The winter of 1963 was one of the coldest and longest on record. For two months or more it snowed and froze without let‑up with the temperature constantly below freezing. No double‑glazing and central heating in those days – just a hot water bottle to keep you warm at night and in the morning the first task was to scrape away ice from the inside of the bedroom window – happy days.
This photo feature, set mainly in the West Midlands, is dedicated to the many thousands of steam locomotive footplate crews, whom, despite the harshest of harsh conditions, somehow kept our railways running – for that, I salute them.
GWR 5700 Class 0‑6‑0PT No. 3673
GWR 5700 Class 0‑6‑0PT No. 3673, 84E Tyseley, trundles along through the snow‑laden tracks with its mixed bag of motley wagons at the head of a pick‑up freight between Solihull and Widney Manor on 26th January.
Photograph by Peter Hands
GWR 5100 Class 2‑6‑2T No. 4140
Having arrived at Shirley station with its empty stock, GWR 5100 Class 2‑6‑2T No. 4140, 84F Stourbridge, has run round and backed the carriages past the crossover points underneath the bridge before entering platform two with the 8.35am local passenger to Birmingham (Moor Street) on 28th January. No. 4140 was a regular performer on this train.
Photograph by Peter Hands
GWR 5100 Class 2‑6‑2T No. 4172
Taken from the 8.35am from Shirley, again on 28th January, GWR 5100 Class 2‑6‑2T No. 4172, 84E Tyseley, speeds along at Bordesley with a local passenger from Leamington Spa to Birmingham (Snow Hill). In the background is the Camp Hill avoiding line.
Photograph by Peter Hands
GWR Castle Class 4‑6‑0 No. 7012 Barry Castle
Following a fresh fall of snow GWR Castle Class 4‑6‑0 No. 7012 Barry Castle, from 84A Wolverhampton (Stafford Road) speeds the northbound ‘Pines Express’ from Bournemouth to Manchester through Solihull on 2nd February.
Photograph by Peter Hands
LMS Class 8F 2‑8‑0 No. 48101
Solihull station, again on 2nd February. Obviously ex. Works, LMS Class 8F 2‑8‑0 No. 48101, of 21A Saltley, powers a lengthy partially fitted freight through the snow as it heads for Banbury and beyond.
Photograph by Peter Hands
LMS Class 5 4‑6‑0 No. 45104
Another ex. Works locomotive, LMS Class 5 4‑6‑0 No. 45104, an inmate of 26A Newton Heath, sets off from Birmingham (New Street) for the stiff climb through Monument Lane Tunnel with an express for Liverpool/Manchester – 2nd February. Note the fresh snow on the platforms.
Photograph by Peter Hands
GWR Hall Class 4‑6‑0 No. 6930 Aldersey Hall
Birmingham (Snow Hill) is the venue for yet another ex. Works loco, this time in the shape of GWR Hall Class 4‑6‑0 No. 6930 Aldersey Hall, of 84E Tyseley, as it rests between station pilot duties in a bay platform – 2nd February.
Photograph by Peter Hands
GWR Grange Class 4‑6‑0 No. 6811 Cranbourne Grange
The following day, 3rd February, there was yet another blizzard. Having set off from the near‑at‑hand Bordesley up yard GWR Grange Class 4‑6‑0 No. 6811 Cranbourne Grange, from 82B St. Philip’s Marsh, gamely battles the elements with a southbound Class 8 loose‑couple freight at Small Heath & Sparkbrook station.
Photograph by Peter Hands
GWR 5700 Class 0‑6‑0PT No. 9753
Leaking steam, GWR 5700 Class 0‑6‑0PT No. 9753, an 84E Tyseley steed, passes beneath the Streetsbrook Road bridge on the down slow line with a pick‑up goods on 16th February. The lower quadrant in the left of the frame is set in the ‘off position’ for the up main line.
Photograph by Peter Hands
GWR Hall Class 4‑6‑0 No. 4910
A bleak scene at Solihull, again on 16th February. GWR Hall Class 4‑6‑0 No. 4910, from 81E Didcot, rushes through platform One in a flurry of steam on the up main line with a southbound partially fitted freight.
Photograph by Peter Hands
Moving away from the West Midlands we find ourselves at Grantham. The snow might have disappeared from the station but is still lurking on the raised fields in the background. Despite the lack of snow it was bitterly cold on 23rd February.
LNER A4 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 60015 Quicksilver
With the outline of the coaling plant at 34F barely visible in the background, LNER A4 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 60015 Quicksilver, from 34A Kings Cross and almost at the end of its working life, powers through the station with a Kings Cross to Leeds express.
Photograph by Peter Hands
LNER A4 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 60032 Gannet
A vicious and biting wind blows the smoke and steam sideways as LNER A4 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 60032 Gannet, another 34A Kings Cross mount, hurtles towards the station with a Leeds to Kings Cross express. Before the end of 1963 34A and 34F would be closed and common‑a‑garden sights of the likes of 60015 and 60032 to and from Kings Cross became but a memory.
Photograph by Peter Hands
