Thursday 30 April 2020

The Humble Panier


The ex-GRW 0-6-0 panier tanks were easily recognisable and found all over the Western Region of BR. We rather overlooked them, with so many named classes operating in the same area and vying more successfully for our attention. There were various numbered sequences of this type of engine, representing both Collett designs from 1929 onwards and Hawksworth versions, which were still being built in 1949, after the GWR had become part of BR.

John Dyer photographed members of the class at various locations across the network, including at Croes Newydd sheds at Wrexham, where I also remember seeing them towards the end of WR steam on 31/12/65. They had previously worked the Brymbo and Minera branch line in the hills around Wrexham and occasionally we saw them there when we were exploring North Wales from home by car. The last example I saw working was hurrying through Chester, light engine, during the following year. Croes Newydd closed completely in 1967.



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