LMS Route: Nuneaton to Leamington

Old Milverton Lineside Views: lnwr_oldmil1458

Ex-LNWR 2P 4-4-2T 'Precursor Tank' No 6819 is seen running bunker first on a three-coach Nuneaton to Rugby via Leamington service. The 'dip' in the line is very evident in this view of the line and deliberate insofar that to save money the line was not continued at the same level as the embankment on either side of 'Milburn' viaduct. Richard Leach states in his book Rails to Kenilworth and Milverton, 'originally there was a structure which had a single arch, then a solid 32' length of stonework followed by 15 further arches, the last one being partly buried in the embankment. This was widened when doubling took place and still followed the contour of the original structure. In 1926 most of the viaduct was buried by the creation of a new embankment whilst in 1984 the remaining arches were encased in concrete and the track bed raised 18" to reduce the dip's severity'. Built at Crewe works in September 1907 No 6819 was withdrawn from Crewe North shed in February 1937 to be scrapped shortly afterwards by Crewe works.

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