RAILWAY CUTTINGS

Waterloo happenings - April 1953 - Battle of Britain Class locomotives Sir Frederick Pile' 21C158 and 'Anti Aircraft Command' 21C149 were officially named in ceremonies at Waterloo Station on April 28. Drummond 0-4-4 tank engine which fell down the lift shaft on April 13, had to be partly dismantled before it could be recovered, as it lay with its wheels uppermost.

Stanier Pacifics not for the SR - May 1964 - plans to transfer up to 11 Stanier Pacifics to the South Western Division have been abandoned, with reasons quoted including clearance problems at Northam Tunnel, Southampton, the box girder Battledown Flyover bridge at Worting Junction, limited water capacities of the Stanier tenders, and availability of spares. The introduction of through working by Plymouth (Laira) and Newton Abbot "Warship" diesels between Exeter and Waterloo will ease the motive power pressures.

Royal Train hiccup in 1958 - "Schools" 4-4-0 30906 failed with cylinder trouble at Vauxhall on August 7 as it was reversing to Waterloo to head the Royal Train to Southampton Docks, being replaced by the Nine Elms 'spare' engine 30907.

Some Locomotive movements - mid 1964 SR Locomotives withdrawn - to July 20 1964 - 31812/21/49/54/6, 33036, 34045/62/73/83.
Warship diesel D829 was seen at Waterloo on a test run on 9th August in anticipation of them being used on West of England services commencing 17th August. Some London area freight services were withdrawn from the start of the Summer timetable, with most of the Q1's being withdrawn and the few survivors being in poor condition. However, Q1 33027 was seen on 1st July at Waterloo on empty stock and pilot workings.

Late 1957 changes - With revised locomotive rosters on the Waterloo - Exeter route after the introduction of new 6.30am from Exeter and 7pm from Waterloo (both booked for Nine Elms Pacifics), the 1pm Waterloo to Exeter is now in the hands of Salisbury shed. The engine's up working is the 7.50am Salisbury, returning to its home depot on the 7.50pm from Exeter.

February/March 1957 - The first group of West Country class rebuilding appears to have been completed with 34014/6, whilst work has started again on the Merchant Navy class with 35002 being the first of the new series of rebuilds. 0-6-0 diesel shunters have been seen working in Clapham carriage sidings.

Customer service - 1950 style "I hope you will find room to record a striking example of courtesy by a British Railways employee. The signalman of my small local station found out where I lived and cycled four miles, after duty on Saturday, to warn me that the train on which I travel to London regularly on Monday mornings was scheduled to leave ten minutes earlier, no preliminary notice of the alteration having been made." (letter to a national newspaper in 1950)