LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street

LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth

Saltley Shed: mrsalt75

Ex-MR 0-6-4T 'Flatiron' No 2003 is seen standing at Saltley shed with coaled piled high on the bunker with boarding used to retain the poor quality coal in September 1936. The coal looks as if primarily 'slack', a description used to describe small pieces of often poor quality coal, the better quality and larger pieces being allocated to express passenger locomotives. The board has been placed not just to maximise the amount loaded but to prevent any wind from blowing it away whilst the locomotive is stabled. This type of coal was a fireman's worst nightmare because not only was it poor for providing the high levels of heat necessary, but the small pieces would often be lifted by the draught straight off the shovel and up the chimney. Built at Derby in December 1909, No 2003 remained in service for less than twelve months being withdrawn from Nottingham shed in August 1937 to be scrapped soon afterwards

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