GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Birmingham Snow Hill - British Railways Period Locomotives: gwrbsh1823

Ex-GWR 2884 class 2-8-0 No 2898 trundles through Snow Hill with a Type 3 train on 23rd November 1963. According to British Railways 1962 Train Reporting Codes a Type 3 service covered Parcels, fish, fruit, horse, livestock, meat, milk, pigeon or perishables train composed entirely of vehicles conforming to coaching stock requirements. Empty coaching stock train (not specifically authorised to carry '1' headcode). Built by Swindon works to Lot 321 in November 1938 No 2898 remained in service until October 1964 when it was withdrawn from 81E Didcot shed. The class designed for heavy freight work. They were a development of the earlier 2800 Class. The 2884s differed from the original engines in a number of respects, the most obvious being that a more modern Collett side window cab was provided. Altogether one hundred and sixty-seven locomotives were built. They were so popular with the ex-Great Western crews that the Western Region of British Railways operating authorities wanted more of the class built after nationalisation in 1948. However, this request was turned down in favour of British Railways' new Standard Class 9F locomotives.

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