LMS Route: The Shakespeare Route

Goldicot Cutting: smje102

Ex-Great Western Railway 0-6-0 2251 class, No 2274 with Inspection Saloon No 80974 in Goldicote Cutting, near Ettington on the SMJR on 27th March 1958. This inspection was probably associated with the construction of the new junctions at Stratford-upon-Avon and Fenny Compton for the Banbury to South Wales Iron Ore trains. No 2274 was built at Swindon Works in August 1934 as part of lot 283. The 2251 class of locomotives were built to replace the life expired Armstrong and Dean 0-6-0 tender engines which had operated goods trains over the relatively light lines absorbed into the Great Western Railway system following the grouping. With an axle weight of under 16 tons, the 2251 class could operate over Yellow classified routes, so was less restricted than the heavier 2-6-0 43xx class and proved versatile operating both local goods and passenger services. In December 1947 No 2274 was allocated to Worcester shed (WOS). In September 1960, it was withdrawn from Carmarthen shed (87G) and scrapped at Swindon Works in November 1960. Inspection Saloon No 80974 was one of six coaches built at Swindon Works in 1948 to Diagram Q13 under lot 1701. These coaches were 52 foot long by 8 foot 11 inch wide carried on pressed steel 9 foot wheelbase bogies. They had an open saloon at each end with a complement of twenty three loose chairs. At each end the saloons had large windows and a warning gong. In the centre of the coach was a galley, lavatory and guard’s brake. All access doors had steps. No 80974 was withdrawn from service in 1972 and is now preserved on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Robert Ferris

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