68363. On the same day, 67639 (52C), subshedded at Hexham, was observed at the western end of Newcastle Central Station, much polished up with smokebox fittings embellished with aluminium paint and with safety valves, whistle and other brass fittings shining brightly. The work of replacing the semaphore type signalling at Newcastle Central Station with a modern colour light installation is now in an advanced state. Colour light signalling is already in operation for north bound traffic and the old semaphore signals have been dismantled. Work is now proceeding on the building of the new signal box in the middle of the station between platform ten and the goods lines. Part of the station roof has been removed and massive girders now span from above platform ten to the outer wall of the station on the south side. At the same time, work is proceeding on the erection of new colour light signals to control south bound traffic and when this installation is ready, the existing large signal gantry spanning the running lines at the west end of the station will be redundant and will be removed. |
SLS/195611 |