YORK

There are locations on the ECML where more photographs are in my collection. York is one of these, and so a separate page has been created.

York station is a thing of beauty, both inside and out. Built on a curve, it must have been a hellish structure to design and construct. Here is a view from 1967. The through lines have since been removed.

Everything seemed dismal in early 1963. GB had endured the coldest winter in living memory, and Beeching was about to savage the railways; in favour of the private car. Steam was being rundown as fast as BR could manage. Here A4 pacific 60016 ‘Silver King’ heads a down express at York on February 22nd 1963.

A few years earlier, the outlook seemed much brighter. If you had told spotters in 1960 that in 8 years time every single BR steam locomotive would have been withdrawn and heading for the scrap yard, most would have laughed in your face. Here is 60048 ‘Doncaster’ arriving at York from the north with an express passenger train.

Seen in York roundhouse during 1965, standard 2-6-0 77012 rests between duties.

In the late 1960s and 70s, Deltic were the express passenger locomotives. Here 55022 ‘Royal Scots Grey’ waits to leave York for Kings Cross in 1977. This locomotive had originally been the first of the class D9000; but with TOPS computers not liking zero numbers, was renumbered as the last of the class.

Almost ten years earlier and Deltics were still hauling Mk1 stock (although an early Mk2 FO may be the second vehicle). D9016 ‘Gordon Highlander’ passes York in 1968. At that time 1A23 was the up Flying Scotsman, but as the locomotive is not carrying the Winged Thistle board, the photograph may well have been taken on a Sunday.

I have posted this photo on another site some time back; but I think it deserves a second outing. 9F 2-10-0 is seen in York shed yard in 1966 together with D5098 and a number of Brush type 4s, including D1773. Some doubt was expressed concerning the accuracy of the date, because D1773 has the later radiator shutters, but this was the locomotive selected for engine modifications in February 1966, and the old three panel grilles were replaced at the same time.

Former NER 6-wheel inspection saloon E900270E is seen at York circa 1962. Allegedly, this vehicle was used by Sir Vincent Raven. I do not know where the carriage resides now, although it spent the latter part of the 1960s at the KWVR. I hope it is now preserved in York museum.

04/7 2-8-0 63678 is engaged in shunting locomotives around York shed yard in February 1963. Signs of the harsh winter snow are visible around the ballast, but the worst of the weather was over by this time.

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