Solved WWW No. 194 – Negative Number. 26931

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This is a rare occurrence where conflicting answers have been presented to the Editor as to who took the photograph that was published as WWW 194.
Both answers confirm the location as Heapey Sidings near Chorley. I suspect there are in fact two (and most likely more) very similar photographs in existence of this particular line up of static locomotives. I have included both answers, rather than editorially merging them, as although the actual negative in the SPC archive is probably the Camwell original, the two answers provide complimentary information. Web Manager/Editor.

Answer No 1 (From Keith Greenwood)

The location is the Ministry of Supply siding between Heapey and Brinscall stations between Chorley and Blackburn, Lancashire. This was one of a number of dumps of withdrawn locomotives established in the late 1950s, often in rather remote locations, Badnall Wharf and Over & Wharton being others.
Locomotives seen include 51512, 51423, 52216, 51415, 52268, 51457, 50647, 51404 52237, 43890, 51546, 50712, 43984, 51316 and 40178.
As will be seen from the locomotive numbers and reference to an Ian Allan ABC (or similar publication) the majority of the locomotives are former Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway 0-6-0 and 0-6-0ST types. Further reference to publications shows that the majority were withdrawn by March 1959. The date of the photograph is circa June 1959 thus the locomotives are probably stored awaiting scraping. The photograph is by W.A. Camwell.
This answer incorporate information supplied by Alan Brackenbury, Graham Stacey Nigel Mundy and R. Wood which is acknowledged with thanks.

Answer No 2

The photograph was taken by a gentleman called Hodgson, possibly Jim Hodgson, who lived in Bolton. A copy was sent to Richard Greenwood by his son, Dave, who lives in Australia. It was taken at Heapey sidings north east of Chorley (map ref SD613201) which were the exchange sidings with the adjacent Royal Ordnance Factory. The sidings were used for storage of locomotives awaiting scrapping, mainly at the central wagon works at Ince near Wigan. The photo was most likely taken in summer 1959 as the first two locos in the line, 51423 and 51512, were withdrawn in July and December 1958 respectively, yet the foliage indicates a late spring or summer environment. The line from Chorley to Brinscall and Withnell ran in a cutting behind the fence that can be seen at the rear of the locomotives.

Apparently, at the time that the photo was taken, a rumour was around that a strategic reserve of locomotives was stored at Heapey sidings, but with most of the locos towards 60 or 70 years old, this was hardly the case.

I am indebted to various members of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Society, in particular Noel Coates, Nigel Thornley and Richard Greenwood, for assisting me in locating and dating thispicture..

From Peter R Wood (Member SLS & Lancashire & Yorkshire Rly Society)

Readers who can provide any additional details about the above picture should e-mail: slsphotocollect@btinternet.com or write to K. Greenwood, Bradstones, Charlton Road, Holcombe, Bath, Somerset, BA3 5ER.