Built in 1956, 73156 is the only surviving B.R. Standard locomotive that was constructed Doncaster Works. For much of her brief life in BR sevice, ‘156’ was allocated to ex Great Central depots, initially Neasden in December 1956. She graduated to the North West later on via several ex G.W.R. sheds in the West Midlands by then under L.M.R. control, finally being withdrawn from service whilst at Bolton MPD in November 1967. Accumulated mileage by then was approx 325,000. During her eleven years of service on British Railways our loco was based at the following depots:
- Withdrawn from service at Bolton 24th October 1967.
- Despatched to Barry scrapyard late January 1968.
- Rescued for preservation ex Barry 6th October 1986.
| Depot | Code | Period |
| Neasden – (delivered new) | 34E | Dec’56 – Apr’58 |
| Sheffield Millhouses | 41C | Apr’58 – Jan’59 |
| Sheffield Grimesthorpe | 41B | Jan’59 – Sep’60 |
| Derby | 17A | part of Sep’60 |
| Neasden (new LMR code) | 14D | Sep’60 – Jun’62 |
| Leicester G.C. | 15E | Jun’62 – Mar’63 |
| Woodford Halse | 2F | Mar’63 – May’63 |
| Cricklewood | 14A | May’63 – Oct’64 |
| Leamington Spa | 2L | Oct’64 – Jun’65 |
| Tyseley | 2A | Jun’65 – Apr’66 |
Known workings hauled by 73156
In the late 1950s 73156 often worked such express passenger trains as ‘The Master Cutler’ (London Marylebone – Sheffield Victoria) then more mixed traffic and some periodic excursion work. Latterly freight was more predominant. The main reason specified for 73156 being withdrawn from B.R. service was severe wasting of tender plating. The loco was eventually purchased for scrap by Woodham Brothers of Barry, South Wales, arriving at their yard in February 1968.
10/05/58 | ? | Leeds – St. Pancras express. |
13/06/58 | 08.05 | Birmingham – Newcastle (piloting 45577 ‘Bengal’). |
05/07/58 | 08.30 | Cardiff – Newcastle (piloted by 40511). |
09/04/59 | 14.25 | Somers Town (London) – Rotherham Masborough fitted goods. |
05/09/59 | 08.40 | Paignton – Nottingham Midland. |
12/08/60 | 08.05 | Birmingham – Newcastle (piloting 45612 ‘Jamaica’). |
22/07/61 | 16.25 | Marylebone – Nottingham Victoria. |
02/06/64 | 14.38 | Marylebone – Nottingham Victoria. |
13/06/64 | ? | Nottingham Victoria – Neasden empty vans, 3B21. |
25/07/64 | 09.55 | Leeds – Poole. |
25/07/64 | 15.02 | Portsmouth – Sheffield Victoria. |
28/06/65 | 07.38 | Leamington Spa – Birmingham Snow Hill. |
06/08/65 | 17.35 | Birmingham Snow Hill – Lapworth. |
30/08/65 | 09.40 | Birmingham Snow Hill – Hereford day excursion. |
17/06/66 | ? | Westhoughton & ‘Passenger’ shunt (first duty at Bolton – 14.20 off shed). |
02/07/66 | 08.05 | ** Castleford Central – Blackpool North. |
11/11/66 | 20.40 | Bolton Rose Hill – Hull fitted goods. |
14/02/67 | 14.50 | Horwich – Moston goods. |
14/02/67 | – – – | Dragged failed dmu (20.40 Manchester – Blackpool) from just north of Clifton Jc. to Bolton. |
21/04/67 | 19.50 | Bolton Rose Hill – Moston goods. |
21/04/67 | 22.30 | Ancoats – Heysham fitted goods. |
03/07/67 | 14.12 | Kearsley – Farington goods. |
04/09/67 | 17.55 | Halifax – Bolton parcels. |
17/11/67 | 17.45 | Colne – Stockport parcels. (Last recorded work of loco in service) |
** Engine strayed from Bolton duties.
NB: Many of the above were not worked throughout by 73156.
Shopping details for 73156
Works | Work Undertaken | From | To |
Doncaster | Heavy Intermediate | 03 Feb’59 | 19 Mar’59 |
Doncaster | Light Casual | 14 Nov’59 | 01 Dec’59 |
Derby | General (Received boiler 1498. Original boiler 1781 fitted to loco 73158) | 31 Oct’61 | 15 Dec’61 |
Derby | Heavy Casual | 31 Jan’63 | 22 Feb’63 |
Cowlairs | Heavy Casual (Boiler 1171 ex. Loco 73059 fitted to 73156. Boiler 1498 removed for scrap) | 27 May’65 | 08 Jun’65 |
Tyseley | Tyre turning | 07 Apr’67 | 11 Apr’67 |
The main mechanical reasons for 73156’s withdrawal were a severe wasting of the tender plating, a scored LH cylinder bore, coupled wheels rubbing the frame and the state of the tyres.
For Information please contact Ian Bartlett on 01772 620115