Ive started the sanding around the turn table roads, this one is the blow down siding! All Stafford Road kings had continues blow down valves fitted as standard as the midlands was a hard water area. The kings would be put on this road after turning for a blow down to clean any build up out of the boiler. This inevitably caught the attention of the red head who would hurl bottles and insults at the crew!! Luckily the valve was on the drivers side so the fireman would be shielded from the missiles but the choice language had to be put up with!! Attached files
Summer 1961, The last year of Britannia allocations on the western. By now a high mileage loco 70019 has lost her shine as was common of Top link Canton engines. 5099 has just backed on to the reception Road having arrived at the terminus with the Capitols United Express. On the left A Wolverhampton Stafford Road King is ready to back to Paddington, Im not sure if she is going to Take the Intercity north or if she arrived on it earlier in the day. One of Old Oaks castles stands waiting on her Road by the signal box to cover for any failures that might occur. This practice of providing a cover locomotive was done away with only a year or two later. On the far right Old Oaks Condensing Pannier 9710 brings a combined passenger and parcels train in. She still had the GWR's famous Shirt-button logo on the tank sides, Not for much longer though as she will soon be heading to Caerphilly works for a heavy General overhaul. Attached files