GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

Hatton Bank: gwrhb97

Ex-GWR 2884 class 2-8-0 No 3825 climbs Hatton bank on the down main line with a class C express freight (partly vacuum fitted - i.e. not less than one third of vacuum brake fitted stock connected by vacuum pipe to the locomotive) on 7th September 1956. Excluding the first three vans the rest of the wagons appear to be carrying an identical load. This view is from the bridge seen in gwrhb96, which was a favourite spot for photographers. The 2884 class was a Collett update of the original Churchward 28xx class with outside steam pipes and several other minor modifications. Built at Swindon in September 1940 No 3825 was allocated to Banbury Shed for the duration of World War 2. The wartime engines were built without side windows and with provision for Air Raid Precaution (ARP) screens to obscure the light from the fire hole, but after 1946 the side windows were provided. Engine No 3825 was withdrawn from Wrexham Shed (6E) in October 1964 and scrapped at Birds of Morriston, Swansea in January 1965.

Robert Ferris

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