Part three
Parts 1 and 2 were published in Steam World July and August 2023
Steam developments
Within the Railway Executive, Robert Riddles had a favourable team environment in which to develop designs for a range of new steam locomotives of varying power and wheel arrangements though using many standard components. While that development work was progressing, there were several developments affecting motive power. Trials were held with locomotives from their company of origination being worked over the systems of the other former companies. Whilst the ‘mechanicals’ had a ‘field day’ the results of the comparative tests did not produce anything to cause a large-scale redistribution of motive power, though the impressive steaming qualities of the Bulleid light ‘Pacifics’ made for some debate. In 1949, consideration was given to transferring some Bulleid ‘Pacifics’ to the former Great Eastern main line with No. 34059 being sent for trials, but nothing came to fruition.
Elsewhere, the need for a short driving wheelbase, medium power tank engine on the Southern and former LNER routes was met by Fairburn's development of an earlier Stanier 2-6-4T design (BR 42050-42299, 42673-99). One interesting move of motive power occurred in Scotland where three LNER/BR ‘A1’ 4-6-2s (60152, 60160/1) were transferred to work from Glasgow's former LMS mpd. Also, at the northern end of the British mainland, there was a need for replacement power for aged examples from the Highland Railway. Many a spotter on the Western Region must have wondered why pannier tanks Nos. 1646 and 1649 were so elusive, the reason being that they were working from Inverness! Although of ‘old’ design, 1600-69 were built in 1949/50 and, at under 42tons, were ideal for short branch line work. In 1957, the withdrawal of 0-4-4T No. 55053 (with a broken crank axle) as the final Highland Railway locomotive saw No. 1646 moved to Helmsdale for use on the Dornoch branch and, as late as 1962, it was at Perth. Pannier tanks that strayed also included one from the 1924 build (1366-71) which could be found wandering the streets of Weymouth on boat trains to and from the quayside.
The LNER agreed
