More Barclay fireless memories

I have just received my copy of Steam Railway, issue 555, and was pleasantly surprised to see Mr Bailey’s letter regarding the Barclay fireless locomotive used by the Midland Tar Distillery at Four Ashes.

Like Mr Bailey, I also left school in 1963 and started work. I was employed by British Rail as the goods clerk at Penkridge; this also covered travelling to Four Ashes to deal with the clerical duties arising from the inwards and outwards traffic, which was fairly heavy. There was also some traffic to the continent from a company called Battery Carbons.

I understand that the Barclay, which was new in 1928 (Works No. 1944), arrived at Four Ashes from J&J Colman in 1952.

I well remember the little Barclay working within the MTD premises, the connection from the Up goods loop, which also served as the goods yard line, was protected by trap points adjacent to the MTD gates. The trap points were released by an Annett’s key, obtainable from the signal box.

The incident referred to by Mr Bailey must have been before my time there, as

I cannot recall it. I was made redundant on January 4 1965, so did not see the Barclay again. I understand that it still exists at the Telford Steam Railway.

I would also like to comment on the letter from Mr Hurst regarding the Salop lodging turn to Newton Abbot (Letters, p46). Shrewsbury’s ‘Castles’ did not have a monopoly of the turn and the ‘Counties’ did their share, and there are several photos of 84G ‘Counties’ working to/from Newton Abbot.

Thank you for yet another interesting read. Malcolm John, by email

Ed: The Barclay fireless actually departed Telford in November last year, having been sold to an as-yet undisclosed buyer who plans to return it to operational condition (SR552).