2nd November 1963

Stephenson Locomotive Society (Midland Area)
Last Train on the Harborne Branch and Farewell to the Halesowen Branch

Locos Used 46421, 46429 & 46522
Stock Used 6x ex-LMS coaches

Route : 1Z80 throughout

Loco(s) Route
46429 (1) Birmingham New Street - Harborne Jn - Harborne
46522 (2) Harborne - Harborne Jn - Birmingham New Street (3)
46522 Birmingham New Street - Grand Jn - St Andrews Jn - Camp Hill - Kings Norton - Halesowen Jn - Longbridge (3)
46522 (4) Longbridge - Rubery - Halesowen - Old Hill Crossing Loop
46421 (1) (5) Old Hill Crossing Loop - Halesowen - Rubery - Longbridge (3)
46421 (5) (3) Longbridge - Halesowen Jn - Kings Norton - Selly Oak - Birmingham New Street (3)

Note :
(1) 46522 on rear.
(2) 46429 on rear.
(3) The first trailing loco was booked to have been removed at Birmingham New Street on the return from Harborne and another attached/removed at Longbridge before the run to Old Hill. As originally uploaded there was the suggestion that 46429 remained on to a point thought to be adjacent to Longbridge Motor Works where a swap to 46421 took place, but confirmation is required if this is what took place, or if it happened 'as booked'. As originally uploaded the tour was also shown to be top-n-tail through to terminating at Birmingham New Street (which was given as 'on time'), but again this is not 'as booked' as the assist loco was due to be removed at Longbridge on the return from Old Hill.
(4) 46421 on rear.
(5) Some reports suggest 46522 was top-n-tail with 46429 between Old Hill to Longbridge however David Pearson (who left the train at Old Hill) is certain the train arrived at Old Hill with 46522 leading and 46421 already on the rear, suggesting the return leg would logically have been 46421 leading with 46522 on the rear...but confirmation of this is required.

Sources : Colin Mytton, Bob Taylor, David Pearson & Ian Clark (SLS)

Photo Review


46522 approaches Harborne Jn on the way back to Birmingham New Street
(photo: David Pearson)


David Pearson believes this location to have been between Halesowen Jn
& Longbridge station (which was at this time located on the Halesowen line)
& shows 46421 light engine, presumably about to go on the rear of the train?
(photo: David Pearson)


46421 on the rear of the train at Halesowen, this view looking towards Old
Hill (photo: David Pearson)


46522 pauses at Hunnington on the way to Old Hill (photo: David Pearson)


From Andrew Fairholms ticket collection.


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Ian Clark (SLS)/Stephen Bragg/Robert Darlaston)

Location Booked Actual
Birmingham New Street 13.25d 13.25
Harborne Jn 13/30 ?
Harborne 14.02a ~ 14.12d 13.50 ~ 14.12
Harborne Jn 14/45 14/26
Birmingham New Street 14L50 ~ 14L55 14.31 ~ 14.58
Grand Jn 14/58 ?
St Andrews Jn 15/00 ?
Camp Hill 15w04 ~ 15w09 15.07 ~ ??.??
Kings Norton 15/17 ?
Halesowen Jn 15/22 ?
Longbridge 15Lp24a ~ 15Lp34d 15.27 ~ 15.37
Rubery 15p40a ~ 15p50d 15.43 ~ 15.53
Halesowen 16p08a ~ 16p18d 16.08 ~ 16.18
Old Hill Crossing Loop 16.28 ~ 16.45 16.24 ~ 16.32
Halesowen 16/55 16.40 ~ 16.50
Rubery 17/15 17/13
Longbridge 17L18 ~ 17L23 ??.?? ~ 17.22
Halesowen Jn 17/25 ?
Kings Norton 17/30 ?
Church Road Jn 17/36 ?
Birmingham New Street 17.39a ?


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