LMS Route: Rugby to Wolverhampton

Canley Halt: lnwrchg542

Ex-LMS 4F 0-6-0 No 44439 and ex-LMS 8F 2-8-0 No 48752 are both working on a civil engineer's working. Such operations have resulted in both ex-LMS 0-6-0 4F No 44439 and ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F No 48752 coupled to a Fowler tender, operating on the 'wrong' lines to their direction of travel. It was common practice for ballast trains to be fitted with a guards van at both ends of the ballast trucks allowing the train to be shunted in either direction with the minimum of fuss. In some instances these brake vans would be fitted with small "ploughs" to level off the ballast to prevent derailment of the stock. The brake van behind the 8F appears to be so equipped. Built at Crewe works in December 1927 No 44439 remained in service until April 1964 when it was withdrawn from service from Sutton Oak shed to be scrapped by TW Ward of Killmarsh in December 1964.

Photographer John Hyde © Steam Archive

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