Built in 1956, 73156 is the only surviving Doncaster Works constructed B.R. Standard locomotive. For much of her brief life, ‘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to the North West later on via several ex G.W.R. sheds in the West Midlands by then under L.M.R. control, finally being withdrawn from service whilst at Bolton MPD in November 1967.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 milage by the was approx 325,000. During her eleven years of service on British Railways our loco was based at the following depots:

34E	Neasden – (delivered new)	Dec’56* - Apr’58
41C	Sheffield Millhouses	Apr’58 – Jan’59
41B	Sheffield Grimesthorpe	Jan’59 – Sep’60
17A	Derby	part of Sep’60
14D	Neasden (new LMR code)	Sep’60 – Jun’62
15E	Leicester G.C.	Jun’62 – Mar’63
2F	Woodford Halse	Mar’63 – May’63
14A	Cricklewood	May’63 – Oct’64
2L	Leamington Spa	Oct’64 – Jun’65
2A	Tyseley	Jun’65 – Apr’66
9K	Bolton	Apr’66 – Nov’67 *

Weekending dates are given, except * which are actual.

Withdrawn from service at Bolton 24^th October 1967.

Despatched to Barry scrapyard late January 1968.

Rescued for preservation ex Barry 6^th October 1986.

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 The main reason specified for 73156 being withdrawn from B.R. service was severe wasting of tender plating.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. After purchase for preservation by the Bolton Steam Locomotive Co Ltd in November 1985, 73156 was transported to the East Lancashire Railway at Bury where partial restoration work was carried out. Restoration of the loco is now progressing at the Loughborough base of the Great Central Railway, which is indeed appropriate in view of the loco’s allocation and work on the G.C. main line in her earlier days.

KNOWN WORKINGS HEADED BY 73156

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.
02/07/66	?	** Bridlington – Bradford Exchange.
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.

We would be most interested to hear from anyone who has any other details of 73156’s movements in B.R. days.

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