Bank Hall Locomotive Depot in 1948: two ex-Lancashire & Yorkshire engines outside the smaller through Shed: ex-L&Y 1F 0-6-0T No. 11535, fitted with dumb buffers and swinging spark-arrestor for working in the Docks; behind it is Class 30 6F 0-8-0 No. 12782. (Beyond can be glimpsed an 8F 2-8-0 with the unusual combination of 'M' as well as the BR initial '4' added to its number). Photo: 20 June 1848 by Ben Brooksbank, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.

Recording Locomotive Sightings 1943 - 1968
A generation of enthusiasts recorded the movements of locomotives around the railway system. These records of visits to locomotive depots have been collected and carefully analysed to provide an overall portrait for the period 1943 to 1968. During that period of steam's final years, there was a marked change from the pre-grouping types that still found work at a few depots, to the modern BR designs that worked until the end in 1968. The handling of freight and passenger services was a major undertaking from town and cities, ports, coal mines and factories. All of it traversed the labyrinth of lines that criss-crossed the country. There were numerous 'sheds' spread throughout the length and breadth of the land that provided and serviced the vast army of steam locomotives (20,000 in 1948). Here is just a taste of that history.

Friday 30 December 2016

Ashford Works 1946 - 1954

Fresh from repair at Ashford Works is Maunsell L1 class 4-4-0 1784 on 6th July 1946. 
Photo: Ben Brooksbank Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0.

Ashford Works
Ashford Works was built by the South Eatsern Railway in 1847 and replaced earler workshops at New Cross in London.
On 1 January 1899, the railway formed a working relationship with the London Chatham and Dover Railway . This became
the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR). Between 1850 and 1951, 711 steam and 32 diesel locos were built.
In 1962 all locomotive production and repairs moved to Eastleigh.
AbbreviationsLBSCR - London, Brighton & South Coast RailwayLCDR - London, Chatham & Dover Railway
LSWR - London & South Western RailwaySECR - South Eastern & Chatham RailwayFb - Fairburn
BR - British RailwaysWD - War DepartmentSER - South Eastern Railway
Saturday 6 July 1946total:50
works yard
H 0-4-4T (SECR)R1 0-6-0T (SECR)C 0-6-0 (SECR)E 4-4-0 (SECR)B1 4-4-0 (SER)N 2-6-0 (SECR)
126115211128170012681157145114001817
D3 0-4-4T (LBSCR)A1X 0-6-0T (LBSCR)C2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)L 4-4-0 (SECR)U 2-6-0W 2-6-4T
237423912678252925411774162016321920
2378P 0-6-0T (SECR)Q1 0-6-0L1 4-4-0U1 2-6-0West Country 4-6-2
J 0-6-4T (SECR)1178C61784189621C129Lundy
1596
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)C 0-6-0 (SECR)D 4-4-0 (SECR)B1 4-4-0 (SER)U 2-6-0N 2-6-0 (SECR)
127915321018149814931443163514021833
132710631499D1 4-4-0 (SECR)L 4-4-0 (SECR)U1 2-6-014131853
D3 0-4-4T (LBSCR)C2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)124717351769190418201872
23942525E1 4-4-0 (SECR)L1 4-4-0
O1 0-6-010671778
1007
Thursday 2 January 1947total:41
works yard
H 0-4-4T (SECR)R1 0-6-0T (SECR)D1 4-4-0 (SECR)L1 4-4-0West Country 4-6-2
1269AFD1174AFD1741FAV1756DOV21C130RAM Watersmeet
1307AFDW 2-6-4TC2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)1785BA21C133BAT Chard
R 0-4-4T (LCDR)1911HIT2551NX1786BAN 2-6-0 (SECR)U 2-6-0
1662GIL1921HITO1 0-6-0 (SER)E1 4-4-0 (SECR)1868GIL1626SAL
1048TON1179BAT
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRC2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)O1 0-6-0 (SER)L 4-4-0 (SECR)N 2-6-0 (SECR)
1239AFD2512TWW2442BA1316RAM1780RAM1411BAT
1322AFD2579NOR2450RED1425BAD 4-4-0 (SECR)1867ELH
1522RAME5 0-6-2T (LBSCR2543BTNQ1 0-6-01574GIL1875EXJ
0-6-0 diesel25853BC 0-6-0 (SECR)C2GFDJ 0-6-4T (SECR)N1 2-6-0 (SECR)
D3NOR2588EBN1712BATC28FEL1597AFD1877TON
C39FEL
Thursday 14 August 1947total:55
works yard
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)O1 0-6-0 (SER)L1 4-4-0N 2-6-0 (SECR)
1512DOV2470BTN1481FAV1065GIL1757DOV1831FRA
D3 0-4-4T (LBSCR)2498NORC2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)1370TOND 4-4-0 (SECR)U 2-6-0
2368BTNE5 0-6-2T (LBSCR2448BA1398BA1730HOR1793YEO
2386BTN25723B2549BA1430GILE 4-4-0 (SECR)1797FRA
E6 0-6-2T (LBSCRR1 0-6-0T (SECR)B1 4-4-0 (SER)1175BA1801GFD
2409ELH1147AFD1441DOV WW - withdrawn
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)Q1 0-6-0U 2-6-0E1 4-4-0 (SECR)
1016RAM24843B1112GILC6GFD16139E1511BAT
1530DOV2487GFD1257HITC25ELH1621GFDE 4-4-0 (SECR)
1542BAE5 0-6-2T (LBSCR1270HITC29TON1627BAS1157HOR
1543TON25933B1575BATN 2-6-0 (SECR)1796BM1275BA
D3 0-4-4T (LBSCR)1694BAT1818RED1799GFDL1 4-4-0
2387HORO1 0-6-0 (SER)1821DOV1754DOV
West Country 4-6-21003GIL1828EXJ
21C129EXJ Lundy1369FAV1841EXJ
shed codes3B Three Bridges9E Nine ElmsAFD AshfordBA Bricklayer's ArmsBAS Basingstoke
BAT Stewart's LaneBM BournemouthBTN BrightonDOV DoverEBN EastbourneELH Eastleigh
EXJ Exmouth JunctionFAV FavershamFEL FelthamFRA FrattonGFD GuildfordGIL Gillingham
HIT Hither GreenHOR HorshamNX New Cross GateNOR Norwood Jct.RAM RamsgateRED Redhill
SAL SalisburyTON TonbridgeTWW Tunbridge WellsYEO Yeovil Town
Saturday 24 July 1948total:56
works yard
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)C2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)N 2-6-0 (SECR)D 4-4-0 (SECR)
1177BAT2464HOR1255DOV24413B31404AFD31731TON
1328BA2493NOR1298HIT32543BTN1829ELH1737STL
1518TON2494NHN1687BAR1 0-6-0T (SECR)1851REDL 4-4-0 (SECR)
D3 0-4-4T (LBSCR)2518EBN1717BAT31700TONU 2-6-01773AFD
S2397EBN WR 0-4-4T (LCDR)O1 0-6-0 (SER)1703TON1634BASB4 0-4-0T (LSWR)
1660GIL1388BA W31802GFD30086BAT
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)R1 0-6-0T (SECR)C 0-6-0 (SECR)C2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)N 2-6-0 (SECR)L 4-4-0 (SECR)
1521RAM1010AFD1270HIT2450RED1848SAL1779RAM
R 0-4-4T (LCDR)1340FOL1297BA2521HOR1857RDG1784BA
1667FAV1706BAT1582BATJ 0-6-4T (SECR)1874PLYD 4-4-0 (SECR)
A1X 0-6-0T (LBSCR)E5 0-6-2T (LBSCR1692FAV1599AFDU 2-6-031743TON
2678KESR2571HORQ1 0-6-0W 2-6-4T16169EU 2-6-0
Battle of Britain 4-6-2C30TON1923HIT1624BM31891BTN
34065RAM Hurricane0-6-0 dieselE 4-4-0 (SECR)1893BTN
W - withdrawn2NOR1315BA
Saturday 7 May 1949total:59
works yard
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRO1 0-6-0 (SER)C3 0-6-0 (LBSCR)E1 4-4-0 (SECR)N 2-6-0 (SECR)
31520DOV2463BA1007GIL W2307HOR1163BA W1856EXJ
31533BAE3 0-6-2T (LBSCR1398BA WQ1 0-6-01506BATU 2-6-0
R1 0-6-0T (SECR)2457TON W1439GIL W33036BATE 4-4-0 (SECR)1633BAS
31154FOLC2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)D1 4-4-0 (SECR)31275BAF1 4-4-0 (SECR)
25273B31487FAV1231RDG W
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRN 2-6-0 (SECR)Battle of Britain 4-6-20-6-0 diesels
1307BAT2486BTN1403AFD34068RAM Kenleyunder construction
1310STL324939E1819DOVU 2-6-0D 4-4-0 (SECR)1521515219
E5 0-6-2T (LBSCR24973B1845EXJ16199E31750TON1521615220
24053B2577BTN31875EXJ1798GFDE1 4-4-0 (SECR)1521715221
2590REDC2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)N1 2-6-01799GFD1165BA15218
E3 0-6-2T (LBSCR2446BA1877STLC 0-6-0 (SECR)L 4-4-0 (SECR)
2456TON2537NOR1682GIL31766STLW - withdrawn
shed codes3B Three Bridges9E Nine ElmsAFD AshfordBA Bricklayer's ArmsBAS Basingstoke
BAT Stewart's LaneBM BournemouthBTN BrightonDOV DoverEBN EastbourneELH Eastleigh
EXJ Exmouth JunctionFAV FavershamFOL Folkestone Jct.GFD GuildfordGIL GillinghamHIT Hither Green
HOR HorshamKESR Kent&E. SussexNHN NewhavenNOR Norwood Jct.PLY PlymouthRAM Ramsgate
RDG ReadingRED RedhillSAL SalisburySTL St. LawrenceTON Tonbridge
Saturday 20 May 1950total:38
works yard
D3 0-4-4T (LBSCR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)Q1 0-6-0D1 4-4-0 (SECR)N 2-6-0 (SECR)
3238075D3247075A3101873C3303974D3173674C3181873A
R 0-4-4T (LCDR)J 0-6-4T111273DWD 8F 2-10-0F1 4-4-0 (SECR)3182074C
3167174D3159574A3124474D90756^1231W*U1 2-6-0
3127774D^ awaiting despatch to Motherwell3189975B
150873B* withdrawn from Reading (RDG) in March 1949.
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)Q1 0-6-0D1 4-4-0 (SECR)N 2-6-0 (SECR)
3116174CS250575A3125673DC770B172773E3181673A
3132274A256171A3157373D3302674DL1 4-4-03184272E
3132973AR 0-4-4T (LCDR)C2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)J 0-6-4T (SECR)175774C3187372B
D3 0-4-4T (LBSCR)3165873D3254675C3159674ABR T3 dieselU1 2-6-0
S237874E166573DE6 0-6-2T (LBSCR10201new3190773A
240975C
shed codes70B Feltham71A Eastleigh72B Salisbury72E Barnstaple Jct.73A Stewarts Lane
73B Bricklayers Arms73C Hither Green73D Gillingham73E Faversham74A Ashford74C Dover
74D Tonbridge74E St. Leonards75A Brighton75B Redhill75C Norwood Jct.75D Horsham
Saturday 4 January 1951total:52
works yard
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E3 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)D1 4-4-0 (SECR)E1 4-4-0 (SECR)WD 8F 2-8-0
3126373A3216774D3171973A3173674A W3116073B7859773C
3130574AE5X 0-6-2T (LBSCR0395 0-6-0 (LSWR)E 4-4-0 (SECR)3117973B W9022673B
R 0-4-4T (LCDR)3257675A3057670C W154773B W3151173B W9056473B
3101074A wsE3 0-6-2T (LBSCRQ1 0-6-0L 4-4-0 (SECR)N 2-6-0 (SECR)J 0-6-4T (SECR)
T 0-6-0T (LCDR)3241271A3303774D3177174A3181974C3159774A W
3160470E WF1 4-4-0 (SECR)D 4-4-0 (SECR)U 2-6-03159874A W
ws - works shunter1231W*3147774A W3180070CW - withdrawn
* withdrawn from Reading (RDG) in March 1949.
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)Q1 0-6-0N 2-6-0 (SECR)D1 4-4-0 (SECR)
3127974E3248874D115073C3300370C3140074A3149273D
s132173AE5 0-6-2T (LBSCR3129473B3303274D3141173As173573D
P 0-6-0T (SECR)3258375AC2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)3303674D3182773B0-6-0 diesels
3102774CWD 2-8-03243475A3303774D3183772Aunder construction
9067873C3253975DU1 2-6-03184875B1522615228
3190373B3185372A1522715229
Saturday 6 October 1951total:38
works yard and erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)D1 4-4-0 (SECR)U 2-6-0N 2-6-0 (SECR)
3116474D3250374D3105473C3149473E3163470D3140474A
3152075F3257971A3121974D3150574A3163672B3141473A
3152374D3258175F3149573E3173974D3163973C3181373A
R 0-4-4T (LCDR)E4X 0-6-2T (LBSCR3169573CD 4-4-0 (SECR)3180373C3181573A
3166273D3247875C171174A3157775BU1 2-6-03182174C
3167174DE6 0-6-2T (LBSCRQ1 0-6-0L1 4-4-03189373B3185773C
S 0-6-0ST (SECR)240873B3301871A3175674CWD 2-8-03186975B
168574A W3241573BJ 0-6-4T (SECR)0-6-0 diesel9026773C
W - withdrawn3159674A W15232
shed codes70C Guildford70D Basingstoke70E Reading71A Eastleigh72A Exmouth Junction
73A Stewarts Lane73B Bricklayers Arms73C Hither Green73D Gillingham73E Faversham74A Ashford
74C Dover74D Tonbridge74E St. Leonards75A Brighton75B Redhill75C Norwood Jct.
75D Horsham75F Tunbridge Wells
Saturday 22 March 1952total:41
works yard
P 0-6-0T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRE4X 0-6-2T (LBSCRN 2-6-0 (SECR)L11 4-4-0 (LSWR)
3132374C3249675A3248975C3141073A14871A W41171A W
E1 0-6-0T (LBSCR)3258275FU 2-6-03181774C15771A W43771A W
3211373BE6 0-6-2T (LBSCR3163770A3185573B17071D WD15 4-4-0 (LSWR)
3212873B W240873B3180473C3186975B17271D W3046871A W
R1 0-6-0T (SECR)3241475C
3133774CW - withdrawn
erecting shop
C 0-6-0 (SECR)Q1 0-6-0E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRE3 0-6-2T (LBSCRU 2-6-0N 2-6-0 (SECR)
3124273E3302271A3247075D3216673B3179372C3140973A
3127274D3303174D3249970AL1 4-4-03180771D3181173A
3129373B3303474D3250875A3175974AU1 2-6-03185673C
3151073D3189973C3187573B
Saturday 9 August 1952total:33 + 4
works yard
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E6 0-6-2T (LBSCRBR 4MT 2-6-4TL 4-4-0 (SECR)U 2-6-0N 2-6-0 (SECR)
3152274A3241875C8001575F3176174D3180871D xw3140274A
3123974A xwQ1 0-6-08001675AE1 4-4-0 (SECR)U1 2-6-03182973B
P 0-6-0T (SECR)3301574C xw3150673A3190473A
3132374C xwxw - ex works on shed
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)E1 4-4-0 (SECR)U 2-6-0N 2-6-0 (SECR)
3116474D3246575D3157373D3106773A3161770E3140874A
3119374D3251675E3168773CL 4-4-0 (SECR)3179272C3182074C
3125973EP 0-6-0T (SECR)3171273D3176574DU1 2-6-03186273C
3151274A3155574CQ1 0-6-03178173B3190173A3187073B
3155170A3300770BD1 4-4-0 (SECR)
3124774C
shed codes70A Nine Elms70B Feltham70E Reading71A Eastleigh71D Fratton
72C Yeovil Town73A Stewarts Lane73B Bricklayers Arms73C Hither Green73D Gillingham73E Faversham
74A Ashford74C Dover74D Tonbridge75A Brighton75B Redhill75C Norwood Jct.
75D Horsham75E Three Bridges75F Tunbridge Wells
Saturday 17 January 1953total:40
works yard
D3 0-4-4T (LBSCR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRR1 0-6-0T (SECR)E1 4-4-0 (SECR)T9 4-4-0 (LSWR)D15 4-4-0 (LSWR)
3236575A W3247273B170873E W3101973A3030272B W3046671A W
3237975D W3247575AI3 4-4-2T (LBSCR)D 4-4-0 (SECR)3072571D W3047071A W
R 0-4-4T (LCDR)248575A3209175A Ws157474A
167374C WW - withdrawn
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)C 0-6-0 (SECR)D 4-4-0 (SECR)L1 4-4-0N 2-6-0 (SECR)
3116274E3151073D3107570E3178273B3181273A3185073E
3127974EO1 0-6-0 (SER)D1 4-4-0 (SECR)3178373B3181473A3185873C
3132173A3104874A3150973D3178574A3183672A3185973C
E6 0-6-2T (LBSCRQ1 0-6-0L 4-4-0 (SECR)3178671A3184072A3186575B
3241271A3301771A3177474AP 0-6-0T (SECR)3184772A
3241671A3303974D3102774A
Tuesday 28 July 1953total:36
works yard
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E6 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)D 4-4-0 (SECR)L1 4-4-0U1 2-6-0
3151775F3241775C xw3109073D W3150173D W3175574C xw3189475A
3132774A xwE5 0-6-2T (LBSCR3123473D W3175070E WL 4-4-0 (SECR)3189675A
R 0-4-4T (LCDR)3239970D W3128773DD1 4-4-0 (SECR)3177974B xw3190870A
3165973D Wcl 4MT 2-6-4T (Fb)Z 0-8-0T3149273DW 2-6-4T3190970A
3166373D W4209774A3095374A3191673Cxw - ex works
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRC2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)W 2-6-4TU 2-6-0N 2-6-0 (SECR)
3127674B3249675A3254375C3191775C3179572C3141373A
3153174C3252075EQ1 0-6-03192473C3180170C3182074C
E3 0-6-2T (LBSCR3303474DU1 2-6-03186875B
3245474D3189973A
shed codes70A Nine Elms70C Guildford70D Basingstoke70E Reading71A Eastleigh
71D Fratton72A Exmouth Junction72B Salisbury72C Yeovil Town73A Stewarts Lane73B Bricklayers Arms
73C Hither Green73D Gillingham73E Faversham74A Ashford74B Ramsgate74C Dover
74D Tonbridge74E St. Leonards75A Brighton75B Redhill75C Norwood Jct.75D Horsham
75E Three Bridges75F Tunbridge Wells
Saturday 2nd January 1954
works yard only
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E5 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)W 2-6-4TD1 4-4-0 (SECR)N1 2-6-0 (SECR)
3131975B3258875A W3157873A3192075C3149473E3188073C
3150074AE2 0-6-0T (LBSCR)3169073Ccl 4MT 2-6-4T (Fb)D 4-4-0 (SECR)U1 2-6-0
3154473B3210473AC2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)4210675E3175070E W3189475B
P 0-6-0T (SECR)3255473B3190573A
3132575A3190970A
Monday 26 July 1954total:38 + 4
works yard
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRQ1 0-6-0T9 4-4-0 (LSWR)D 4-4-0 (SECR)U1 2-6-0
3150074A3249475A3303875C xw3028271A Ws149374E W3189975B
3152274A3251275BR1 0-6-0T (SECR)L 4-4-0 (SECR)3172974D W3190173A
E3 0-6-2T (LBSCRE5 0-6-2T (LBSCR3114774A ws3177974BD1 4-4-0 (SECR)K 2-6-0 (LBSCR)
3245873B3258575A W3170474D xwE 4-4-0 (SECR)3124773E xw3234275A
E5X 0-6-2T (LBSCRE6 0-6-2T (LBSCRE2 0-6-0T (LBSCR)3131575B Wxw - ex works on shed
3240175A3241875C3210974C xwws - works shunterW- withdrawn
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E3 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)Q1 0-6-0U1 2-6-0U 2-6-0
3116474D3216775A3105473C3303174D3189273C3161670C
3151274AE4 0-6-2T (LBSCR3126773B3303674DK 2-6-0 (LBSCR)3162371C
3151873D3247473B3158873DW 2-6-4T3235175E3163572B
3154074CL 4-4-0 (SECR)3171573E3191875CN 2-6-0 (SECR)3163972B
3178074B3186675B
Sunday 3 October 1954total:31 + 6
works yard
H 0-4-4T (SECR)E4 0-6-2T (LBSCRE5X 0-6-2T (LBSCRC 0-6-0 (SECR)D 4-4-0 (SECR)L 4-4-0 (SECR)
3116173D3246975D xw3240175A W3168273D xws149370E W3176374D xw
3132974C xw3256675AW 2-6-4T3168473DE 4-4-0 (SECR)L1 4-4-0
3151775F xwE5 0-6-2T (LBSCR3191173CC2X 0-6-0 (LBSCR)3131575B W3175874A xw
3258575A WQ1 0-6-03253575CD15 4-4-0 (LSWR)
xw - ex works on shed3300570C3046470A WW- withdrawn
erecting shop
H 0-4-4T (SECR)C 0-6-0 (SECR)W 2-6-4TD1 4-4-0 (SECR)K 2-6-0 (LBSCR)U 2-6-0
3126574B3108673D3191875C3150973D3234175A3161575B
3130773D3119174C3192373CN 2-6-0 (SECR)3235075E3163672B
3152274A3121874AE1 4-4-0 (SECR)3184772A3235175EU1 2-6-0
E4 0-6-2T (LBSCR3150473AN1 2-6-0 (SECR)3189575A
3250170E3187973C3190173A
shed codes70A Nine Elms70C Guildford70E Reading71A Eastleigh71C Dorchester
72A Exmouth Junction72B Salisbury73A Stewarts Lane73B Bricklayers Arms73C Hither Green73D Gillingham
73E Faversham74A Ashford74B Ramsgate74C Dover74D Tonbridge74E St. Leonards
75A Brighton75B Redhill75C Norwood Jct.75D Horsham75E Three Bridges75F Tunbridge Wells
Updated and revised - October 2021.