Beckton Gas Works

I have added a collection of photos taken in 1952 at Becktons Gas works
Can anybody help me out with loco details




https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Industrial-Railways/Becton-Gas-Works/i-25Z6dsN

Beckton Gas Works - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years



https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Industrial-Railways/Becton-Gas-Works/i-jR3bQVz

Beckton Gas Works - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years




https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Industrial-Railways/Becton-Gas-Works/i-8MJJPfz

Beckton Gas Works - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years





https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Industrial-Railways/Becton-Gas-Works/i-5S75PtX

Beckton Gas Works - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years




https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Industrial-Railways/Becton-Gas-Works/i-7XP927M/A


Beckton Gas Works - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years


Neil

 

The Beckton system ran as virtually two separate areas - the main gas producing area and the By-Products works. The main gas producing area had a mix of ground and high-level lines, the By-Products works was ground only, and had its own fleet of 15 locos, numbered separately to the main area - some of these were 'fireless' locos. The 269 acre site had 41 miles of track, 9 miles of which formed the high-level lines. The low profile of the locos was to enable them to enter into buildings, particularly the Retort Houses. There were some 50 locos altogether, mostly of 0-4-0T design because of sharp curves. (Info from "Branch Lines around North Woolwich", J E Connor, Middleton Press 2001, ISBN 1 901706 65 6, and "Return to North Woolwich", GE Railway Soc/Passmore Edwards Museum Trust, 1987, ISBN 0 906123 09 7)
Your photos:
No. 8 - no loco info, location is close to the River Thames with one of the collier unloading piers in the background.
No. 12 - possibly built by Neilsons
No. 23 - very similar to No 24, pictured in the Middleton book. The latter was built by Neilsons in 1896 and rebuilt at Becton 1930.
No. 28 - similar to 23? (The GE Railway Soc booklet shows a similar No. 26 built 1897, again by Neilsons.)
No. 40 - nothing in either source to match this one.

 

No.8 - Built by W. G. Bagnall Ltd in 1942, works No. 2658
No. 12 - Built by Neilson & Co. in 1880, works No. 2597. Rebuilt Beckton 1931.
No. 23 - Built by Neilson & Co. in 1892, works No. 4408. Rebuilt Beckton 1929.
No. 28 - Built by Neilson & Co. in 1897, works No. 5230. Rebuilt Beckton 1930.
No. 40 - Built by Hunslet Engine Co. Ltd. in 1919, works No. 1335.

 

Fond memories of nos.1 and 25 charging up and down the demonstration line at Bressingham many moons ago.

 

I don't remember any of these locos featuring in 'full metal jacket'........

 

Beckton gas works stopped producing gas in June 1969, and became derelict before demolition. It was used for a number of films and also a couple of episodes of the TV series "The Professionals" - quite likely other TV programmes as well.

 

Thanks for all the info

Neil

 

I went to the Haywards Heath track this summer, its a really super line with some wonderful locos.

They have a 'Gasworks' loco, but sadly I cant find a photo

Website at https://www.beechhurst-railway.org.uk/welcome.htm

 

I have added a new photo given to me by the daughter of the late John Crockford taken at Becton Gas works in the 1950's

No.32 (early1950s) Beckton Gas Works Manning Wardle 1832 of 1913 scrapped 1955
https://railway-photography.smugmug...comotive-locations/Becton-Gas-Works/i-WZMfzrJ

Neil