Prototype Tim Mills' Photos

[Martin Shaw]

I've done a bit of looking up, I think both #123 and #124 are at Brent.

In #123 Tim was looking in the down direction, the signals to the right of the 9F are on the down fast and slow controlled by Brent Junc No 1 and the signalbox in the left background is Brent Junc No 2 which only controlled the goods lines.

#124 was taken further north but looking in the up direction, the four subsidiary arm signals on the bracket are controlled by Brent Junc No 2 which is behind the photographer. I'm not certain about the signalbox behind the signal, it's not Brent No 1 which I'm reasonably sure was on the other side of the running lines.

 

[oldravendale]

Hello Roger @Roger Pound and thank you for your comments about the signalling in the Crosti picture - also another stirred memory! I'd not noticed the flag in the four foot, Graham @Dog Star but I'm pretty sure that Tim @timbowales has it right.

Thanks for the clarification of the Crosti picture description, Martin @Martin Shaw. Also for your comments about the location of the two "Cricklewood" pictures. I suspect that the Crosti photo is taken from the entry to the shed yard although the unidentified Black 5 is probably alongside the shed. It's many years since I was last at Cricklewood but I'd be hard pushed to know where Cricklewood ends and Brent begins - certainly they are adjacent - so a description of Cricklewood would make some sense.

Then more wagonry details for which I thank Paul @hrmspaul and John @John Palmer.

A3 60059 Tracery on an up Hull and Doncaster train at Harringay West on 25th August 1962. This loco has previously been seen in posts #2554, #2671 and #4592. 60059 had been a GC engine and allocated to Leicester from March 1951. It moved to Kings Cross in April 1957 and left Doncaster Works in September 1961 with smoke deflectors and was withdrawn in December 1962. (SLS). It was scrapped in the same month at Doncaster Works. (BR Database).



Still at Harringay West on 25th August 1962 and 60014 Silver Link, previously in post #1566, passes on an up Leeds express. In 1960 it was a Kings Cross engine being withdrawn from there in December 1962. (SLS). It was scrapped at Doncaster in January 1963. (BR Database).



V2 60903, previously in post #2671, on the 4.45 to Peterborough at Harringay West on 25th August 1962. It had been a Kings Cross engine since 1943 (BR Database) and was transferred to New England on 2nd February 1963 and was withdrawn eight days later. (SLS). It was scrapped in May at Doncaster Works. (BR Database).



A new loco to these pages is A2 60522 Straight Deal on the 4.35 to Newcastle at Harringay West on 25th August 1962. This had been a York engine from June 1948 and moved to Aberdeen Ferryhill in December 1962 or January 1963, then Polmadie in October the same year where it was withdrawn in June 1965. (SLS). It was sold for scrap to Motherwell Machinery & Scrap, Wishaw, in July 1965. (BR Database).



Arrivals at Kings Cross. A3 60073 St Gatien at Kings Cross on 25th August 1962. We've seen this loco some time previously at Newcastle and in post #2023. It had been a long time resident of Heaton where it had been allocated in May 1946 (BR Database) but moved to Gateshead in July 1963 from where it was withdrawn in August. (SLS). It was scrapped at Darlington Works at the end of the same month. (Rail UK). It had received trough deflectors when it left Doncaster Works after a heavy intermediate in May 1961. (SLS). 60033, last in post #1559, spent some time at Grantham (I have nothing about allocations before 1948) but in March of that year moved to Kings Cross where it stayed until withdrawal in December 1962. (BR Database & SLS). It was scrapped by the end of January 1963 at Doncaster Works. (BR Database).



Brian

 

[Martin Shaw]

60073 St Gatien Gateshead 3/10/24, York 28/3/43, Rebuild to A3 class Doncaster 15/9/45, York 10/11/45, Heaton 6/5/46, Gateshead 16/6/63,
Wdn 19/8/63, Cut up Doncaster Works 22/5/63.

60033 Seagull Kings X 28/6/38, Grantham 23/4/44, Kings X 21/3/48, Wdn 29/12/62, Cut up Doncaster Works 23/1/63.

Re Cricklewood, it's also a long time since I was there, West Hampstead power box which is I think now closed. I would agree it's difficult to determine an absolute boundary and I think either description would be perfectly reasonable. We always identified geographically north of Dudding Hill Junction as Brent and south thereof as Cricklewood but I suppose being the S&T signalbox names were the relevant bit.

Martin

 

[Arun Sharma]

Along with 60512, 60522 was one of two Thompson A2/3 to end up at Polmadie with the yellow cab stripe. Polmadie also had a couple of Peppercorn A2s that also had yellow cab stripes - viz., 60535 and 60527. I'm not aware that any of the four locos ever went as far South as Crewe whilst at Polmadie though I have an idea 60535 might have been on an enthusiasts special somewhere under the wires south of Carlisle wearing its cab stripe.

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Re Cricklewood, it's also a long time since I was there, West Hampstead power box which is I think now closed. I would agree it's difficult to determine an absolute boundary and I think either description would be perfectly reasonable. We always identified geographically north of Dudding Hill Junction as Brent and south thereof as Cricklewood but I suppose being the S&T signalbox names were the relevant bit.

West Hampstead Power Signal Box (WHPSB) is still open and was updated with new equipment in June 2024.

As far as I can make out WHPSB controls lines from St Pancras (High Level) to Bedford and the Thameslink Core from Kentish Town/Dock Junction North to Farringdon. Farringdon is the boundary with the Victoria Signalling Centre (located at Clapham Junction) and controls the Thameslink Core from Farringdon to Elephant & Castle and London Bridge, and South London.

 

[timbowales]

West Hampstead Power Signal Box (WHPSB) is still open and was updated with new equipment in June 2024.

As far as I can make out WHPSB controls lines from St Pancras (High Level) to Bedford and the Thameslink Core from Kentish Town/Dock Junction North to Farringdon. Farringdon is the boundary with the Victoria Signalling Centre (located at Clapham Junction) and controls the Thameslink Core from Farringdon to Elephant & Castle and London Bridge, and South London.

Err not quite right, afaik Thameslink core is controlled from Three Bridges ROC

 

[oldravendale]

Thank you for the additional info on the locos, Martin @Martin Shaw and also the additional thoughts on Cricklewood/Brent. Also Dave @Yorkshire Dave and Tim @timbowales .

Thanks too, Arun, for the additional on the A2s - duly added to the file.

A series of photos here featuring the Bourne End Branch on 14th April 1962. There’s an interesting entry against the branch details by the SLS on 7th March 1961 which advises that Marlow MPD (a sub-shed of Slough) was scheduled for closing from the beginning of 1961 but was still regularly being used by the branch engine except for Sunday nights. At the beginning of March 1961 the coaling platform was rebuilt. The engine returns to Slough on Sunday nights but back to the branch on Monday mornings except when changed over. Both 1421 and 1453 have been seen.

The loco in this series is 14XX 0-4-2T 1421 and the Autocoach W250W. These photos should be linked with post #2597 and to make up the complete sequence the earlier photos are repeated here. Not only that but the original descriptions were not in accordance with Tim’s notes so are revised. The difficulty is determining t’other from which. 1421 home shed at the time was Reading, thence to Exeter in November, then Gloucester Barnwood a year later before withdrawal in December 1963. (SLS). It was scrapped at Birds, Risca, Newport, by the end of May 1964. (Rail UK).

img 152/153 The first pair of photos are of 1421 and W250W on the 1.28 train from Bourne End to Marlow. Note that the loco head lamp does not appear to have been changed and the destination board on the coach reads “Maidenhead”.





img131 This picture is of Marlow Station. The presence of the engine shed rather confirms it. The loco can just be seen in the platform.



img 132-135 1421 in the platform at Marlow and preparing to leave with the 1.54 train to Bourne End. In the shot of the rear of the train the “Maidenhead” board remains on the autocoach.









Img2272-2276 The final five photos are described as the 1.54 to Bourne End in open countryside.













Brian

 

[ovener]

I was just looking at the Harringay West photos and contemplating the rather fine signal gantry. Assuming the lights weren't electric by then, it would have been quite a task to climb up the ladders and replace the oil lamps every few days, even in the freezing cold wind and rain. A good head for heights would be needed, to say nothing of not being startled if a signal arm moved when you were next to it!

 

[timbowales]

Thank you for the additional info on the locos, Martin @Martin Shaw and also the additional thoughts on Cricklewood/Brent. Also Dave @Yorkshire Dave and Tim @timbowales .

Thanks too, Arun, for the additional on the A2s - duly added to the file.

A series of photos here featuring the Bourne End Branch on 14th April 1962. There’s an interesting entry against the branch details by the SLS on 7th March 1961 which advises that Marlow MPD (a sub-shed of Slough) was scheduled for closing from the beginning of 1961 but was still regularly being used by the branch engine except for Sunday nights. At the beginning of March 1961 the coaling platform was rebuilt. The engine returns to Slough on Sunday nights but back to the branch on Monday mornings except when changed over. Both 1421 and 1453 have been seen.

The loco in this series is 14XX 0-4-2T 1421 and the Autocoach W250W. These photos should be linked with post #2597 and to make up the complete sequence the earlier photos are repeated here. Not only that but the original descriptions were not in accordance with Tim’s notes so are revised. The difficulty is determining t’other from which. 1421 home shed at the time was Reading, thence to Exeter in November, then Gloucester Barnwood a year later before withdrawal in December 1963. (SLS). It was scrapped at Birds, Risca, Newport, by the end of May 1964. (Rail UK).

img 152/153 The first pair of photos are of 1421 and W250W on the 1.28 train from Bourne End to Marlow. Note that the loco head lamp does not appear to have been changed and the destination board on the coach reads “Maidenhead”.

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img131 This picture is of Marlow Station. The presence of the engine shed rather confirms it. The loco can just be seen in the platform.

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img 132-135 1421 in the platform at Marlow and preparing to leave with the 1.54 train to Bourne End. In the shot of the rear of the train the “Maidenhead” board remains on the autocoach.

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Img2272-2276 The final five photos are described as the 1.54 to Bourne End in open countryside.

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Brian

Brian, an absolutely wonderful set of photos. Thanks for posting them and preserving them.

 

[SimonT]

Brian,
the autocaoch is an D117 brake third conversion from 1955, the A44. The D117 and C66 sets were used on the Western Valleys for the local trains, particularly to Ebbw Vale. I'm working on a kit as I need a D117 and C66 for the train set. The D117 were gone by 1962, not sure about the A44s.

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

A series of photos here featuring the Bourne End Branch on 14th April 1962. There’s an interesting entry against the branch details by the SLS on 7th March 1961 which advises that Marlow MPD (a sub-shed of Slough) was scheduled for closing from the beginning of 1961 but was still regularly being used by the branch engine except for Sunday nights. At the beginning of March 1961 the coaling platform was rebuilt. The engine returns to Slough on Sunday nights but back to the branch on Monday mornings except when changed over. Both 1421 and 1453 have been seen.

The Bourne End to High Wycombe section closed to freight in 1966 and to passengers in 1970.

 

[oldravendale]

Yes - a display indeed @ovener . Tim took a series of photos of the lamp man on signals at Syston Junction. See Prototype - Tim Mills' Photos and these rather confirm your comments about the nature of the job.

Tim @timbowales , Simon @SimonT and Dave @Yorkshire Dave - many thanks to you all for additional info about the Bourne end Branch photos.

B16/3 4-6-0 61434 at York Station on 4th June 1959 on a York to Leeds local train. The loco was a long time resident of York Shed having been allocated there in 1937. (BR Database). It was withdrawn on 29th June 1964 (SLS) and was scrapped at Hughes Bolckows, North Blyth in September the same year. (BR Database).



D49/2 4-4-0 62762 The Fernie carrying a 50D shed plate at York Station on 4th January 1959 on a York to Bristol train. 50D was the Starbeck Shed identification until 13th September 1959 when it shut. However, according to the SLS this loco was allocated to Scarborough in June 1958 so either the shed plate had not been changed (entirely possible) or the photograph is earlier than the attributed date. It was withdrawn on 13th October 1960 (SLS) and was seen on 23rd October at Darlington Works (SLS) where it was scrapped during the following November. (BR Database).



Two photos here of A1 60116 Hal O’ the Wind at York Station on a York to Leeds train on 4th January 1959. The loco was allocated new to Heaton in October 1948, Tweedmouth in October 1962 and Gateshead in November 1964 where it was withdrawn in June 1965. (SLS). It was sold for scrap to Hughes Bolckow, Blyth in July 1965. (BR Database).





There’s not much information about this photo. I thought it was 54465 but that was a 4-4-0 so clearly not. Neither do I know the class or location, although the date is given as 14th September 1961.



I suggest that this is a shot from the passing train and again I don’t know the class or location and the date is not confirmed either but I suggest it stands alongside the photo above so would be 14th September 1961.



Brian

 

[40057]

Yes - a display indeed @ovener . Tim took a series of photos of the lamp man on signals at Syston Junction. See Prototype - Tim Mills' Photos and these rather confirm your comments about the nature of the job.

Tim @timbowales , Simon @SimonT and Dave @Yorkshire Dave - many thanks to you all for additional info about the Bourne end Branch photos.

B16/3 4-6-0 61434 at York Station on 4th June 1959 on a York to Leeds local train. The loco was a long time resident of York Shed having been allocated there in 1937. (BR Database). It was withdrawn on 29th June 1964 (SLS) and was scrapped at Hughes Bolckows, North Blyth in September the same year. (BR Database).

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D49/2 4-4-0 62762 The Fernie carrying a 50D shed plate at York Station on 4th January 1959 on a York to Bristol train. 50D was the Starbeck Shed identification until 13th September 1959 when it shut. However, according to the SLS this loco was allocated to Scarborough in June 1958 so either the shed plate had not been changed (entirely possible) or the photograph is earlier than the attributed date. It was withdrawn on 13th October 1960 (SLS) and was seen on 23rd October at Darlington Works (SLS) where it was scrapped during the following November. (BR Database).

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Two photos here of A1 60116 Hal O’ the Wind at York Station on a York to Leeds train on 4th January 1959. The loco was allocated new to Heaton in October 1948, Tweedmouth in October 1962 and Gateshead in November 1964 where it was withdrawn in June 1965. (SLS). It was sold for scrap to Hughes Bolckow, Blyth in July 1965. (BR Database).

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There’s not much information about this photo. I thought it was 54465 but that was a 4-4-0 so clearly not. Neither do I know the class or location, although the date is given as 14th September 1961.

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I suggest that this is a shot from the passing train and again I don’t know the class or location and the date is not confirmed either but I suggest it stands alongside the photo above so would be 14th September 1961.

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Brian

Your second to last photograph is indeed a 4-4-0.

Ex-Caledonian Railway, as is the 0-6-0 in the following photo.

In the first photo, posts for over-head electrification are being installed. So somewhere in Greater Glasgow.

 

[AJC]

Your second to last photograph is indeed a 4-4-0.

Ex-Caledonian Railway, as is the 0-6-0 in the following photo.

In the first photo, posts for over-head electrification are being installed. So somewhere in Greater Glasgow.

I suspect the 4-4-0 is employed in that same electrification work - the Grampus (the wagon nearest the loco) would hint at this on its own, but the string of medfits with it lean to that direction, too: this type gravitated towards the engineers, nationwide, in the early '60s.

Adam

 

[oldravendale]

I've just inherited five enormous boxes of 4mm train stuff - mainly German but some UK and USA. However, that's rather beside the point... In reorganising the workshop to accommodate these, even if only temporarily, I came across another two plastic storage crates of Tim's slides which I thought I'd already scanned but haven't. Calculating the contents by approximating the number of slide boxes on the top layers and then the number of layers I come to a conservative figure of 3,500 individual slides. So that's another winter's work sorted out for me! Before anyone gets too excited the majority of these slides will be of special trains and preservation post 1968 (especially the GCR) but from a quick review of three boxes there will be some surprises... And we've yet to finish seeing all the black and white images yet.

Brian

 

[simond]

Wow - but in a good way (the smiley looks more shocked than excited!)

 

[Mike Walker]

Marlow shed remained in use until 8 July 1962 after which Diesels took over. 1421 along with 1445 were shedded at at Slough during the first half of 1962 taking turns to work the 'Donkey' each week. 1445 was used on the last week giving way to 1421 for the final day as it had been specially prepared for the event.

 

[Dave F.]

I believe the second last photo is of Newton with Hallside steel works in the background, the loco is on the local line from Blantyre and Hamilton. The photographer is on the West Coast Main Line out of Glasgow. I know the area well as I grew up in Hamilton and used to watch out for shunting 'action' as we passed through Newton, the 'modern' station building is still in use today but Hallside works has gone and housing and a park and ride is in its place.
The electrification took place here for the Blue trains but this was as far as it went with a turnback siding between the two lines, the 303 blue trains ran through Kirkhill and on to the Cathcart cicle line and not up the mainline, this was to come much later.
The last photo could also be Newton but looking to the left standing on the platform end although it could also be the other side further along as there were numeruos sidings for the many industries in the area. The mainline platforms had been removed on rebuilding the station in the late 50s with a new modern signalbox built for the junction which replaced two or three other boxes this box is now just a relay/switchroom having been superceded by the Motherwell control centre.

Love the photos everyday, keep up the good work.
Dave.

 

[oldravendale]

That's very helpful, @40057 . Maybe the loco is 54465 after all! It had been a Motherwell engine since 1948 (BR Database), moving to Polmadie in May/June and back to Motherwell in June/July where it was withdrawn in October - all in 1962. (SLS), so I guess that sort of fits. The Railway Observer advises it went to Motherwell Machinery & Scrap and BR Database that it was disposed of in August 1963. WHTS advise it was last observed on 3rd September 1963. Your suggestion of a broad location for the pictures is helpful too. And then Adam @AJC - thanks for expanding the info about the train.

Two photos here of Clan 72002 Clan Campbell at Carstairs on 14th September 1961. The first one is a stonker which I printed for Tim. The Clan was a Polmadie engine from April 1958, moved to Haymarket in November 1959, back to Polmadie in April 1960 and was withdrawn from there at the end of December 1962. (SLS). It went to Darlington Works where it was scrapped in September 1963. (BR Database). There’s a previous photo of this loco in post #1677.





Another photo well out of sequence is McIntosh 2P 0-4-4T 55189 last in post #88 at Carstairs on 14th September 1961 as it is here. It was allocated to Carstairs in September 1960 and withdrawn at the end of December 1962. (SLS). It is in preservation at the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway - see 55189 (CR 419, LMS 15189 & BR 55189)



Standard Class 5 73007 at Carstairs on 14th September 1961. The loco was new to Perth South in July 1951, moved to Grangemouth in July 1964 and finally Stirling in October 1965 where it was withdrawn in March 1966. (SLS). It was scrapped at Motherwell Machinery & Scrap, Wishaw in June 1966. (BR Database).



Jinty 47435 shunting in the vicinity of its home shed of Cricklewood in December 1962. It was allocated to Cricklewood at least by January 1948 (BR Database), moved to Willesden in January 1965 and then Wolverton Works, presumably as Works shunter, in October the same year. It was withdrawn a year later. (SLS). It was scrapped at Cohen’s, Kettering in June 1967. (BR Database).



An unidentified A3 believed to be at Potters Bar during a cold December 1962.



Brian

 

[Genghis]

Absolutely agree about the clan photo!