LMS Route: Trent Valley Line

LMS Route: Nuneaton to Leamington (LNWR)

LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham (MR)

Nuneaton Shed: lnwrnsh361

Ex-LMS 2-6-0 4MT No 43024 is seen standing on shed with steam escaping from one of its injectors prior to leaving the shed circa 1950. An Ivatt Class 4 Mogul, No 43024 was captured on film the same day as stable mates Nos 43019 and 43025. The double chimney was often regarded as ugly and the steaming of the engine was said to be extremely poor, but 43024 had to wait another 3 years before a single chimney, blastpipe and the draughting were reset, giving a recorded increase of more than 80% in steaming capability. Sometimes these engines were called "doodle bugs" after the WWII flying bombs because of their high and utility front running board. Built at Horwich works in January 1949, just thirteen months after the railways were nationalised, No 43024 remained in service until June 1967 when it was withdrawn from Crewe South shed to be scrapped in October 1967 by J Cashmore of Great Bridge.

Derek Dean

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