History on 45699 Galatea

Has anybody got any information regarding 45699 Galatea when she was in service for the LMS & BR as im trying to work out what sheds she was allocated to when she was working for real before eventual preservation. I already have info that she was allocated to Leeds Holbeck in 1948 and was also shedded at Bristol Barrow Road & Shrewsbury but has anybody got an idea of where she was allocated during her LMS days and other shed allocations before 1948.

 

According to the Irwell 'Book of...' and taken from the Engine History Cards:

Newton Heath 18/4/36 (New)
Millhouses 2/10/37
Derby 4/11/44
Notthingham 12/10/46
Bristol 29/5/48
Shrewsbury 9/61

 

Taken from LMS Jubilees by Thom and Essery
Newton Heath 18/4/36
Millhouses 2/10/37
Derby 4/11/44
Nottingham 12/10/46
Leeds Holbeck 3/11/46
Bristol Barrow Road 29/5/48


Shrewsbury 9/61
Withdrawn 11/64

 

Just in case it is of interest to you, 45699 was involved in a derailment in August 1953 whilst working a Bradford-Bristol express. There is a dramatic aerial photograph on page 38 of "Birmingham-Derby: Portrait of a famous route" by Bob Pixton. Galatea is seen on its side, with a number of derailed coaches behind. The location was between Wilnecote and Kingsbury, north of Birmingham. ( minor casualties only, thankfully)

46118

 

This was the 0928 from Bradford. Later in the day there would be the Devonian which ran from Bradford to Paignton and which, in summer, was always double headed. Usually a Jubilee piloted by a Black 5 or a Compound although I have seen a Black 5 as the train engine, presumably when they had run out of Jubilees! If the Devonian had hunted on this poor bit of track we could have had two locos off the road.

 

Upon withdrawal Galatea was a lost cause until that naughty man David Smith bought it and spent loads of his money to rebuild it and mainline it.

 

I recall that as a Shrewsbury loco she took her turn on the Paddington to Birkenhead trains as far as Chester along with some other ex Barrow Road Jubs, replacing or working alongside some of the ex GWR locos on that service.

 

There's an interesting story in an issue of "Midland Record", recounted by the late Tom King, of a very strong climb of the Lickey by Galatea. Worth a read.