Saturday 10th June 1961: Tonbridge

I'm working through my surviving old photos and trying to get some details where these are missing.

One day when I have no notes, only memories and a few photos, (I think!), is Saturday 10th June 1961. The last Saturday of main line steam in Kent.

I was on Tonbridge station platform for quite a while that day. Sadly only with a Brownie 127. So any photos I have are rather basic!

For certain I know that 30165 worked in from the East. I have two photos that seem to indicate it was at least coupled to a Schools Class when at Tonbridge. I have a shot looking into the cab of 30165, and a shot looking back at the coupled up Schools. But the loco crew have obscured the number.

I'd love to know what working that was on. And which Schools class it was. It was possibly a railtour, but is not mentioned on Six Bells Junction. Whereas the main tour that ran the next day, 11th June, is mentioned there.

I also have a photo of D1 class 4-4-0 31739 on a down train on which I wrote, (on the back), Tonbridge 10th June 1961.

Plus a photo of Schools Class 30935 in the down platform. No notes on that one.

Does anyone here have any details of what ran in that area that day please? Or know somewhere/someone I can ask that question of again?

Many thanks.

 

I think you mean 31065 not 30165. There was no engine numbered 30165 according to my 1951 Locoshed Book. 31065 is/was an 0-6-0 tender engine, isn't it the O1 now preserved on the Bluebell Railway?

 

My error! Thanks for pointing it out.

Yes, it was 31065, the O1 0-6-0 that is now on the Bluebell Railway. It worked part of a special train on the 11th June 1961. And it took me by surprise at Tonbridge on the 10th June, just appearing from under the road bridge at the East end of the station.

 

Hallo Bryan

I think that the answer you want is on Page 523 of the current edition (October) of the Railway Bylines magazine. The magazine has a small photo feature on the last 2 days of the Hawkhurst branch which featured 31065 on 11th June. It mentions that 31065 had come from Dover to Tonbridge on Sat 10th June double headed with 30934 'St Lawrence'.

Hope that answers that query.

best regards

Barry