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Beckton Gas Works

Discussion in 'Photography' started by neildimmer, Dec 24, 2017.

  1. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    I have added a collection of photos taken in 1952 at Becktons Gas works
    Can anybody help me out with loco details




    https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Industrial-Railways/Becton-Gas-Works/i-25Z6dsN
    [​IMG]
    Beckton Gas Works - Railway-Photography
    railway-photography.smugmug.com
    railway photographs from the last 100 years



    https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Industrial-Railways/Becton-Gas-Works/i-jR3bQVz
    [​IMG]
    Beckton Gas Works - Railway-Photography
    railway-photography.smugmug.com
    railway photographs from the last 100 years




    https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Industrial-Railways/Becton-Gas-Works/i-8MJJPfz
    [​IMG]
    Beckton Gas Works - Railway-Photography
    railway-photography.smugmug.com
    railway photographs from the last 100 years





    https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Industrial-Railways/Becton-Gas-Works/i-5S75PtX
    [​IMG]
    Beckton Gas Works - Railway-Photography
    railway-photography.smugmug.com
    railway photographs from the last 100 years




    https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Industrial-Railways/Becton-Gas-Works/i-7XP927M/A
    [​IMG]

    Beckton Gas Works - Railway-Photography
    railway-photography.smugmug.com
    railway photographs from the last 100 years


    Neil
     
    neildimmer, Dec 24, 2017
    #1
  2. John Webb

    John Webb Member

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    The Beckton system ran as virtually two separate areas - the main gas producing area and the By-Products works. The main gas producing area had a mix of ground and high-level lines, the By-Products works was ground only, and had its own fleet of 15 locos, numbered separately to the main area - some of these were 'fireless' locos. The 269 acre site had 41 miles of track, 9 miles of which formed the high-level lines. The low profile of the locos was to enable them to enter into buildings, particularly the Retort Houses. There were some 50 locos altogether, mostly of 0-4-0T design because of sharp curves. (Info from "Branch Lines around North Woolwich", J E Connor, Middleton Press 2001, ISBN 1 901706 65 6, and "Return to North Woolwich", GE Railway Soc/Passmore Edwards Museum Trust, 1987, ISBN 0 906123 09 7)
    Your photos:
    No. 8 - no loco info, location is close to the River Thames with one of the collier unloading piers in the background.
    No. 12 - possibly built by Neilsons
    No. 23 - very similar to No 24, pictured in the Middleton book. The latter was built by Neilsons in 1896 and rebuilt at Becton 1930.
    No. 28 - similar to 23? (The GE Railway Soc booklet shows a similar No. 26 built 1897, again by Neilsons.)
    No. 40 - nothing in either source to match this one.
     
    John Webb, Dec 24, 2017
    #2
  3. Andy Williams

    Andy Williams Member

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    No.8 - Built by W. G. Bagnall Ltd in 1942, works No. 2658
    No. 12 - Built by Neilson & Co. in 1880, works No. 2597. Rebuilt Beckton 1931.
    No. 23 - Built by Neilson & Co. in 1892, works No. 4408. Rebuilt Beckton 1929.
    No. 28 - Built by Neilson & Co. in 1897, works No. 5230. Rebuilt Beckton 1930.
    No. 40 - Built by Hunslet Engine Co. Ltd. in 1919, works No. 1335.
     
    Andy Williams, Dec 24, 2017
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  4. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Fond memories of nos.1 and 25 charging up and down the demonstration line at Bressingham many moons ago.
     
    Spamcan81, Dec 24, 2017
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  5. simon

    simon Resident of Nat Pres

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    I don't remember any of these locos featuring in 'full metal jacket'........
     
    simon, Dec 24, 2017
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    Bean-counter and 5944 like this.
  6. John Webb

    John Webb Member

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    Beckton gas works stopped producing gas in June 1969, and became derelict before demolition. It was used for a number of films and also a couple of episodes of the TV series "The Professionals" - quite likely other TV programmes as well.
     
    John Webb, Dec 25, 2017
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    richards likes this.
  7. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thanks for all the info

    Neil
     
    neildimmer, Dec 25, 2017
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  8. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    johnofwessex, Dec 26, 2017
    #8
  9. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    neildimmer, Nov 10, 2023
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