GWR Route: Alcester to Hatton Junction

Claverdon Station: gwrc550

The replacement station viewed in 1964 from the Bearley end of the platform, with a Leamington to Gloucester train hauled by a Great Western 4-6-0 5013 'Castle' class, No 5042 'Winchester Castle'. The ‘5013’ class differed externally only superficially from the original ‘4073’Castle class, but they had a different boiler and firebox with a smaller grate. This batch of engines was also the first to make use of the Zeiss precision optical gear for lining up the locomotive frames and cylinders. This improved accuracy enabled clearances to be reduced and it was reported that the mechanisms of these locomotives ran as quiet as a sewing machine when new. No.5042 was built at Swindon in July 1935, withdrawn from Horton Rd Shed, Gloucester (85B) in June 1965 and scrapped by Birds, Bridgend in October of the same year. The roadside booking office see 'gwrc6' can just be seen top left above the platform waiting room/toilet and in front of the road bridge is the connecting concrete footbridge. Through the bridge arch the original station platform is visible. This was now relegated to a goods platform, with the old station building used as a lock-up.

Robert Ferris

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