Chris's Train Gallery
The Annesley "Dido"
5th March 2009
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The Annesley "Dido" was the workman's train that ferried staff between Bulwell Common, Hucknall, Newstead and Annesley. Some trips were down the GN branch, serving Hucknall Town and Newstead, others were on the GC main line, calling at Hucknall Central, Annesley South Platform, and Hollinwell and Annesley.
In the early days (at least) for the benefit of the Carriage & Wagon staff, the 7.35 am departure from Bulwell Common was a five-coach formation, which returned from Annesley sidings at 5.10 pm on weekdays, and about 1.00pm on Saturdays.(It has been suggested that the "Dido" was so nicknamed because it ran "day in, day out". Although probably true,I cannot confirm this as I never heard it discussed in my time at Annesley.)
Prior to 1926, the "Dido" was hauled by Sacre and Pollitt 4-4-0's.
The ten years from 1927 to 1937 saw "C14"'s 4-4-2T no.6121 & 6124 shedded at Annesley to work the "Dido".
1937 to 1940 saw the "Dido" worked by Sentinel 2-Cylinder Railcars nos.43306 & 43307. These were replaced by Sentinel 6-Cylinder Railcars nos. 51908 (Jan.1941) & 51912 (Nov.1939) These were finally withdrawn in 1943.
From 1942 till the summer of 1949 the "Dido" was worked by ex-GC Class "F2" 2-4-2 tank engines.7105 was condemned in August 1948, leaving 7106 and 7107 soldiering on for another year.
It was then the turn of the "C12" 4-4-2 tanks, 67363 and 67387.
67387 was replaced at the end of 1951 by ex-Great Eastern "N7" 0-6-2 Tanks no.69651 and 69695,the latter being replaced in May 1954 by sister locomotive no.69692.
The two "N7's" and the "C12" soldiered on until October 1956, when all three were replaced by a trio of ex-Great Central "A5" 4-6-2 Tanks, nos.69809, 69818 and 69825.
These in turn lasted until December 1958, when "Midlandisation" had reared its ugly head!January 1959 saw the arrival at Annesley of three Fowler Class "4" Tanks, nos. 42333, 42339 and 42361.
They lasted exactly a year before being transferred to Trafford Park (9E).......next came the two engines that were probably the most suitable for the "Dido" - Ivatt Class "2" Tanks nos.41280 and 41320. The latter was transferred to Exmouth Junction on the Southern Region in September 1961, leaving her sister to soldier on alone until April 1962.
Although the end was in sight for the "Dido", 41280 was replaced by yet three more "modern" engines. BR Standard Class "2" 2-6-2 Tanks nos.84006,84007 and 84027.
No.5 link at Annesley was always known as the "Dido" Link, although it only formed a small part of the link's 24 workings. Unfortunately, by the time I reached this link, the "Dido" had ceased to run. It stopped running at the end of the Summer timetable on 8th September 1962.
The
The "Dido" has just passed under Farleys Lane bridge on its way to Bulwell Common in this c.1954 view.
 Ex-Great Central Class
Ex-Great Central Class "C14" 4-4-2T no.6124 with the Annesley "Dido" in 1929. Apart from a 6-month break, she was at Annesley for 20years, from May 1919 till May 1939.Renumbered 67444 By British Railways, she was withdrawn from Gorton (39A) in July 1957 after a life of 50 years
 BR class 2 2-6-2T 84007 stands in store at Annesley 13th Jan 1963. She was withdrawn from Wellingborough (15B) one year later.This loco, with sister engine 84027 were transferred to Annesley in March 1962 to replace ex-LMS 2-6-2 tanks nos. 41280 and 41320 on the
BR class 2 2-6-2T 84007 stands in store at Annesley 13th Jan 1963. She was withdrawn from Wellingborough (15B) one year later.This loco, with sister engine 84027 were transferred to Annesley in March 1962 to replace ex-LMS 2-6-2 tanks nos. 41280 and 41320 on the "Dido" workmans service.
Sentinel Railmotor 43307 stands proudly on no.1 road at Annesley July 1937. She was a 100hp 2 Cyl Sentinel-Cammell unit, and was withdrawn from Annesley in January 1940.
Sentinel Railmotor 43307 stands proudly on no.1 road at Annesley July 1937. She was a 100hp 2 Cyl Sentinel-Cammell unit, and was withdrawn from Annesley in January 1940.
 Ex-LMS 2-6-2T 41280 has just been lit up. She will soon be prepared to take over the next working of the
Ex-LMS 2-6-2T 41280 has just been lit up. She will soon be prepared to take over the next working of the "Annesley Dido", the workmans train that ran between Bulwell and Annesley. this photo was taken prior toMarch 1962, when 41280 and her sister 41320 were replaced by BR Standard 2-6-2 Tanks 84007 and 84027.
 Annesley's 2-6-4T no.42361 departs with the
Annesley's 2-6-4T no.42361 departs with the "Dido" She was withdrawn from Gorton (9G) Feb.1964
Withdrawn the same month, BR class 2 2-6-2T 84027 at Annesley in May 1964. This loco, with sister engine 84007 were transferred to Annesley in March 1962 to replace ex-LMS 2-6-2 tanks nos. 41280 and 41320 on the
Withdrawn the same month, BR class 2 2-6-2T 84027 at Annesley in May 1964. This loco, with sister engine 84007 were transferred to Annesley in March 1962 to replace ex-LMS 2-6-2 tanks nos. 41280 and 41320 on the "Dido" workmans service.
 41280 stands outside the shed shunter's cabin sometime in 1960. Lou Britten and Nobby Clarke are probably utilising her between
41280 stands outside the shed shunter's cabin sometime in 1960. Lou Britten and Nobby Clarke are probably utilising her between "Dido" workings. Built at Crewe Works Oct.1950, she was withdrawn from Leicester (15C) in December 1962.
 May 1953 sees
May 1953 sees "N7" 0-6-2T no.69691 at Newstead (GN) with the "up" Dido
The
The "Dido" is pictured at Annesley North Junction signal box. with "C12" 4-4-2T no.67363
 Fireman Roy Warhurst and Driver George Pavey have just serviced
Fireman Roy Warhurst and Driver George Pavey have just serviced "C12" 4-4-2T no.67363 after working the "Dido" 11/4/54. October 1956 saw her transferred to Tilbury (33B). She then went to New England (34E) in August 1958, where she was withdrawn 3 months later.
 Ex-GN class
Ex-GN class"C12" 4-4-2 tank no.67387 works the "dido" in this pre-1952 shot

"Dido" tank 84007 out of use in late 1963
 Driver Joe Barber has just arrived at Hollinwell and Annesley with the
Driver Joe Barber has just arrived at Hollinwell and Annesley with the "Dido"
 Ex-GE
Ex-GE "N7" 0-6-2 tank no 69651 waits for the next "dido" turn with driver Joe Barber.
December 1958 sees
December 1958 sees "A5" 4-6-2 tank awaiting her final transfer to Colwick. For the last two years she had been sharing the "dido" workings.
 An outside-framed 4-4-0 heads the 7.35 away from Bulwell Common in this 1926 photo.
An outside-framed 4-4-0 heads the 7.35 away from Bulwell Common in this 1926 photo.
 LNER
LNER "D9" 4-4-0 no.6016 was based at Annesley from 8/11/1919 to 31/1/1937
The harsh winter of 1962/3 sees BR 2MT 2-6-2 tanks 84007/27 stored out of use.
The harsh winter of 1962/3 sees BR 2MT 2-6-2 tanks 84007/27 stored out of use.
"N7" 0-6-2 tank no.69691 stands on no.1 road ready for her next "dido" duty. She was at Annesley from November 1951 to June 1954. Photo taken 24th May 1953.
 One of Annesley's three
One of Annesley's three "N7" 0-6-2T "Dido" engines, no.69695 was there from November 1951 to May 1954. She then returned to the Great Eastern section, finally being withdrawn from Stratford (30A) in February 1959
21st April 1958 sees
21st April 1958 sees "A5" 4-6-2T no.69818 parked on no.1 road
 The
The "Dido" leaves Bulwell Common headed by an ex-GN "C12" 4-4-2T, probably 67363!
 Ex-GE
Ex-GE "N7" 0-6-2 tank no 69651 approaching Bulwell Common on the GN line with the "Dido"
An extremely rare shot of the
An extremely rare shot of the "Dido" engine and coach on the ashpits 21st March 1950 sees stalwart "C12" 4-4-2T 67363 having her fire cleaned.
 The ten years from 1927 to 1937 saw
The ten years from 1927 to 1937 saw "C14" 4-4-2T working the "Dido". Here she is standing on the "slip" road on 8th September 1939. She was withdrawn as no.67441 from Gorton (39A) following a collision in August 1957.
A close-up of 41320 heading the
A close-up of 41320 heading the "Dido"
Super-Power for the
Super-Power for the "Dido"! "9F" No.92011 stands at Newstead (GN) on 5th May 1959
 Next stop Hucknall Town! Annesley's
Next stop Hucknall Town! Annesley's "B1" 4-6-0 no.61063 departs from Bulwell Common with the "Dido" in this 1952 view. She was withdrawn from Woodford Halse (2F) in Feb.1962 and cut up at BR Darlington Works in October of that year.
 August 1946 sees
August 1946 sees "F2" 2-4-2T no.7105 at Newstead (GN) waiting departure for Hucknall (Town) & Bulwell Common. She came to Annesley a year earlier and was condemned in August 1948.
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