Neville Hill Pilots
The number of pilots required for all the ex-NER yards, sidings and the station was far bigger than is generally realised with a total of ten duties. The passenger station and carriage sidings needed three and the main marshalling yard, another three. Four other duties were scattered around smaller yards/sidings and the shed pilot, of course. I shall be assembling a detailed account but meanwhile, here are some illustrations of the loco classes involved, two parts so far:
- Leeds City - Neville Hill Marshalling Yards
Three additions to Neville Hill marshalling yards.
1 - Leeds City
Neville Hill provided vacuum fitted pilots for the ex-LNWR&NER side at Leeds City and this is G5 No 67290 (with Westinghouse pump) at the west end and the earliest BR-period picture I have from Wednesday 10th June 1953. It's carrying BR mixed traffic livery, a 50B shedplate and a full set of pilot lights. The leading coach is a Thompson 52'4" brake, possibly a BT(4) and part of one of the local 3- or 4-sets. Photo: Ralph Thurlow.
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The same G5 No.67290 at around the same time at the west end shunting ex-LNER 61'6" Gresley stock. Author's collection.
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G5 No 67274 seen from the other side at the west end on Thursday 11th October 1956 without a full set of pilot lights but former Class C goods lights, now Code J, the photographer writing on the back that the loco "moves down the through road to dispose of empty stock brought down from FARNLEY carriage sidings". Ralph Thurlow.
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2 - Neville Hill marshalling yards
For a long time, ex-NER 0-6-2 tanks were chosen for the main marshalling yards and during the 1920s and '30s, classes N8 and N10 were employed (but rarely photographed).
This is Worsdell Class U 0-6-2T, LNER N10, No 1132 which served at Neville Hill from before the Grouping until 1938. Author's collection.
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During WW2 the ex-NER 0-6-2Ts were replaced by a large batch of ex-Hull & Barnsley N13s which served until 1956 (and as the last survivors of that company's locos were heavily photographed). They were not vacuum fitted. No 69114 is seen in the yards carrying pilot lights. The early BR crest is not easy to make out. Author's collection.
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Another example of an N13 in the early 1950s, No 69115 in front of the water tower and the west end of the original running shed before it was cut back. The loco looks well coaled up and about to resume pilot duties. Author's collection.
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As use of steam began to draw to a close, the 0-6-2Ts were replaced by tender locos. For the next half a dozen years J39 0-6-0s were used, until they were withdrawn en bloc. This is No 64933 in 1962. Photo: Steve Banks.
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The last few years of steam saw Q6 Class 0-8-0s taking over, this example at Neville Hill East being No 63426. They would be replaced by diesels to Class 08. Photo: author's collection.
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Related links
Neville Hill engine shed is here.
