LMS Route: Water Orton to Walsall

Penns Station: mrp1148

Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45648 'Wemyss' is seen passing through Penns at the head of the down relief Pines Express on 4th August 1962. The locomotive is carrying on its smokebox door the train reporting number of 1097. Being a Saturday, both the Pines Express and its relief train, were diverted away from its normal route of using the ex-LNWR Wolverhampton to New Street line and used instead the former Midland route of Wolverhampton to Kings Norton via Walsall, Castle Bromwich, Lawley Street Junction and Camp Hill. This helped to relieve pressure on traffic arriving and departing from New Street station. The locomotives supplied by Saltley shed to take forward the two trains ran light engine to Walsall station to make the change over. Built as LMS No 5648 by Crewe works in January 1935 No 45648 remained in service until February 1963 when it was withdrawn from 17B Burton-on-Trent shed to be scrapped by Crewe works the same month.

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