Steamy scenes at the station
WE celebrate the steam age with these photographs from the Bugle collection that were taken at New Street Station, Birmingham, in the years either side of the Second World War.
The top photograph is the older of the two, taken on Thursday, March 3, 1938. It is a shame this picture is black and white, as it does not do full justice to the crimson lake livery of this locomotive, number 5606 Falkland Islands.
One of the Jubilee Class designed by William Stanier for the LMS, this particular loco was built at the North British Locomotive Company works in Glasgow and first entered service in April 1935. In all 191 were built and they were named for territories of the British Empire and later British naval commanders and warships.
On May 11, 1948, 5606 Falklands Islands was used to haul the royal train from London Euston to Birmingham – King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were visiting the British Industries Fair in the city.
In May 1949 the loco was renumbered as 45606, in line with British Rail’s numbering policy. It was withdrawn from service in June 1964 and scrapped the following February.
Our second photograph was taken on Saturday, July 8, 1950, and shows an older locomotive – number 58928, which that day was working as the station pilot, shunting stock around the platforms.
This was a Coal Tank engine, designed by F.W. Webb for the London and North Western Railway and was built at the Crewe works in September 1888. Originally numbered 1068, it became 7803 under the LMS and finally 58928 under British Rail in 1949.
This old loco did not survive much longer in service and was withdrawn in January 1951 and scrapped soon after.