This fascinating old black and white photograph is from the archives of the Malvern Industrial Archaeology Circle (and is published by courtesy of the Worcester Evening News who own the copyright). Brian Penney states that the photograph was taken during the ASLEF 1955 strike which lasted from 28th May until 14th June.
Some of the locomotives in the photograph are identifiable. These are as follows (from left to right):
Standing outside the 'boiler washout' or 'goods' shed:
First Row: Collett 2251 class 0-6-0 tender engine No.2203 (a visitor from Bristol); Standard 2-6-0 tender engine No.78008 (a Worcester engine from new in 1953 until transferred early in 1962).
Second Row: Collett 5700 class 0-6-0 pannier tank No.4625 (a Worcester engine until 1961); the next pannier tank is unidentified; finally on this line is another Standard 2-6-0 tender engine but also unidentified.
Third Row: Churchward 2800 class 2-8-0 tender engine (not identified); R.O.D. (Railway Operating Division) 2-8-0 tender engine (designed by Robinson of the G.C.R.) No.3040 (of Pontypool Road shed and withdrawn in the summer of 1956).
Sidings:
First Row: Collett 'Castle' class 4-6-0 tender engine No.7013 'Bristol Castle' (a visitor from Old Oak Common but later based at Worcester); Another 'Castle' class No.5081 'Lockheed-Hudson' (originally called 'Penrice Castle' but one of a group later named after famous World War Two airplanes) a Worcester engine from 1955 until 1960; Collett 5700 class 0-6-0 pannier tank No.7707 (a Worcester engine from June 1955); the next engine is instantly recognisable as the unique 1600 class pannier tank No.1661 with spark arresting chimney; then follows another 2251 class 0-6-0 tender engine, a modern 9400 class 0-6-0 pannier tank engine; at the end of the line are four more engines.
Second row: A 9400 class pannier tank engine; A 2251 class 0-6-0 tender engine; a 5700 class 0-6-0 pannier tank engine; a Collett 2-6-2 tank engine; a Standard 2-8-0 tender engine; two Churchward 4300 class 2-6-0 tender engines and one other engine.
Third row: Two Collett 5800 class 0-4-2 tank engines; a 9400 class pannier tank engine; a 5700 class pannier tank engine and five unidentified engines.
Standing outside the three road 'running' or 'passenger' shed:
First row: Collett 1400 class 0-4-2 tank engine No.1401 (of Gloucester shed and star of the Ealing Studios film 'The Titfield Thunderbolt'); two unidentified Collett 2-6-2 tank engines; a tender engine in the shed and another outside the other end of the shed.
Second Row: Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 tender locomotive No.43036 (a visitor from Saltley shed in Birmingham); a 4300 class 2-6-0 tender engine and a 9400 class pannier tank engine.
Third row: 'Castle' class 4-6-0 tender engine No.5086 'Viscount Horne' (from Shrewsbury shed) and another tender engine partly hidden inside the engine shed.
Many thanks to Stan Knight, a long time railwayman of the Great Western has provided the following information:
"It was normal at a weekend to bring the engines home for evaluation for either repair or service, or indeed just to top up ready for the Monday rush. The two men in the foreground are, on the left, George Francis, known as “Flannel”, who was a points oiler and his mate and lookout, Ash (surname unknown), who came from a family where all the boys were named after trees! "
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