OK, I know these locos were built specifically for the S&D, but worked or were hauled to to Derby when overhaul was due.
I believe that occasionally one might be seen at Barrow Road.
Did they ever work trains to say, Avonmouth or Gloucester etc?
S & D 7Fs
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Robin Summerhill
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2019 9:36 am
Re: S & D 7Fs
The 7Fs were designed specifically for the S&D and, whilst one was trialled in the 1920s on the Toton to Brent coal workings, the class never strayed far from their home patch except for overhauls at Derby.
As regards where else they actually worked during their lifetimes, the most diplomatic thing to say is that the jury is out on this! There is a school of thought that says they were barred north of Bath, but that actually makes little sense. There is no doubt that they went to Derby and there is no obvious reason why they could not have got there and back under their own power, and doing some useful work on the way if there was traffic to move.
From the S&D operations point of view, however, they were designed for that line and they had plenty of work to do on it. I can easily imagine the authorities in the 1930s and 1940s wanting to make sure they stayed there for purely operational reasons and, as they were all allocated to Bath Green Park it is unlikely that any depot other than on the S&D ever used them. So, by extension, if Green Park men worked there, the chances are that the 7Fs went there too. This would include Avonmouth and Gloucester.
As regards them visiting arrow Road, the original LMS shed code system was designed around the concept of major repairs workshop and ÔÇ£garages.ÔÇØ 22A, Barrow Road, was the major repair centre for the 22 group so yes the 7Fs would have gone to Barrow Road for heavy repairs that didnÔÇÖt require a works visit.
The situation over where they could or could not be seen working may have begun to change by the 1950s as the North Somerset coalfield began to run down its output, and it may be that they began to be seen more often in places like Avonmouth and Westerleigh. There is a photograph in existence that I have seen somewhere showing one on the High Orchard branch to Gloucester Docks, but personally I would have thought that that was very much a one-off
As regards where else they actually worked during their lifetimes, the most diplomatic thing to say is that the jury is out on this! There is a school of thought that says they were barred north of Bath, but that actually makes little sense. There is no doubt that they went to Derby and there is no obvious reason why they could not have got there and back under their own power, and doing some useful work on the way if there was traffic to move.
From the S&D operations point of view, however, they were designed for that line and they had plenty of work to do on it. I can easily imagine the authorities in the 1930s and 1940s wanting to make sure they stayed there for purely operational reasons and, as they were all allocated to Bath Green Park it is unlikely that any depot other than on the S&D ever used them. So, by extension, if Green Park men worked there, the chances are that the 7Fs went there too. This would include Avonmouth and Gloucester.
As regards them visiting arrow Road, the original LMS shed code system was designed around the concept of major repairs workshop and ÔÇ£garages.ÔÇØ 22A, Barrow Road, was the major repair centre for the 22 group so yes the 7Fs would have gone to Barrow Road for heavy repairs that didnÔÇÖt require a works visit.
The situation over where they could or could not be seen working may have begun to change by the 1950s as the North Somerset coalfield began to run down its output, and it may be that they began to be seen more often in places like Avonmouth and Westerleigh. There is a photograph in existence that I have seen somewhere showing one on the High Orchard branch to Gloucester Docks, but personally I would have thought that that was very much a one-off
Re: S & D 7Fs
I can certainly recall seeing one working through Clifton Down on an Avonmouth goods on at least one occasion. Early 1960s, 1961 or 1962 I guess.
Re: S & D 7Fs
I've now referred this matter to a more knowledgeable friend.
He reckons that it's on record two 7Fs were overhauled at Swindon and passenger workings to Gloucester were not unknown.
It is alleged, but not confirmed, one worked a passenger train to Birmingham from Bath.
He reckons that it's on record two 7Fs were overhauled at Swindon and passenger workings to Gloucester were not unknown.
It is alleged, but not confirmed, one worked a passenger train to Birmingham from Bath.
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Robin Summerhill
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2019 9:36 am
Re: S & D 7Fs
I can certainly believe that the 7Fs may have worked to Gloucester because Bath Green Park footplate staff worked there
Birmingham is also possible, especially on unbalanced specials where the engine would have returned light. Another possibility would have been one working to Brum en route to Derby Works
However, overhauls at Swindon would be another natter, because Swindon would not have had replacement components for them. That said, towards the end of steam on the WR, ÔÇ£foreignÔÇØ engines did start to be overhauled at Swindon but IIRC that was not until about 1964 by which time the 7Fs either had been or were about to be withdrawn.
Is there any photographic evidence to support the Swindon claim?
Birmingham is also possible, especially on unbalanced specials where the engine would have returned light. Another possibility would have been one working to Brum en route to Derby Works
However, overhauls at Swindon would be another natter, because Swindon would not have had replacement components for them. That said, towards the end of steam on the WR, ÔÇ£foreignÔÇØ engines did start to be overhauled at Swindon but IIRC that was not until about 1964 by which time the 7Fs either had been or were about to be withdrawn.
Is there any photographic evidence to support the Swindon claim?
Re: S & D 7Fs
Sadly, I've not been able to get in touch with my mate, 150 miles away. I too was surprised to hear of 2-8-0s at Swindon, but as he's more knowledgeable than me, I accepted it. Next time I'll ask where he found this out.Robin Summerhill wrote: Thu Apr 07, 2022 9:25 pm However, overhauls at Swindon would be another natter, because Swindon would not have had replacement components for them. That said, towards the end of steam on the WR, ÔÇ£foreignÔÇØ engines did start to be overhauled at Swindon but IIRC that was not until about 1964 by which time the 7Fs either had been or were about to be withdrawn.
Is there any photographic evidence to support the Swindon claim?