Not what it seems 2

[52D]

I have recently come across this photograph at first glance it looked like one of Tweedmouth sheds ex NER 2-4-2Ts doing a bit of shunting at St Boswells before returning home via Kelso or Duns. Turns out that it is an interloper from the GER working out its days in Scotland. Apparently in 1931/32 the LNER were starting to use N2s on a lot of the 2-4-2T workings and transferred 3 to St Margarets Scotland. Where they were better known for being paired with tenders and used on the Lauder Light Railway. This particular picture was taken a couple of weeks before the start of the war 12/08/1939 it is a freight working of interesting composition to Galashiels. There is a poster advertising Clyde coast services behind the Loco.

[2562]

3 F7's were indeed transferred to scotland, losing their westinghouse gear in the process and fitted with steam brake for engine and vacuum for train use.

Of the 12 locos , only the initial 2 had spectacles that followed the curve of the cab roof as shown. 8300 was withdrawn in August 38 still using Westinghouse brakes whereas 8301 was altered in April 1933.

Andy

[Jingling Geordie]

"Where they were better known for being paired with tenders and used on the Lauder Light Railway. "

I remember seeing on one of the "Railway Roundabout" DVDs , on a lightly laid Scottish Branch Line, a working of this nature . I'll have to go and have a look,

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