NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 68
The Life of Small Prairie 5568
Michael L. Roach
In Part 67 we looked at the life of 5572 for the third and last time. Sister engine 5568 was completed just one month earlier in January 1929 and was sent to Stratford-on-Avon, a sub-shed of Tyseley, Birmingham as its first shed. After moving to Kidderminster the same year it moved to Whitland in June 1932 where it spent more than 21 years working trains to Cardigan and Pembroke Dock, Like 5572, 5568 was fitted with auto gear in 1953 and sent to South Wales where it was based at Cathays, Barry and Aberbeeg. When no longer needed for operating auto trains there it was dispatched to Laira five years after arriving in South Wales. The formal date was 5 November 1960. After the closure of the Tavistock and Launceston Branch the engine was withdrawn on 14 January 1963, sold to Cashmore's nine months later and scrapped at their yard in Newport (Mon). 5568 regularly worked passenger trains to Launceston but was also called upon to work auto trains to Tavistock South, just like 5572, but not quite so often. There were two other 5500s that were auto-fitted and moved from South Wales to Laira. 5511 was at Laira from 1.11.1958 until withdrawn 5.12.1961; and 5560 from 8.10.1960 to 7.10.1961. During the time that I was riding on and photographing trains regularly on the Launceston Branch (April 1961 to December 1962) I only saw 5511 working once and 5560 working twice; and of those three sightings only one was on an auto train. It was only 5572 and 5568 that were normally called upon to work auto-trains when the regular 6400-class pannier was unavailable. Of course both engines worked non-auto trains as well; and 5568 was a regular throughout the 20 months I was photographing; with gaps when it was presumably being overhauled or under repair at Laira.
The ECS train from Tavistock to Plymouth is seen leaving the cutting just north of Ham Green Viaduct between Bickleigh and Shaugh Bridge; one auto coach propelled by 5568 on 3 March 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
5568 heads north hauling the 2.10pm Plymouth to Tavistock on 31 March 1962 past the hamlet of Goodameavy with Dartmoor on the horizon. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
5568 returns the same day (31 March 1962) propelling the 4.30pm Tavistock to Plymouth at Yelverton. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Laira's 5568 is standing on the south side of the coaling stage showing the later extension allowing engines to be coaled on both sides. Photo taken on the morning of Saturday 12 May 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks as always, Michael.
Our readers may wish to click here to read the rest of Michaels memoirs.
Our readers may wish to click here to read the rest of Michaels memoirs.
Brush Type 4 in '74
Roger Winnen
It's the 30/03/1974 and 47136 is approaching St. Blazey with the 16.35 Newquay to Wellington Salop. Copyright Roger Winnen
St. Blazey T&RSD at St. Blazey T&RSD
Jon Hird
37670 'St. Blazey T&RS Depot' at St. Blazey T&RS Depot in 2004. Copyright Jon Hird.
09016, 08993 and 37670 at St. Blazey in 2004. 08993 had a cut-down body to fit beneath a low bridge on the Burry Port & Gwendraeth Valley line in South Wales. 09016 is missing part of its coupling rod and brake linkage. Copyright Jon Hird.