LMS Route: Trent Valley Line

LMS Route: Nuneaton to Leamington

Nuneaton Station: lnwrns2714

Ex-LMS 4MT 2-6-0 No 43001 stands cold but coaled and watered ready for the next day's working. Built by Horwich works in December 1947, No 43001 was designed by HG Ivatt, the last Chief Mechanical Engineer of the LMS, and was to remain in service until September 1967 when it was withdrawn from 5B Crewe (South) shed. Seen in typical latter day condition, the engine was the penultimate locomotive built under the LMS regime and would have carried No '3001' initially, then changed to 'M3001' under BR ownership until all the new numbers were sorted and its new number became '43001' in August 1948. Its main allocations were Devons Road (1D), until turned over to diesels, Nuneaton (2B) for 5 years and Crewe South (5B). The original double chimney was changed to the single arrangement in August 1956 and the AWS equipment was belatedly added in August 1960, one of 68% of the class to be so fitted. The unusual metal frame on the rear of the coal space was said to be an aid to the loading gauge, but only appeared in conjunction with the 'flash' power warning signs from around 1959, to try to prevent crews from standing up on the rear of the tender.

Derek Dean

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