Hereford Locomotive Shed: Engines And Train Workings
by Steve Bartlett /
2018 / English / EPUB
38.2 MB Download
Hereford Locomotive Shed is the first in a series of
in-depth studies to look closely at the changing engine allocations
and operational responsibilities of motive power depots during the
latter days of steam. In Herefords case this was a varied mixture
of main line passenger, freight trip working, branch line
passenger, station pilot duties and yard shunting. Unusually, the
latter remained a steam preserve until months before depot closure
in November 1964\. Not forgotten are the depots small sub-sheds,
which had varying responsibilities over the years, as the district
boundaries changed at Ledbury, Leominster, Ross-on-Wye and Craven
Arms. Their very different duties were inevitably a reflection of a
bygone age and an all too rapidly changing future.
Hereford Locomotive Shed is the first in a series of
in-depth studies to look closely at the changing engine allocations
and operational responsibilities of motive power depots during the
latter days of steam. In Herefords case this was a varied mixture
of main line passenger, freight trip working, branch line
passenger, station pilot duties and yard shunting. Unusually, the
latter remained a steam preserve until months before depot closure
in November 1964\. Not forgotten are the depots small sub-sheds,
which had varying responsibilities over the years, as the district
boundaries changed at Ledbury, Leominster, Ross-on-Wye and Craven
Arms. Their very different duties were inevitably a reflection of a
bygone age and an all too rapidly changing future.
The author personally recorded the Hereford railway scene from the
late 1950s, until depot closure. He made shed visits several times
a week, and at other times observed the ever-changing locomotive
scene from the elevated Bulmers Sidewalk behind the depots coaling
stage. Details carefully kept from those far-off days has proved a
valuable cross reference with present-day research into Herefords
role from official records at The National Archives, Kew, and other
railway research sources.
The author personally recorded the Hereford railway scene from the
late 1950s, until depot closure. He made shed visits several times
a week, and at other times observed the ever-changing locomotive
scene from the elevated Bulmers Sidewalk behind the depots coaling
stage. Details carefully kept from those far-off days has proved a
valuable cross reference with present-day research into Herefords
role from official records at The National Archives, Kew, and other
railway research sources.
Having spent almost forty years working in the industry, the author
is able to sympathetically unravel and interpret the story of this
hardworking mixed traffic depot. Hereford is strategically located
on the North & West route from South Wales and the West of
England to the North West, as well as being an important junction
for Worcester & the West Midlands. Branch lines to Brecon and
Gloucester radiated from this Border Counties railway junction, and
freight trips radiated out to serve the surrounding area. All of
this made Hereford a fascinating rail center and a locomotive shed
worthy of its story for posterity, which is meticulously recorded
in this book.
Having spent almost forty years working in the industry, the author
is able to sympathetically unravel and interpret the story of this
hardworking mixed traffic depot. Hereford is strategically located
on the North & West route from South Wales and the West of
England to the North West, as well as being an important junction
for Worcester & the West Midlands. Branch lines to Brecon and
Gloucester radiated from this Border Counties railway junction, and
freight trips radiated out to serve the surrounding area. All of
this made Hereford a fascinating rail center and a locomotive shed
worthy of its story for posterity, which is meticulously recorded
in this book.
