Withdrawn from Willesden Depot in London in July 1965, 8624 seemed destined to be cut up for scrap along with thousands of other steam locomotives. However, fate was on her side and it was bought for scrap by Woodham Brother's of Barry who famously allowed 213 steam locomotives, including 8624, to be re-sold for preservation instead of scrapping them. Salvation for 8624 came in 1981, when she was purchased by the 48624 Society for preservation and moved to Peak Rail's former base at Buxton for work to begin.
On Saturday 25 April 2009, 8624 moved under her own power for the first time in almost 44 years.
On May 23rd, she worked her first train in preservation, the 09.45 Rowsley to Matlock Shareholders Special, with John Patrick driving and myself firing. Unfortunately 8624 ran hot during this trip, but after some sterling repair work she resumed service on the 13.56 departure.
On Saturday 25 April 2009, 8624 moved under her own power for the first time in almost 44 years.
On May 23rd, she worked her first train in preservation, the 09.45 Rowsley to Matlock Shareholders Special, with John Patrick driving and myself firing. Unfortunately 8624 ran hot during this trip, but after some sterling repair work she resumed service on the 13.56 departure.
7th May 2009 saw Peak Rail "8F" 2-8-0 no.8624 take her boiler examination, which she passed with flying colours! She then went on to the coaching stock at Rowsley South to perform brake tests. After lunch we then went light engine to Matlock Riverside and back, stopping for frequent examination. Apart from a slightly warm big-end, all went well!
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.
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.
Annesley Motive Power Depot was an ex-GC depot, coded 38B until taken under the London Midland Region's wing in 1958. It was then coded 16D, and in 1963, 16B. Closure occured on 3rd January 1966. I started at Annesley as a cleaner on 11th January 1960, and started firing on my 16th birthday. I reached the dizzy heights of no.4 link before transferring to Toton in April 1965.
Annesley MPD Allocation in 1960
Ex LMR 2-6-2 Push & Pull Tanks 41280 41320
Ex-LMR 2-6-0 "Crabs" 42769 42784 42847 42872 42897
"Black Five" 4-6-0's 44932 45116 45223 45234 45450
Ex-LNER "O1" 2-8-0's 63578 63579 63591 63610 63676 63689 63711 63740 63752 63777 63789 63792 63796 63806 63808 63817 63838 63854 63865 63867 63869 63886 63901
Ex-Great Central "Pom-Pom" 0-6-0's 64375 64420
Ex-LNER J39 "Standard" 0-6-0's 64739 64798 64955
BR "9F" 92010 92011 92012 92013 92030 92031 92032 92033 92043 92067 92068 92069 92071 92072 92073 92074 92075 92076 92087 92088 92089 92090 92091 92092 92093 92094 92095 92096
Diesel Shunters D3859 D3860 D3861
Total: 71
Five years later, only three types of steam engine remained on Annesley's books; ex-LMS 5MT's and 8F's, and BR 9F's:
"Black Fives": 44665 44717 44835 44847 44848 44932 44984 45215 45234 45301 45333 45334 45335 45342 45346 45406 45416 45450.
"8F'"s: 48037 48057 48079 48141 48166 48168 48142 48293 48304 48324 48363 48378 48661.
"9F"'s: 92011 92013 92014 92030 92031 92032 92033 92043 92067 92068 92069 92071 92072 92073 92074 92075 92083 92087 92088 92090 92091 92092 92093 92094 92095 92096 92113 92132 92154.
Diesel Shunters D3859 D3860 D3861
Total: 64
Unfortunately the writing was on the wall for Annesley MPD. In March 1965 all the express freight and fish services were diverted to the Midland route via Derby. Three months later Woodford yards were closed and that was the end of the famous Annesley - Woodford freight service, the fastest unbraked freight service in Europe (and probably the world)
Monday 14th June 1965 saw the partial (!) closure of Annesley Depot, leaving just sixteen sets of men to work the remaining duties with a handful of "Black Fives". These were supplemented in September of that year by the transfer to Banbury (2D) of seven "Britannia" class 4-6-2's, nos.70045/47/50 - 54. These were frequent visitors to Annesley until its final closure on 3rd January 1966.
This collection fearures some of the men and machines of Annesley Motive Power Depot.
Annesley MPD Allocation in 1960
Ex LMR 2-6-2 Push & Pull Tanks 41280 41320
Ex-LMR 2-6-0 "Crabs" 42769 42784 42847 42872 42897
"Black Five" 4-6-0's 44932 45116 45223 45234 45450
Ex-LNER "O1" 2-8-0's 63578 63579 63591 63610 63676 63689 63711 63740 63752 63777 63789 63792 63796 63806 63808 63817 63838 63854 63865 63867 63869 63886 63901
Ex-Great Central "Pom-Pom" 0-6-0's 64375 64420
Ex-LNER J39 "Standard" 0-6-0's 64739 64798 64955
BR "9F" 92010 92011 92012 92013 92030 92031 92032 92033 92043 92067 92068 92069 92071 92072 92073 92074 92075 92076 92087 92088 92089 92090 92091 92092 92093 92094 92095 92096
Diesel Shunters D3859 D3860 D3861
Total: 71
Five years later, only three types of steam engine remained on Annesley's books; ex-LMS 5MT's and 8F's, and BR 9F's:
"Black Fives": 44665 44717 44835 44847 44848 44932 44984 45215 45234 45301 45333 45334 45335 45342 45346 45406 45416 45450.
"8F'"s: 48037 48057 48079 48141 48166 48168 48142 48293 48304 48324 48363 48378 48661.
"9F"'s: 92011 92013 92014 92030 92031 92032 92033 92043 92067 92068 92069 92071 92072 92073 92074 92075 92083 92087 92088 92090 92091 92092 92093 92094 92095 92096 92113 92132 92154.
Diesel Shunters D3859 D3860 D3861
Total: 64
Unfortunately the writing was on the wall for Annesley MPD. In March 1965 all the express freight and fish services were diverted to the Midland route via Derby. Three months later Woodford yards were closed and that was the end of the famous Annesley - Woodford freight service, the fastest unbraked freight service in Europe (and probably the world)
Monday 14th June 1965 saw the partial (!) closure of Annesley Depot, leaving just sixteen sets of men to work the remaining duties with a handful of "Black Fives". These were supplemented in September of that year by the transfer to Banbury (2D) of seven "Britannia" class 4-6-2's, nos.70045/47/50 - 54. These were frequent visitors to Annesley until its final closure on 3rd January 1966.
This collection fearures some of the men and machines of Annesley Motive Power Depot.
The weekend of 25th/26th October 2008 saw GWR 4-4-0 "City of Truro" together with LMS 4-6-0 "Leander" and SR 4-6-0 "Lord Nelson" at the Great Central Railway.
Monday 22nd September 2008 saw new "A1" class 4-6-2 no.60163 "Tornado" make its first public trips on the Great Central Railway. Needless to say, all the trains were packed to capacity!
On 28th/29th June 2008 The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway held its 40th Anniversary Gala. A steam special was run from Stockport to Keighley (which I joined at Meadowhall) hauled by "Black 5" 4-6-0 No.45407.
A collection of photos taken (mostly) in the early 'sixties, of steam on the ex-GC. in the East Midlands.
In steam were: "B1's" 61264 & 1306 "Mayflower"; "K1" 62005; "K4" 61994 "The Great Marquess"; "V2" 4471 "Green Arrow"; "J15" 65462 and "Peckett" 2000.
Out of steam were "Jubilee" 45593 "Kolhapur"; "A2" 60532 "Blue Peter" and ""Director" 506 "Butler-Henderson"
Out of steam were "Jubilee" 45593 "Kolhapur"; "A2" 60532 "Blue Peter" and ""Director" 506 "Butler-Henderson"
On July 25th 2007 I arranged another Annesley locomens' reunion, this time enjoying a Cream Tea or Afternoon Tea on Peak Rail. Complete with "Annesley Dido" headboard and two ex-Annesley men on the footplate, an excellent afternoon was enjoyed by all!
Locos taking part were: Ex-GWR 0-6-0ST no.813 Ex-GWR 4-6-0 "Hall"no.7903 "Foremark Hall" Ex-GWR 2-6-2T no.5542 Ex-SR 4-6-2 "WC" no.34007 "Eddystone" Ex-SDJR 2-8-0 no.88 Ex-LNER "V2" 2-6-2 no.4771 "Green Arrow" Ex-BR "9F" 2-10-0 no.92203 "Black Prince"
On Saturday 5th May 2007 I paid another visit to the preserved GCR at Loughborough. Here is a selection of the photos I took with my Nikon D40.
At 3.35 pm on Thursday 7th May 1964, Stanier Pacific No.46251 "City of Nottingham" arrived on Annesley shed (16B). Two days later she was "off shed" at 6.00 am to work the RCTS "East Midlander" railtour from Nottingham Victoria to Swindon. (1X36 ) driver Eddie Foley and fireman Arthur Gibson worked the train to Woodford.
Peak Rail held their annual "Warring 40's" weekend on August 5th / 6th. Unfortunately, as I was on the footplate in the afternoon, I didn't get to see the actual battle, held in the woods at Rowsley.
On Thursday 17th Sept 2006, I travelled on the Scarborough Spa Express, hauled by "King Arthur" 4-6-0 no.30777 "Sir Lamiel" As there was a six-hour layover in Scarborough, I took a taxi to Pickering, and did a round trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
These photographs were taken on a visit to the Severn Valley Railway's "40's Weekend" on Sunday June 25th 2006.
On 29th May 2006, I had a most enjoyable round trip on the footplate of ex-BR "4MT" 2-6-4T 80098, previously arranged by John, the fireman. This was followed by my first cleaning turn on Saturday June 17th, when I fired "Manor" class 4-6-0 no.7821 "Ditcheat anor" on three round trips.
This collection shows some of the types of steam locomotives that I fired on during my railway career. I have also driven 95% of them.
I have actually fired on all the engines that are pictured in the Annesley / Nottingham area.
I have actually fired on all the engines that are pictured in the Annesley / Nottingham area.
Here we have a selection of photographs featuring the volunteers at Peak Rail, the friendliest Heritage Railway.
For more photos of Peak Rail, go to
http://christopher8062.fotopic.net/c617937.html
For more photos of Peak Rail, go to
http://christopher8062.fotopic.net/c617937.html
These photos were all taken on 22nd August 2005 on a flying visit to Ingrow station on the KWVR.
Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world this 42 mile trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes. It starts near the highest mountain in Britain (Ben Nevis), visits Britain's most westerly mainland railway station (Arisaig), then passes close by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain (Loch Morar), and the shortest river in Britain (River Morar) and finally arrives next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe - Loch Nevis. The train leaves Fort William at 10:20am and returns to Fort William at 4:00pm with an hour and a half in Mallaig. It is a great way to spend the day!
The train does stop en route to Mallaig at the village of Glenfinnan where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745. After crossing the world famous 21 arch Glenfinnan viaduct, which has been used in the Harry Potter movies, and offers wonderful views down Loch Shiel, the train stops at the station giving you time to stretch your legs and visit the Museum in the station buildings.
Beyond are the villages of Lochailort, Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig. On a clear summer's day from Arisaig you can see the "Small Isles" of Rum, Eigg, Muck, Canna and the southern tip of Skye. From there the train passes Morar and the silvery beaches used in the films "Highlander" and "Local Hero"
The final destination is of course Mallaig. Not only an access point to the Isle of Skye with the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry but also a thriving fishing community. There is plenty to see and do while in the village and you have plenty of time before the return journey to Fort William
The train does stop en route to Mallaig at the village of Glenfinnan where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745. After crossing the world famous 21 arch Glenfinnan viaduct, which has been used in the Harry Potter movies, and offers wonderful views down Loch Shiel, the train stops at the station giving you time to stretch your legs and visit the Museum in the station buildings.
Beyond are the villages of Lochailort, Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig. On a clear summer's day from Arisaig you can see the "Small Isles" of Rum, Eigg, Muck, Canna and the southern tip of Skye. From there the train passes Morar and the silvery beaches used in the films "Highlander" and "Local Hero"
The final destination is of course Mallaig. Not only an access point to the Isle of Skye with the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry but also a thriving fishing community. There is plenty to see and do while in the village and you have plenty of time before the return journey to Fort William
A selection of photgraphs taken on the friendliest Heritage Railway. I hope to build up a "rogue's gallery" of working members. I have started with the footplate staff, as that is where I spend all my spare time!.....click "INDEX", then scroll down to "PEAK RAIL ROGUES GALLERY"
Ex- Great Western steam. Taken in the summer of 1959 and 1960
