Final BR steam locomotive movement?

[Splee]

OK, I know that the final steam days of August 1968 are very well
documented, but here is something I was wondering about - we all know
which scheduled trains were the last to be steam hauled, but what was
the very last standard-gauge, under its own power, BR steam locomotive
movement to be made? I'm assuming the very last movement must have been
an empty stock, light engine or shunt move. Does anyone know when,
where, what etc?

Also, did any engines go to their scrapping location under their own power?

Lee

http://splee.livejournal.com

[tractor37142]

70013 Oliver Cromwell worked Carlisle to east Anglia (Norwich?) for
preservation at bressingham Gardens after working the August 15th special.

[Furness Vale]

Subject: Final BR steam locomotive movement?
Date: 14/12/2004 21:28 GMT Standard Time
OK, I know that the final steam days of August 1968 are very well
documented, but here is something I was wondering about - we all know
which scheduled trains were the last to be steam hauled, but what was
the very last standard-gauge, under its own power, BR steam locomotive
movement to be made? I'm assuming the very last movement must have been
an empty stock, light engine or shunt move. Does anyone know when,
where, what etc?
Also, did any engines go to their scrapping location under their own power?
Lee

I seem to remember an 8F fitted with a steam lance being turned out on the WCML
from Preston northwards clearing points long after the official end.

[Splee]

Post by Furness Vale
I seem to remember an 8F fitted with a steam lance being turned out on the WCML
from Preston northwards clearing points long after the official end.

Gosh - presumably this was a depot taking matters into their own hands
using a withdrawn loco hastily pressed into service. I wonder how common
this was? Photographic evidence would be good!

[Mick Sturbs]

Post by Furness Vale

Subject: Final BR steam locomotive movement?
Date: 14/12/2004 21:28 GMT Standard Time
OK, I know that the final steam days of August 1968 are very well
documented, but here is something I was wondering about - we all know
which scheduled trains were the last to be steam hauled, but what was
the very last standard-gauge, under its own power, BR steam locomotive
movement to be made? I'm assuming the very last movement must have been
an empty stock, light engine or shunt move. Does anyone know when,
where, what etc?
Also, did any engines go to their scrapping location under their own power?
Lee

I seem to remember an 8F fitted with a steam lance being turned out on the WCML
from Preston northwards clearing points long after the official end.

If I'm thinking of the same thing, this was a preserved loco borrowed
for the job and was sometime in the late eighties - early nineties. It
was clearing large amounts of salt(?) following a derailment I think.

Mick

[Furness Vale]

Subject: Re: Final BR steam locomotive movement?
Date: 15/12/2004 06:48 GMT Standard Time

<SNIP>

Post by Furness Vale
I seem to remember an 8F fitted with a steam lance being turned out on the

WCML

Post by Furness Vale
from Preston northwards clearing points long after the official end.

If I'm thinking of the same thing, this was a preserved loco borrowed
for the job and was sometime in the late eighties - early nineties. It
was clearing large amounts of salt(?) following a derailment I think.
Mick

You may well be right. Now you have jogged my memory, it was salt spillage
from a faulty hopper door that was destroying track circuits all the way up the
WCML as it went. I certainly saw a photo at the time either in Railnews or
possibly the local rag "Lancashire Evening Post".

[kevin smith]

Post by Furness Vale

Subject: Re: Final BR steam locomotive movement?
Date: 15/12/2004 06:48 GMT Standard Time

<SNIP>

Post by Furness Vale
I seem to remember an 8F fitted with a steam lance being turned out on the

WCML

Post by Furness Vale
from Preston northwards clearing points long after the official end.

If I'm thinking of the same thing, this was a preserved loco borrowed
for the job and was sometime in the late eighties - early nineties. It
was clearing large amounts of salt(?) following a derailment I think.
Mick

You may well be right. Now you have jogged my memory, it was salt spillage
from a faulty hopper door that was destroying track circuits all the way up the
WCML as it went. I certainly saw a photo at the time either in Railnews or
possibly the local rag "Lancashire Evening Post".

depending on how you classify steam - i seem to recall a crane was still in
service in the 80's with BR

[f***@mail.croydon.ac.uk]

I saw a breakdown crane within the last year or so of the final ones
being withdrawn, late '80s or early '90s I think, moving under its own
power, and hauling, or propelling, I can't remember which, a wagon or
two, so this might just about count as a train.

Nothing to do with BR, but the City of New York Department of
Transportation have a steam crane mounted on a barge working on the
reconstruction of the Whitehall terminal for the Staten Island Ferry,
in Manhattan. I saw it in both April and October this year. There are
a couple of winches mounted on the barge which I think are also steam
powered; there are some heavily lagged pipes leading to them.

There is a similar crane close to the other ferry terminal at St.
George on Staten Island, wut I haven't seen this one working.

[f***@mail.croydon.ac.uk]

I saw a breakdown crane within the last year or so of the final ones
being withdrawn, late '80s or early '90s I think, moving under its own
power, and hauling, or propelling, I can't remember which, a wagon or
two, so this might just about count as a train.

Nothing to do with BR, but the City of New York Department of
Transportation have a steam crane mounted on a barge working on the
reconstruction of the Whitehall terminal for the Staten Island Ferry,
in Manhattan. I saw it in both April and October this year. There are
a couple of winches mounted on the barge which I think are also steam
powered; there are some heavily lagged pipes leading to them.

There is a similar crane close to the other ferry terminal at St.
George on Staten Island, wut I haven't seen this one working.

[Roger T.]

"Mick Sturbs"

Post by Splee
Also, did any engines go to their scrapping location under their own power?

I believe it wasn't unknown for a withdrawn loco to be steamed so that it
could tow some of it's other unfortunate mates to the scrap yard.


--
Cheers
Roger T.

Home of the Great Eastern Railway
http://www.highspeedplus.com/~rogertra/

[Spyke]

Post by Mick Sturbs

Post by Furness Vale
I seem to remember an 8F fitted with a steam lance being turned out on the WCML
from Preston northwards clearing points long after the official end.

If I'm thinking of the same thing, this was a preserved loco borrowed
for the job and was sometime in the late eighties - early nineties. It
was clearing large amounts of salt(?) following a derailment I think.

If it's the same incident that I'm thinking of, I believe it was 71000,
borrowed by Railtrack in the mid-90s. I recall reading about it in Steam
Railway at the time, but don't have the magazine anymore to check
details.

[PhilD]

Wasn't there also a scheduled public working over the Settle & Carlisle
line, using a BR standard in the 80000 series? I seem to remember that
one being in Rail News, but I might be muddling two (or more) stories
together.

PhilD

--
<><

[Eddie Bellass]

Post by PhilD
Wasn't there also a scheduled public working over the Settle & Carlisle
line, using a BR standard in the 80000 series? I seem to remember that
one being in Rail News, but I might be muddling two (or more) stories
together.

----------------------------------------

Yes Phil, there was indeed.

It made 2 or three return trips between Carlisle and Appleby or
Garsdale on scheduled trains, replacing the then dmus, in order
to train up a new generation of steam footplatemen for use on
charter trains.

There was even a press trip occasion, during which we hacks
were offered footplate rides, one at a time, between station stops.

Ah.... happy days! I wish I could remember exactly when it was
because I took quite a few pictures and had them published.

(Big sigh) ;-)


Regards,

DigitisED (Eddie Bellass)

Mythical Merseyside, in the Occupied Territories
of Old Lancashire, United Kingdom.

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free and checked
by a leading anti-virus system - updated continuously.

[Andy Kirkham]

Post by Eddie Bellass

Post by PhilD
Wasn't there also a scheduled public working over the Settle & Carlisle
line, using a BR standard in the 80000 series? I seem to remember that
one being in Rail News, but I might be muddling two (or more) stories
together.

----------------------------------------
Yes Phil, there was indeed.
It made 2 or three return trips between Carlisle and Appleby or
Garsdale on scheduled trains, replacing the then dmus, in order
to train up a new generation of steam footplatemen for use on
charter trains.

Remarkable! I didn't know this had happened. I wish I'd been there.
Andy Kirkham
Glasgow

[Andy Kirkham]

Post by PhilD
Wasn't there also a scheduled public working over the Settle &

Carlisle

Post by PhilD
line, using a BR standard in the 80000 series? I seem to remember that
one being in Rail News, but I might be muddling two (or more) stories
together.
PhilD
--
<><

I'm pretty sure the original poster was enquiring after instances in
the immediate aftermath of August 1968, involving BR-owned locos. It
should be remembered that BR imposed a complete ban on steam-hauled
trains after they ceased their own steam operations, which was only
lifted with the return of King George V in 1971. The only exception was
Flying Scotsman, whose owner had a prior agreement with BR.

Any steam workings in the latter era come under the category of
preservation. I don't think there have been any instances of what in
Germany is called "Plandampf" - where steam locos haul regular
scheduled trains on which normal tickets are valid.

The Rotherham B1 seems to remarkable survival, and if it actually ran
under its own power as late as winter 1968-9, I am sure this must have
been the last genuine BR steam loco movement.

Andy Kirkham
Glasgow

[Spyke]

Post by Andy Kirkham
Any steam workings in the latter era come under the category of
preservation. I don't think there have been any instances of what in
Germany is called "Plandampf" - where steam locos haul regular
scheduled trains on which normal tickets are valid.

There was such a service at least once, on the West Highland line a year
or two ago, where the steam locos used normally for working the Jacobite
worked ordinary Scotrail trains as well, on which ordinary tickets were
valid. The extra money required for steam traction was all coughed up by
photographers.

[John M Hughes]

Post by Spyke
There was such a service at least once, on the West Highland line a year
or two ago, where the steam locos used normally for working the Jacobite
worked ordinary Scotrail trains as well, on which ordinary tickets were
valid. The extra money required for steam traction was all coughed up by
photographers.

SImilar situations have happened on the Cambrian steam trains to Aberystwyth,
again in the fairly recent past.

I've heard (can anyone confirm or this is a 'railway myth'?) that one of the
'up' steam specials some years ago was held at Machynlleth after the up service
train had broken down in the Machynlleth - Talerddig section, and was finally
sent into the occupied section as a Breakdown Train Going to Assist, which
allegedly it successfully did.

John M Hughes
West and Wales Web at http://westwales.co.uk

[Ian Johnston]

On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 10:06:10 UTC, "Andy Kirkham"
<***@LTScotland.org.uk> wrote:

: Any steam workings in the latter era come under the category of
: preservation. I don't think there have been any instances of what in
: Germany is called "Plandampf" - where steam locos haul regular
: scheduled trains on which normal tickets are valid.

Glasgow - Stirling trains a few years ago. May have been
post-privatisation, though.

Ian
--

[James Christie]

Post by Ian Johnston
On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 10:06:10 UTC, "Andy Kirkham"
: Any steam workings in the latter era come under the category of
: preservation. I don't think there have been any instances of what in
: Germany is called "Plandampf" - where steam locos haul regular
: scheduled trains on which normal tickets are valid.
Glasgow - Stirling trains a few years ago. May have been
post-privatisation, though.
Ian

Are you maybe thinking of the driver training runs by No.9 in 1993?
Perth to Cumbernauld then round the Springfield(?) circle then back. As
I recall you could buy tickets for this train from BR, but it was still
classed as an excursion.
There was also the E&G 150 Celebration runs using Blue Peter in 1994,
but I can't remember if this took the place of scheduled trains or if it
was a charter. I think it lasted a week, in a mid day slot, so it could
very well have taken the place of a 158.

[John Lancaster]

Post by Spyke

Post by Mick Sturbs

Post by Furness Vale
I seem to remember an 8F fitted with a steam lance being turned out on the WCML
from Preston northwards clearing points long after the official end.

If I'm thinking of the same thing, this was a preserved loco borrowed
for the job and was sometime in the late eighties - early nineties. It
was clearing large amounts of salt(?) following a derailment I think.

If it's the same incident that I'm thinking of, I believe it was 71000,
borrowed by Railtrack in the mid-90s. I recall reading about it in Steam
Railway at the time, but don't have the magazine anymore to check details.

It was WCRC's 8F, 48151, and was used in this way one evening in the late
nineties following a leakage of salt from hopper wagons in a freight train
which caused multiple track circuit failures.

Cheers,
John.

[roger]

Post by Splee
OK, I know that the final steam days of August 1968 are very well
documented, but here is something I was wondering about - we all know
which scheduled trains were the last to be steam hauled, but what was
the very last standard-gauge, under its own power, BR steam locomotive
movement to be made? I'm assuming the very last movement must have been
an empty stock, light engine or shunt move. Does anyone know when,
where, what etc?
Also, did any engines go to their scrapping location under their own power?
Lee
http://splee.livejournal.com

A B1 (No.30) was stabled at Rotherham Masbro' in the winter of 1968-69 as a
boiler for carriage heating.

It travelled light engine from Masbro' to Normanton for servicing and was
used at Darnall and Heeley (Sheffield) carriage sidings.

Roger

[m***@gmx.net]

Post by roger
A B1 (No.30) was stabled at Rotherham Masbro' in the winter of

1968-69 as a

Post by roger
boiler for carriage heating.
It travelled light engine from Masbro' to Normanton for servicing and was
used at Darnall and Heeley (Sheffield) carriage sidings.

I spent a lot of time trainspotting at Masborough during those years
(prior to starting work there in 1971), and I can't remember that at
all. Where was it stabled, exactly? Holmes?

Cheers

Mike

[Bevan Price]

Post by Splee

Post by Splee
OK, I know that the final steam days of August 1968 are very well
documented, but here is something I was wondering about - we all know
which scheduled trains were the last to be steam hauled, but what was
the very last standard-gauge, under its own power, BR steam locomotive
movement to be made? I'm assuming the very last movement must have been
an empty stock, light engine or shunt move. Does anyone know when,
where, what etc?
Also, did any engines go to their scrapping location under their own

power?

Post by Splee
Lee
http://splee.livejournal.com

A B1 (No.30) was stabled at Rotherham Masbro' in the winter of 1968-69 as a
boiler for carriage heating.
It travelled light engine from Masbro' to Normanton for servicing and was
used at Darnall and Heeley (Sheffield) carriage sidings.
Roger

The RCTS History of LNER locos shows Departmental No. 30 (formerly 61050) as
condemned in 4/1968, along with No. 32 (ex 61315), the last two B1's then in BR
stock.

I did once hear a story that someone claimed to have seen 73069 in steam in the
Manchester area, a few weeks after 11 August 1968, but I have doubts about the
accuracy of this tale. Possibly it was on the way to the scrapyard and some
joker was burning rags in the firebox to try and fool people that the loco was
in steam.


Bevan

[Mike Roebuck]

On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 21:52:42 -0000, "Bevan Price"

Post by Bevan Price

Post by roger
A B1 (No.30) was stabled at Rotherham Masbro' in the winter of 1968-69 as a
boiler for carriage heating.
It travelled light engine from Masbro' to Normanton for servicing and was
used at Darnall and Heeley (Sheffield) carriage sidings.

The RCTS History of LNER locos shows Departmental No. 30 (formerly 61050) as
condemned in 4/1968, along with No. 32 (ex 61315), the last two B1's then in BR
stock.

Roger e-mailed me a photograph of the B1, together with some other
details which suggest that he does know what he's talking about.

[Peter Fox]

Post by Mike Roebuck
On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 21:52:42 -0000, "Bevan Price"

Post by Bevan Price

Post by roger
A B1 (No.30) was stabled at Rotherham Masbro' in the winter of 1968-69 as a
boiler for carriage heating.
It travelled light engine from Masbro' to Normanton for servicing and was
used at Darnall and Heeley (Sheffield) carriage sidings.

The RCTS History of LNER locos shows Departmental No. 30 (formerly 61050) as
condemned in 4/1968, along with No. 32 (ex 61315), the last two B1's then in BR
stock.

Roger e-mailed me a photograph of the B1, together with some other
details which suggest that he does know what he's talking about.

These B1s were not stationary boilers. This is a common mistake. They were
normal locos renumbered to Departmental locos. they were allocated to
Canklow in latter days and were used on the "North End Shunt" (station
pilot) duty at Sheffield Midland. They were required to pre-heat the stock
(buffet and restaurant cars) which were often attached to trains coming in
from Leeds and Bradford. In summer this duty would be an 08. When the B1s
were withdrawn a 31 was used.

Peter Fox

Post by Mike Roebuck
--
Regards
Mike
mikedotroebuckatgmxdotnet

[Chris Wilson]

Not much help but when very young I remember seeing a fairly large tank
engine inside the old goods shed at Helmshore (Stubbins Line from Bury to
Accrington) ... this must have been around 1969/70, to put things into
context the line closed in 1966. Don't know what happened to it though. For
a while what was to become the ELR were going to try and keep the line open
in preservation, in the end though they went for the Rawtenstall line which
they operate today.