End of BR steam

AS A signalman at Pyewipe Junction, Lincoln on August 12, 1968 – the day after the 15 Guinea Specials – I was involved in a steam movement.

I was on early turn that day and if memory serves me correctly, control instructed me to put a light engine going to March on the up line into Lincoln instead of over the avoiding line. When the loco came into sight it was, to my surprise, No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell, which was to pick up water in the station. The loco was destined for Bressingham and it was thought it would see a main line no more.

Forty-plus years later when I joined the Great Central Railway as a volunteer, I of course found No. 70013 again at work on a railway. I just had to give it a pat and say ‘nice to see you again!’

Another loco that appeared at my ‘box was Alan Pegler’s No. 4472 Flying Scotsman, which came on a test run at night. It turned on the

West Holmes, Boultham Jct, Pyewipe

Jct triangle to go chimney first back to Doncaster. This replicated a once common move from ER steam days when locos were tested after attention in Doncaster Plant.

Roger Bryant. Grantham

MEL THORLEY SIGN OF THE TIMES: Does anyone know when the big signs at Rugby North Junction and Weaver Junction disappeared? The latter is seen in Mick Langton’s photo on February 29, 1988 as No. 86219 passes with the 1M05/08.10 Glasgow-Euston. 29.02.1988.