GREAT COLES WOOD HALT

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1:76 micro commission depicting a preserved West Sussex branch, 1961-

Gallery

The Nuthatch Line in preservation, 1961-

ex-SR USA Class No 30064 and crew at rest. The 16T steel mineral wagon, No B227229, will soon be shunted and worked to Bramblehurst

A timeless scene as ex-SR 'Battle of Britain' Class No 34053 'Sir Keith Park' eases through Great Coles Wood.

During the 1950s Bulleid light Pacifics occasionally visited the Nuthatch Line with ramblers' excursions from London, often with an eclectic collection of coaches rarely seen on the Central Section

On a quiet Sunday morning, ex-SR USA Class No 30064 cuts an imposing figure with 'New Van' No S55040

Intentionally work-stained ex-L&SWR B4 Class No 30096 sidles towards Butterbox Bridge whilst working a photo charter

ex-LB&SCR A1X Class No 32655 will forever be associated with the Railway Series written by Rev W Awdry - published in November 1963, 'Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine' was the eighteenth title in the series and the first to revolve around a real locomotive.

'Stepney' can be seen here heading a 12T open goods wagon at Great Coles Wood

ex-SR USA Class No 30064, colloquially known as the 'Yankee Tank', forms a demonstration goods at Great Coles Wood

One of the Nuthatch Line's oldest items of rolling stock, the ex-L&SWR 'Road Van' was predominantly used on local goods trains accommodating smaller consignments at platform level that could easily be stowed with the guard.

No DS 54538 was purchased from BR in the early 1970s and is of local interest having been latterly allocated to Three Bridges, West Sussex when in departmental use

As snow begins to fall in West Sussex, ex-LB&SCR A1X Class No 32655 is readied for the final Santa Special on Christmas Eve.

Season's greetings from the Nuthatch Line!

ex-L&SWR B4 Class No 30096, as she was known under the BR numbering scheme, passes through Great Coles Wood with a stock move.

In 1891 the L&SWR purchased the Southampton Dock Company, thus obtaining majority control of Southampton, their major source of goods traffic. Requiring a standard shunter to replace the motley collection inherited, ten locomotives were initially built to Order No B4 (hence the class designation). A further fifteen followed, including 'Normandy' in 1893. Constructed at Nine Elms the class were distinguishable by having open sided cabs, carrying names of cross channel ports and often running without numbers

ex-LB&SCR A1X Class No 32655 simmers at Great Coles Wood whilst her fireman is photographed deep in conversation

In the heart of the Weald ex-SR USA Class No 30064 emerges from under Butterbox Bridge.

Van trains were not an uncommon sight on the Nuthatch Line, albeit with different motive power, typically delivering fertiliser to local farmers and landowners

Sold by BR in December 1963 to Corrall and Associated Companies, ex-L&SWR B4 Class No 30096 became 'Corrall Queen', residing at Dibles Wharf, Northam. She was purchased for preservation in 1972 for the princely sum of £1,000 and transferred by road to the Nuthatch Line

Easily recognisable due to the short raised section of roof, the ex-SE&CR Birdcage was once a familiar sight throughout Sussex running as part of fixed sets.

Here ex-SR USA Class No 30064 is pictured hauling brake third No S3428S towards Gulledge Brook

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we will remember them

A quintessential rural scene as ex-LB&SCR A1X Class No 32655 passes through Great Coles Wood with a demonstration pick up goods

ex-SR USA Class No 30064 shunts Great Coles Wood as the guard watches on

Purchased for preservation by the B4 Locomotive Society in December 1972, Great Coles Wood is a far cry from Southampton Docks for ex-L&SWR B4 Class No 30096

An autumnal morning at Great Coles Wood as a fireman turns to his billy can for solace

The Nuthatch Line's PLV, predominantly used for storage by the Signal and Telegraph Department, forms part of the train behind ex-SR USA Class No 30064

With Great Coles Wood Farm in the distance, ex-L&SWR B4 Class No 30096 propels ex-SECR Box Van No 45374

SR Q1 Class No C1 exerts little effort as she heads south through the Sussex countryside with a goods train

An often seen view of Great Coles Wood with locomotives captured between stock movements. Here ex-SR USA Class No 30064 shunts planked van No 65636.

Due to the isolated nature of the siding, it was utilised heavily during the Second World War with unused passenger stock and trainloads of military equipment stored away from prying eyes and bombs falling on the cities

Commissioned by the Ministry of Supply specifically for the transport of Sherman tanks, the 50T Warwell wagon proved invaluable in the build-up to Operation Overlord moving tanks from storage in preparation for shipment to Normandy.

Despite the 'Big Four' using them in general traffic in peacetime, few survived to be preserved - No MS. 76 is seen at Great Coles Wood following restoration

ex-LB&SCR A1X Class No 32655 edges towards Class A tank wagon No 852 at Great Coles Wood.

With No 32655 carrying the livery worn during spells on the Hayling Island branch and Kent & East Sussex Railway during the 1950s, the scene could be mistaken for that of seventy years previous

ex-L&SWR B4 Class No 30096 disturbs the peace as she clanks through Great Coles Wood with a rake of mixed SR vehicles

Last Updated: 30 September 2022

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