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A bit of History : Last Copy Pit Banker 1968

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by neildimmer, Nov 24, 2014.

  1. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Evening All
    bearing the legend chalked on the smoke box 'Last Copy Pit Banker' 48191 at Rose Grove mpd 11th August 1968
    http://railway-photography.smugmug....ves/8F-Class/8F-Pre-1968/4815148299/i-TwhZ3GK
    Neil
     
    neildimmer, Nov 24, 2014
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  2. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Can confirm it as the last steam banker as it finished duty on Saturday morning 3rd August - I was on the footplate of 48393 which was working a Huncoat - Portsmouth empty wagon train that entered Portsmouth Loop shortly after 48191 had left for Rose Grove and immediate withdrawal.
     
    Fred Kerr, Nov 24, 2014
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  3. ssk2400

    ssk2400 New Member

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    hi is Portsmouth loop near portsmouth mill near todmorden ? does anyone know the history of the mill ?
     
    ssk2400, Nov 25, 2014
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  4. Tiviot Dale

    Tiviot Dale New Member

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    Yes, it isn't far away ... the loop was situated on the east side of the line several hundred yards to the north of Portsmouth level crossing and not far from Copy Pit summit itself. Its former location, today, is marked by the additional arch in Chatham Bridge - a location much favoured by lineside photters. The reservoir that serviced the mill is situated immediately alongside. For further info about the mill itself, go to: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~todmordenandwalsden/portsmouthmill.htm
    An account recently published as a follow-up to the "Steam-The Grand Finale" book (http://www.lostockhallmpd.org.uk/bookstgf.html) records: On the final Saturday of BR steam, Stanier 8F 2-8-0 No 48393 (10F), which, that morning, during the course of working either Rose Grove shed’s No 22 or No 86 Target, had taken a loaded coal train from Burnley or Rose Grove Up Grid to Huncoat Power Station. Upon arrival in the sidings there, working in accordance with ‘Control Orders’, the crew were then asked to take a train of coal empties up to Portsmouth Loop (just beyond Copy Pit summit), the latter to be collected on Monday 5 August for onwards transfer to Healey Mills yard. In some published photographs of the last day specials climbing the bank, these very wagons are clearly seen standing in the loop. Upon completion of this task, No 48393 returned to Rose Grove MPD and was then withdrawn.
     
    Tiviot Dale, Nov 26, 2014
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