GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Birmingham Snow Hill Station: gwrbsh3152colour

A colourisation by Mark Judd of ex-GWR 0-6-0PT No 8737 emerging out of the black depths of Snow Hill Tunnel, with a trip freight from Bordesley to Hockley on 4th July 1959. The locomotive was much travelled during 1959 being recorded at St Philips Marsh at the beginning of the year, then it was transferred to Worcester in April, only to be transferred back to St Philips Marsh in May, following which it was then moved to Tyseley shed in June to be finally transferred to St Blazey shed in the September. Built by Swindon works in April 1931, No 8737 was to remain in service until December 1962 when it was withdrawn from 87A Court Sart shed in Neath. Mark writes. 'This is one of my early colourations and I just love the atmosphere this creates. I am so envious of the boys standing at the end of the platforms at Snow Hill as I missed this opportunity by a couple of years. You can smell the sulphur in the air and feel the warmth of the sun as No 8737 emerges out of the black depths of Snow Hill Tunnel, with a trip freight from Bordesley. The spotters don't give it a second glance, obviously a 'cop' on many other previous occasions'.

Original photograph by Michael Mensing is below:

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