Sheds with LMS and LNER Pacifcs

*removed*

 

According to various sources, Peppercorn A2 Nos. 60527 Sun Chariot and 60535 Hornet's Beauty were both withdrawn from there, in mid-1965; No. 60535 even had a yellow restriction stripe added to its cabside.

The last two Thompson A2/3s Nos. 60512 Steady Aim and 60522 Straight Deal were also allocated to Polmadie, around the same time.

 

Taken from BR steam motive power depots by Paul Bolger , Polmadie had an allocation of 3 A2s in 1965

60512
60522
60535

 

Having taken a second look at the piccie I note (1) snow on the ground which suggests the big freeze-up of 1963 and (2) a time of 01:05 which suggests the possibility of either (i) a Stranrear - Newcastle boat service or (ii) the overnight Waverley sleepers to Leeds and St Pancras. Whilst the Gateshead allocation of 60045 suggests a working to Newcastle the wintry conditiuons of 1963 did lead to locos working out of normal diagrams as substitutions were made for frozen diesel locomotives and DMUs hence the possibility of this being a sleeper service to St Pancras.

The Waverley sleepers did have passenger accommodation - my apologies for forgetting that fact especially since I used to travel on this particular train as a child - and the time of 01:05 could agree with the 22:10 departure from Edinburgh Waverley over the 98.5 miles Waverley route thus making this service a possibility with St Margarets providing a loco to replace a Class 45 failed at Haymarket [IIRC Haymarket was an all-diesel depot by 1963 and all steam activity was provided from St Margarets]. Thus 60017 could be right in suggesting the engine was being detached or - possibly - continuing to Leeds where the A3 would either return as diagrammed on the following day's Waverley or returned to Gateshead on a Liverpool - Newcastle service.

 

I've seen pictures of 60512 and 60527 also sporting the yellow stripe. They were sitting withdrawn at the back of Polmadie shed.