‘BABY SCOTS’, ‘BRITS’ AND STEAM IN SCOTLAND...
The LMS ‘Patriots’ were also known as ‘Baby Scots’ as they shared their chassis design with the larger ‘Royal Scots’, but fitted with a smaller boiler based on the ‘Claughtons’.
We present a number of scenes of examples at work across the BR system, starting with an unidentified example coming off shed at Hellifield in 1962. No. 45516 The Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment follows on a northbound express and then No. 45537 Private E. Sykes, V.C. is seen on Shap at Scout Green in 1958. Another unnamed ‘Patriot’ departs Wilmslow before yet another one storms through Northenden for Wythenshawe on an express, both in 1956. Finally, No. 45543 Home Guard makes a spectacular departure from Derby, its spiritual home.
To mark the withdrawal of ‘7MT’ No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell, we concentrate on its last days in steam in 1968. We see the engine running over the triangular Derby South Junction in order to head BR’s own ‘Midland Line Centenary Special Railtour’ on June 9. Next, we see the engine at Bolton-le-Sands on May 18 heading the Warwickshire Railway Society’s ‘North Western Steam Tour’. The same train crosses the West Coast Main Line north of Carnforth. Finally, on July 28, No. 70013 is seen topping the bank at Hoghton with the joint Severn Valley Railway Society and Manchester Rail Travel Society’s ‘Farewell to BR Steam’ tour.
Today, the Fort William-Mallaig line is best known for its regular ‘Jacobite’ services. Here we take you back to steam in BR days, starting at Bridge of Orchy where BR Standard ‘5MT’ No. 73109 and ‘Black Five’ No. 44702 call briefly and then set off with a southbound Up express in the summer of 1961. In the same year, another ‘Black Five’ is seen in Glen Falloch on a Down train. Ex-LNER designs also worked the line, including Gresley ‘V3’ tank No. 67625.
Finally, on June 1 1963, ‘J37’ 0-6-0
No. 64632 and ‘D34’ 4-4-0 No. 256 Glen Douglas make their way to Fort William.
Our last views are as it ascends the famous Horseshoe Curve after County March summit. www.unseensteam.co.uk/steam-railway-feature