V2 Trials on the Midland Main Line

[Pyewipe Junction]

This photo

https://scontent.fcbr2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=656C396C

published on Facebook, shows a V2 being trialled on the Midland Main Line at Wellingborough in May 1958.

Does anyone know about this trial, how long it lasted and how many locos were involved?

[rockinjohn]

Hi all,well a few snippets that relate, when Leicester (GC)&area became part of the London Midland quite often Ex:LNER& Standard types shedded/or failed on the ex GC lines found there way on to Leicester (Midland)MPD(15A from'63) for Washouts&Repairs,& being Borrowed whilst running in /or otherwise, one V2 found its way to Northampton MPD & some mischief maker sending it up to Euston on an up AM Northampton Departure,the trials you mentioned were full Express trains &tried out instead of the Double Heading that was occuring on the Midland @ the time on XL timings & a shortage of capable(express) locos on the Midland lines,outcome unclear, maybe the GN/NER asked for their return,but I do remember a V2 on the clearance tests before the rostering happening.

[60048]

This photo

https://scontent.fcbr2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=656C396C

published on Facebook, shows a V2 being trialled on the Midland Main Line at Wellingborough in May 1958.

Does anyone know about this trial, how long it lasted and how many locos were involved?

Link is no longer available - could you repost please @rockinjohn?

[burnie]

My memories of Leicester workings, both Great Central and Midland was that locos frequently crossed "regions" after the split in '57 when the Eastern Region gave the GC away. As there was no direct link in Leicester between the GC and the Midland, these cross overs usually happened in Nottinghamshire, so it seems most odd that locos from the GC would go the Midland shed in Leicester for "work", most of it went to Annesley, Woodford Halse or Colwick. Once the GC became a "captive branch" between Nottingham and Rugby, then a temporary "chord line" was built connecting the two lines. I witnessed many Eastern Region locos at Leicester Midland as the "holiday" trains from Leicester to Lincolnshire and Norfolk, saw locos using the Midland after the closure of the Belgrave Road station.