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LMS Route: Rugby to Leamington Spa (Avenue)

LMS Route: Leamington to Weedon

Marton Junction: lnwrmartj4161

Ex-LNWR 2-4-2T 5ft 6in Tank engine No 46654 is seen on the return Leamington to Rugby service on 17th May 1952

Ex-LNWR 2-4-2T 5ft 6in Tank engine No 46654 is seen on the return Leamington to Rugby service on 17th May 1952. The signal protecting the junction clearly shows the semaphore arm for the line to Rugby raised with the other arm for the branch to Weeden being in the horizontal and danger position. The train is operating as a Motor Train whereby the rear carriage has been especially adapted to allow the driver to control the train whilst the locomotive, accommodating the fireman, pushes from the rear. The L&NWR first introduced motor train working on the Red Wharf Bay line in 1909 and subsequently elsewhere. The LMS also converted some ex-LNWR 0-6-2T Coal Tanks. For the scholar interested in such matters, in Ted Talbot's 'An Illustrated History of LNWR Engines' there is a drawing of a 2-4-2T 5ft 6in tank Engine in LMS days fitted for motor-train working.

The initial push & pull gear was mechanical using rodding that could often be seen below the front bufferbeam on locos so fitted. LNWR coaches fitted for motor train working often had their vacuum cylinders mounted on the same side of the chassis instead of being diagonally opposed, presumably to clear the mechanical linkage. From circa 1927, the LMS started to use the Auto Vacuum system, but conversions from the mechanical push pull linkage system did not occur overnight and some coaches were never converted at all. For example, of the six LNWR M49 driving trailers, all were converted except 3415 (post 1933 number), this odd one out simply retaining rodding until withdrawn in 1951. It is reasonable to assume that there were still some locos fitted with mechanical gear to work this coach.

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