NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 25
Laira Shed - Engines around the coaling stage.
Michael L. Roach
Laira Shed - Engines around the coaling stage.
Michael L. Roach
I visited Laira Steam Shed many times in 1962. Here are a few of the photos taken in the Spring of 1962 when there was still a good range of different steam classes arriving down the Western Region main line friom Newton Abbot although the coaling line was often empty. At the time the line from Exeter via Okehampton and Friary Shed both belonged to the Southern Region but that would change at the end of 1962. From 1 January 1963 the line and shed would be administered by the Western Region. Friary shed would be closed a few months later with the remaining locos transferred to Laira Shed.
MLR / 8 June 2023
MLR / 8 June 2023
6979 Small prairie tank 4574 is seen on the coaling line at 5.05pm on Saturday 7 April 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7026 Hall 4982 is standing on the coaling line loop on the evening of Wednesday 25 April 1962. Acton Hall was based at Laira from August 1961 to May 1962 when it was withdrawn. Despite being a Laira engine this was the only occasion I photographed it. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7068 Laira's 5568 is stood on the south side of the coaling stage showing the later corrugated iron sheet extension allowing locos to be coaled on both sides of the coaling stage. Photo taken on the morning of Saturday 12 May 1962.
7070 Laira's 7916 Mobberley Hall on the same line. This was one of the routes used by locos leaving the roundhouse; and some drivers would add an extra tub or two of coal as they passed the coaling stage if there was room in the tender. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7096 7805 Broome Manor of 88A Cardiff Canton Shed on the coaling line on the morning of 26 May 1962. The loco moved to Cardiff East Dock on 21 July 1962 in anticipation of the closure of Canton to steam a few weeks later. Copyright Michael L.Roach.
7137 Laira's 4920 Dumbleton Hall was immaculate when seen on the morning of Saturday 2 June 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7159 Cardiff Canton Shed's 9F number 92232 is seen at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13 June 1962. It may have run light engine to Tavistock Junction later that evening to take out the 9.40pm SX freight to Cardiff. On Saturdays only the train left Tavistock Junction at 8.05pm and for a few months in summer it was possible to photograph the train being banked up Hemerdon Bank by a steam engine. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7167 6028 King George VI is moving towards the coaling stage at 4.45pm on Saturday 23 June 1962 after bringing in 10C from Northampton. The loco had moved from Canton to Old Oak a week earlier on 15 June. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many many thanks Michael - yet another box of 'Gems' - thank heavens you had the wisdom to taken them at the time before the precious moments were last AND also thank heavens you took copious notes.