Castle spotting

Following new-build BR ‘3MT’ tank No. 82045’s starring role at The Greatest Gathering, former Southern Region fireman DAVE WILSON explores the history of the often-overlooked ‘Standard 3s’ and recalls his encounters with the 262Ts in BR days.

To the uninitiated, the ‘Y7’ 040T looks like a bit of a dockside lightweight… but they became regulars on passenger work, some of the longest lived ex-main line locomotives in industry, and even wartime heroes, as ALAN REET reveals.

ABOVE: On June 2, 1980, 20066 hauls a coal train from Markam Colliery formed of mineral wagons and hoppers at Barrow Hill, having just come off the line from Hall Lane Junction and Seymour Junction. C

Overhauls, restorations and running notes

When new, D5300-06 were just seven of the original pilot scheme batch of 20 BRCW Type 2s, what we know as Class 26s. They started life working passenger trains in England on the GN lines out of King’s

D3265 – Llangollen: Work has continued on the overhaul of the Class 08 based in North Wales, with a start made on looking at the valves and guides and also pressure testing of the block itself. Firstl