FROM THE TALES OF 'CHASING STEAM'
ON THIS DAY FIFTY YEARS AGO TODAY
1X82 -'BIRKENHEAD FLYER' & 1X83 - 'THE ZULU' - SATURDAY 4th MARCH 1967
To commemorate the last through workings between Paddington and Birkenhead Ian Allan arranged two special trains both being hauled by preserved GWR Castle Class 4-6-0's.
The 'Birkenhead Flyer' was diesel hauled to and from Paddington to Didcot. At Didcot 4079 Pendennis Castle took over for the run to Chester (General) and return.
'The Zulu' was diesel hauled to and from Paddington to Banbury. At Banbury 7029 Clun Castle took over for the run to Chester (General) and return.
Both trains continued on to Birkenhead (Woodside) and return hauled by BR Class 5 4-6-0's.
I was booked to travel on 'The Zulu' but instead of taking the easy option of catching the train at Banbury I made the decision to start my journey from Paddington as this would be the first and only time I would traverse the entire route in one journey - 'better late than never.'
My journey commenced from Birmingham (Snow Hill) on the 1.00am (newspaper train) to Paddington via Oxford and Didcot hauled by Brush Type 4 No. D1939. After arrival at Paddington at some God-forsaken hour in the morning I had time to spare before catching 'The Zulu' at 8.40am so I decided to visit 70A Nine Elms. I first visited 70A in August 1961 where ninety-one steam locomotives were on shed a complete contrast to my visit (my last one) on 4th March 1967. The depot was run-down with only twenty 'live' steam engines to be recorded, these being as follows:
SR: West Country/Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2's Nos. 34001 Exeter, 34002 Salisbury, 34008 Padstow, 34015 Exmouth (70E Salisbury), 34037 Clovelly, 34056 Croydon (70E Salisbury), 34060 25 Squadron (70D Eastleigh), 34087 145 Squadron (70D Eastleigh). Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2's Nos. 35007 Aberdeen Commonwealth, 35013 Blue Funnel.
LMS: Class 2 2-6-2T No. 41298.
BR: Class 5 4-6-0's Nos. 73022, 73065, 73155 (70D Eastleigh). Class 4 2-6-4T's Nos. 80133, 80140, 80143, 80154. Class 3 2-6-2T's Nos. 82019, 82029.
Locomotives in store:
SR: West Country 4-6-2's Nos. 34009 Lyme Regis, 34017 Ilfracombe, 34019 Bideford, 34032 Camelford.
BR: Class 5 4-6-0's Nos. 73087 Linette, 73110 The Red Knight.
After departing from Nine Elms I briefly called in at Waterloo station before returning to Paddington. Locos noted at Waterloo were SR West Country Class 4-6-2 No. 34008 Padstow (70A Nine Elms) in charge of an express from Salisbury along with LMS Class 3 2-6-2T No. 41284 and BR Class 4 2-6-4T's Nos. 80012 and 80145 all from Nine Elms and on empty coaching stock workings.
PADDINGTON STATION
Hymeck Type 3 diesel No. D7026 (81A Old Oak Common) - 1X83 'The Zulu' to Banbury.
Birkenhead Ticket📷 Peter Hands collection
Birkenhead Flyer📷 Peter Hands collection
GWR CASTLE CLASS 4-6-0 No. 7029 Clun CastleGWR CASTLE CLASS 4-6-0 No. 7029 Clun Castle storms out of Banbury under clouds of smoke and steam on the first stage of its historical run with 'The Zulu.' Note the photographers standing on or in close proximity to the main up running line - 'health & safety' in 1967 - it hadn't been invented!!! Photograph - Peter Hands
Clun CastleClun Castle speeds through Solihull and the smoke billowing from the double chimney of 7029 enshroudes the closed and lifted tracks and sleepers in what used to be the goods yard. Photograph - Peter Hands
Clun CastleClun Castle after departure from Birmingham (Snow Hill) 7029 is on the upgrade as it approaches Hockley station and its extensive goods yard and facilities. All long since swept away in the name of progress. Photograph - Peter HandsBANBURY STATION
GWR Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 Clun Castle - 1X83 'The Zulu' to Chester.
STEAM LOCOMOTIVES NOTED BETWEEN BIRMINGHAM (SNOW HILL) AND CHESTER
2B OXLEY - passing
LMS: Class 5 4-6-0's Nos. 44805, 44865.
STEAM LOCOMOTIVES IN STORE
LMS: Class 5 4-6-0 No. 45283. Class 2 2-6-0 No. 46428. Class 8F 2-8-0 No. 48180
STEAM LOCOMOTIVES NOTED BETWEEN SHREWSBURY-WREXHAM-CHESTER
LMS: Class 5 4-6-0's Nos. 44897 (6D Shrewsbury), 45042 (6A Chester) - freight, 45116 (6A Chester) - up express, 45130 (6C Croes Newydd). Class 8F 2-8-0's Nos. 48265 (56A Wakefield), 48645 (2E Saltley).
BR: Class 4 4-6-0 No. 75071 (6C Croes Newydd). Class 9F 2-10-0 No. 92026 (8H Birkenhead).
CHESTER (GENERAL) STATION
Clun CastleClun Castle is besieged by 'enthusiasts' - 'spotter's' - 'gricers' - 'call them what you like' - including one or two ladies - after arrival at Chester (General). Photograph - Peter Hands
Clun CastleClun Castle with the simple headboard 'The Zulu' and GWR coat of arms on display 7029 backs its empty stock out of Chester (General) station accompanied by the clicking of camera shutters. Photograph - Peter Hands
GWR Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 4079 Pendennis CastleGWR Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 4079 Pendennis Castle passes beneath an impressive gantry with its plethora of lower quadrant LNWR signals as it arrives at Chester (General) from Didcot. Note the diesel depot on the right of 4079. Photograph - Peter Hands
Pendennis CastlePendennis Castle with its paintwork gleaming 4079 passes the camera and emerges from beneath a road bridge on the approach to the platforms at Chester (General). Photograph - Peter Hands
BR CLASS 5 4-6-0 No. 73035BR CLASS 5 4-6-0 No. 73035 of 9H Patricroft lets off steam prior to departure from Chester (General) to Birkenhead (Woodside) with 1X82. To the left of 73035 is LMS Class 5 4-6-0 No. 44993 from 12A Carlisle (Kingmoor) with an oil tanker train. Photograph - Peter Hands
GWR: Castle Class 4-6-0's No. 7029 Clun Castle, 4079 Pendennis Castle.
LMS: Class 5 4-6-0's Nos. 44690 (10F Rose Grove), 44993 (12A Carlisle - Kingmoor) - oil tanks.
BR: Class 5 4-6-0's Nos. 73026 (9K Bolton) - 1X83 and 73035 (9H Patricroft) - 1X82 both to Birkenhead (Woodside), 73097 (9H Patricroft) - freight, 73141 (9H Patricroft) - freight.
8H BIRKENHEAD
LMS: Class 4 2-6-4T's Nos. 42086, 42587, 42613, 42616, 42647. Class 5 4-6-0's Nos. 45232, 45493 (6D Shrewsbury). Class 8F 2-8-0's Nos. 48107 (9B Stockport), 48316 (9F Heaton Mersey), 48507 (9B Stockport).
WD: Class 8F 2-8-0 No. 90722 (55E Normanton).
BR: Class 9F 2-10-0's Nos. 92021, 92025, 92032, 92047, 92049, 92069, 92084, 92086, 92090, 92094, 92101, 92103, 92106, 92109, 92111, 92133, 92160, 92163, 92203, 92234.
STEAM LOCOMOTIVES IN STORE
LMS: Class 4 2-6-4T's Nos. 42548, 42606. Class 6P5F (Hughes) 2-6-0's Nos. 42727, 42765, 42782, 42859, 42942. Class 3F 0-6-0T's Nos. 47324, 47447, 47533, 47659, 47674.
BR: Class 9F 2-10-0's Nos. 92083, 92085, 92089, 92105, 92107, 92134.
BIRKENHEAD (WOODSIDE) STATION - closed 6.3.67
BR: Class 5 4-6-0 No. 73026 - IX83 to Chester.
STEAM LOCOMOTIVES NOTED BETWEEN BIRKENHEAD AND CHESTER
LMS: Class 5 4-6-0 No. 44730 (8H Birkenhead) - freight, Class 8F 2-8-0 No. 48316 (9F Heaton Mersey) - ex. 8H Birkenhead - light engine.
BIRMINGHAM (SNOW HILL)
After arrival, having had no sleep, I was too dog-tired to continue on to Banbury let alone Paddington and so I took my leave of Clun Castle. It had been a thoroughly enjoyable day behind this splendid locomotive. I also took my leave of the Old Snow Hill (for the last time) where I had spent many a happy hour from the age of ten onwards. From the 6th March 1967 it was all downhill for Snow Hill, but, thankfully, not to extinction. A new station eventually replaced the old one and steam still graces its modern confines from time to time - thankfully.