Locomotive types on the Portishead Branch 1950's/1960's

[Hobbler]

In connection with the modelling project of Portishead station around 1960 I am constructing I am looking for information on locomotive classes that were used on the branch around that time .

I certainly remember the ex GW railcars , the Standard Class 3 tanks and Pannier Tanks (57XX ?) being used on the line but wonder if there were any other types in regular use .

Also I believe Albright and Wilson had their own loco/s for use on their private sidings - anyone have details ?

[jolly47roger]

DMU's were regular on Sunday services (my father was in Ham Green Hospital in 1960) http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/File:Portishead15.jpg and http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/File:Ham_Green_Halt3.jpg

[Robin Summerhill]

Now I come to think of it, the D63XXs were used occasionally on passenger trains.

[jules]

And Hymeks and the occasional Warship too, though I don't think a Western ever made it up there. Certainly Class 14's as well in early 60's on freights.

The Portishead branch was known during 70's as "stick anything up there" so Class 47's and later Peaks, 25's, 31's and 37's were all regular performers.

[mastermuddle]

The class 94xx were used and driver Cliff Ellacott and my self use to love having the no 5 transfer loco on the Saturday turn. do half the shunting then retire to the Lion inn for lunch ,then finish off the shunting.Then back to West depot and then as orderd. Later after the closing of the passenger service there was a Sunday turn with a diesel shunter to service the power staion.

[Hobbler]

Thanks chaps thats all very usefull information. Seems I will have plenty of choice as far as the diesel worked services are concerned and I had completely forgotten that there were 94XX locos around then.

jolly 47roger - I also had a spell of several months in Ham Green Hospital when it was an Isolation Hospital as an eight year old with Scarlet Fever - got spoilt rotten by the nurses as the only kid in there at that time but while recuperating and being allowed out into the grounds I discovered the lake and later in 1960 would regularly go fishing there on a Sunday, so may have been there when your dad was .

[Robin Summerhill]

The Portishead branch was known during 70's as "stick anything up there"

'Twas ever thus by the look of it. My 1959 Working Time Table gives the following information:

Route colour: Dotted red Parson Street Junction and West Depot to Clifton Bridge, yellow Clifton Bridge to Portishead

Engines authorised Parson Street Junction and West Depot to Clifton Bridge - all classes except 60xx "King", 47xx, BR Standard class 8 4-6-2 and gas turbine locomotive no.18000. All "red" engines not to exceed 20mph. Trigger cock gear lever to be removed from 61xx.

Southern region West Country and King Arthur classes may work to Clifton Bridge subject to King Arthur class must not exceed 20mph. This includes permission for two engines of either class to work coupled together or coupled to any other engine.

Engines authorised Clifton Bridge to Portishead - uncoloured and yellow engines and BR standard class 2 2-6-0. 84xx and 94xx singly, coupled together or coupled to any other engine.

So there you are - on your model you could probably get away with two King Arthurs in Portshead station that had got sent through from Clifton Bridge by mistake

(I shall leave to others the job of explaining the GWR route colour system to any of our younger brethren who don't know!)

[AndyK]

I believe I've seen a photo of a 9F on the branch.

[AndyK]

Also I believe Albright and Wilson had their own loco/s for use on their private sidings - anyone have details ?

There was a saddle tank that, after it was taken out of use, was restored and displayed at the factory entrance, perhaps about 1970. I did see it there but can't remember much about it. I expect there is a good chance it was a Peckett.

[Marsh'Un]

It seems that weight restrictions were lifted completely in 1963/64.

A report from the July 1964 "Railway Observer" tells of a freight working from Portishead to Oldbury (West Midlands ?) which during April/May `64 , produced examples of "Grange", "County","Castle", LMS 8F and BR 9F being used on the branch.

Also, I vaguely recall reading that one of the few Peckett diesel shunters worked at Albright and Wilsons - Can anyone confirm this ?

[Hobbler]

Also I believe Albright and Wilson had their own loco/s for use on their private sidings - anyone have details ?

There was a saddle tank that, after it was taken out of use, was restored and displayed at the factory entrance, perhaps about 1970. I did see it there but can't remember much about it. I expect there is a good chance it was a Peckett.

That would make sense as in 1969 Albright & Wilson obtained the Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical loco NORMAN that had been owned by the Port of Bristol Authority and used at Portishead Docks .