Sleeper to Birkenhead.

[The Crab]

Today I recall with some incredulity that I used to see the Paddington - Birkenhead sleeper in Woodside station. I can't remember what the load was in terms of sleepers and day coaches. Thinking of the mid sixties, can anyone provide any information?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Today I recall with some incredulity that I used to see the Paddington - Birkenhead sleeper in Woodside station. I can't remember what the load was in terms of sleepers and day coaches. Thinking of the mid sixties, can anyone provide any information?

Presumably must have been before Birkenhead Woodside station closed in late 1967.

 

[The Crab]

Presumably must have been before Birkenhead Woodside station closed in late 1967.

The Paddingtons finished in March '67.

 

[30907]

There is loads of information on train formations on this site, but only accessible to members: https://brcoachingstock.groups.io/g/main

 

[Taunton]

Usually there were just a few coaches through from Birkenhead (although including the sleeper). Further stock was added by the main train loco when it reversed at Chester. Woodside station had surprisingly short platforms before the tunnel.

 

[The Crab]

Usually there were just a few coaches through from Birkenhead (although including the sleeper). Further stock was added by the main train loco when it reversed at Chester. Woodside station had surprisingly short platforms before the tunnel.

So there ws only one sleeper? And then something like BSK+CK+3SK?

 

[Taunton]

If that would all fit in the platform. In final years most services on this section were hauled by LMS 2-6-4T tanks, but an occasional variant, sir, would be one of your namesakes!

 

[The Crab]

If that would all fit in the platform. In final years most services on this section were hauled by LMS 2-6-4T tanks, but an occasional variant, sir, would be one of your namesakes!

No problem with 6!

 

[Bevan Price]

Usually there were just a few coaches through from Birkenhead (although including the sleeper). Further stock was added by the main train loco when it reversed at Chester. Woodside station had surprisingly short platforms before the tunnel.

It was unusual to add (or detach) stock at Chester; there was just a reversal in a bay platform. Usually, extra stock only ran south of Wolverhampton Low Level. I never saw the Birkenhead sleeper, but the daytime Paddington services had often been 8 coaches , later reduced to 6 coaches by the 1960s. Motive power had usually been provided by Birkenhead, and the ex-LMSR & GWR depots at Chester, including GW 41xx 2-6-2 tanks, until they were replaced by BR 3MT (82xxx) 2-6-2 tanls. As in Post#7, LMS 2-6-4 tanks were common, along with their BR equivalent (80xxx), and both Crab & Stanier 2-6-0s. An occasional Class 40 reached Woodside in the final years of these services.

 

[The Conductor]

Today I recall with some incredulity that I used to see the Paddington - Birkenhead sleeper in Woodside station. I can't remember what the load was in terms of sleepers and day coaches. Thinking of the mid sixties, can anyone provide any information?

In the winter 1965-66 timetable this was the formation-
00 I5 Paddington-birkenhead calling
Readlng, Oxford, Banbury, Leamington Spa,
Birminghom (S.H.). Wolverhampton, Cosford(MO- for returning airmen), Wel
lington. Shrewsbury. Gobowen, Chirk, Ruabon,
Wrexham, Chester. Rock Ferry and Birkenhead.

On Mondays;

Siphon "G" (1002 or 2060) +BSK+SLCT+CK+2SK+BG Birkenhead

BSK +CK +BSK Wolverhampton.

On other days:


BG (141,303 or 319)-ie Hawksworth ones for Birkenhaead; + GUV+ GUV (Parcels Post)Shrewsbury:+ Siphon "G" (Parcels
Post) for Chester+Siphon "G" (Parcel post)
(1002 or 2060) +SlCT+CK+ 2SK+BSK+BG all for Birkenhead.

Truly a different age!

 

[The Crab]

In the winter 1965-66 timetable this was the formation-
00 I5 Paddington-birkenhead calling
Readlng, Oxford, Banbury, Leamington Spa,
Birminghom (S.H.). Wolverhampton, Cosford(MO- for returning airmen), Wel
lington. Shrewsbury. Gobowen, Chirk, Ruabon,
Wrexham, Chester. Rock Ferry and Birkenhead.

On Mondays;

Siphon "G" (1002 or 2060) +BSK+SLCT+CK+2SK+BG Birkenhead

BSK +CK +BSK Wolverhampton.

On other days:


BG (141,303 or 319)-ie Hawksworth ones for Birkenhaead; + GUV+ GUV (Parcels Post)Shrewsbury:+ Siphon "G" (Parcels
Post) for Chester+Siphon "G" (Parcel post)
(1002 or 2060) +SlCT+CK+ 2SK+BSK+BG all for Birkenhead.

Truly a different age!

Brilliant info! Thank you.