NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 75
The Life of Small Prairie 5568 (2)
Michael L. Roach
In Part 68 on 5 February we looked at the life of Laira's small prairie 5568 which was fitted with auto-gear so that the engine could push-and-pull trains to save running around its train at each end of every journey, and it could stay permanently coupled to the coach or coaches for the whole of the working day. The engine was at Laira from 7 October 1961 until withdrawn on 14 January 1963 two weeks after the Plymouth to Tavistock South and Launceston Branch had closed. The engine was sold to Cashmores at Newport nine months later and cut up.
BR built autocoach W230 is propelled into Bickleigh by 5568 on the ECS train from Tavistock South to Plymouth Millbay on 15 September 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The 12.40pm SO Launceston to Plymouth coasts into Yelverton behind 5568 on 24 November 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
ditto leaves. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The 10.15am Launceston to Plymouth on 22 December 1962 behind 5568. The train is passing the rubble of the demolished Cann Cottages just north of Marsh Mills Station and a long way from Cann Viaduct and Cann Quarry. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
5568 rests inside a smokey Laira roundhouse on Boxing Day 1962. 5568 is on the right next to the tender engine. The other tank engines visible are 6430, 5569 and 6400 all used on trains to Tavistock South. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Swindon - 12.03.2024 - Part 2
Ken Mumford
6B33 [Theale Puma to Robeston Sidings] with tis usual locomotive. Real Train Times gives it passing Swindon East Loop 6 EARLY then passing platform 4 12 EARLY - I THINK that it overtook a freight that was in Swindon East Loop - the driver of 66105 certainly had that oil tanker train on the move as he accelerated quite quickly the length of platform 4 - was he told to get a move on? Copyright Ken Mumford.
6B33 [Theale Puma to Robeston Sidings] with tis usual locomotive. Real Train Times gives it passing Swindon East Loop 6 EARLY then passing platform 4 12 EARLY - I THINK that it overtook a freight that was in Swindon East Loop - the driver of 66105 certainly had that oil tanker train on the move as he accelerated quite quickly the length of platform 4 - was he told to get a move on? Copyright Ken Mumford.
60 055 'Thomas Barnado' the regular loco on this train [Appleford Sidings to Tytherington] was in Swindon East Loop from 1448 to 1548 and eventually passed along platform 4 14 LATE. BUT accelerated quite quickly!! Copyright Ken Mumford.
Looking a little care-worn was this westbound IET in platform 4. Copyright Ken Mumford.
D1015 passed along platform 1 some 36 EARLY - was it meant to be held in Swindon East Loop? Copyright Ken Mumford.
D1015 passed along platform 1 some 36 EARLY - was it meant to be held in Swindon East Loop? Copyright Ken Mumford.
14.03.2024 at Kemble
3Q64 Cardiff (Taff Vale Sidings) to Cardiff (Taff Vale Sidings) passing Kemble 7 LATE heading for Swindon where it reversed. Copyright Ken Mumford.
3Q85 returning up the Gloucester branch passing Purton Common Foot Crossing about 5 LATE. Copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks Ken - a great variety!