45xx 2-6-2t's

The large 5100 (ex 3100) 2-6-2Ts of similar age were withdrawn about the same time. I can't see anyone complaining of a working life of 50 years.

The 5300s did generally last a little longer, all these types mentioned had in many cases been rebuilt with new front ends but it might be noted that no 4 boilers were being built until 1960 (not necessarily for moguls) whereas the last no 5 s were built a decade earlier.

Although there were few actual line closures in the early 50's there was a great reduction in common carrier goods traffic on branch and local lines (however on the otherhand quite a few small 2-6-2Ts were auto fitted for passenger use in South Wales prior to the introduction of DMUs, if it hadn't been for that there would no doubt have been even more withdrawn).