LMS Route: Coventry Loop Line

Humber Road Junction: lnwrcll111

Ex-LMS 5MT 2-6-0 'Stanier Mogul' No 42953 is seen working the empty stock of a Blackpool to Coventry service as it passes through Humber Road junction. The chalked train reporting number on the smokebox was a sign of the more utilitarian approach in post-war Britain replacing the boards seen pre-war. Robert Stephenson writes 'The loco carries the reporting number W412, which was the 10:55 (Saturday Only) Blackpool North to Stechford, first stop Wolverhampton at 14:07 then Coseley Deepfields at 14:21, Dudley Port 14:29, Smethwick 14:46, New Street 14:56 to arrive at Stechford at 15:09. Outside the peak summer Saturdays it was extended to Coventry arriving at 15:42. The empty stock was then (I presume) worked on to Rugby hence the locomotive is carrying the lamps for empty coaching stock (ECS). All this information relates to Summer 1959. In summer 1957 this train ran around 30 minutes later but carried the same reporting number'. On the loop line new ballast is being laid indicating the usefulness of the loop line still remained up to the 1960s. Built at Crewe works as LMS No 2953 in December 1933 No 42953 remained in service until January 1966 when it was withdrawn from Springs Branch shed in Wigan to be scrapped in June 1966 by TW Ward Ltd of Beighton near Sheffield.

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