The Annesley "Dido"

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A rare photo of 67363 and its one coach on the ashpits at Annesley on 21st May 1950

The "Dido"

The Annesley "Dido" was the workmans train that ferried staff between Bulwell Common, Hucknall, Newstead and Annesley. Some trips were down the GN branch, serving Hucknall Town and Newstead, others were on the GC main line, calling at Hucknall Central,Annesley South Platform, and Hollinwell and Annesley.

A 1926 view of the "Dido" resting at Annesley Loco

LNER "D9" 4-4-0 no.6016 was based at Annesley from 8/11/1919 to 31/1/1937

In the early days (at least) for the benefit of the Carriage & Wagon staff, the 7.35 am departure from Bulwell Common was a five-coach formation, which returned from Annesley sidings at 5.10 pm on weekdays, and about 1.00pm on Saturdays

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An outside-framed 4-4-0 heads the 7.35 away from Bulwell Common in this 1926 photo.

Ex-Great Central Class "C14" 4-4-2T no.6124 with the Annesley "Dido" in 1929. Apart from a 6-month break, she was at Annesley for 20years, from May 1919 till May 1939.Renumbered 67444 By British Railways, she was withdrawn from Gorton (39A) in July 1957 after a life of 50 year

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"F2" 2-4-2T no.7105 stands at Newstead (GN) with the Bulwell-bound "Dido" in August 1946.

From 1942 till the summer of 1949 the "Dido" was worked by ex-GC Class "F2" 2-4-2 tank engines.Here we have No.7105 at Newstead in August 1946. She was condemned in August 1948, leaving 7106 and 7107 soldiering on for another year. It was then the turn of the "C12" 4-4-2 tanks!

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Ex-GC "C12" 4-4-2T no.67363 is departing from Bulwell Common with the "Dido" in this wintry scene.

My earliest memory as a trainspotter of shouting "scrap it!" was on seeing for the umpteenth time that day, ex-GN Class C12 4-4-2T no.67363 on the Annesley "Dido". This was worked post-nationalisation by one of a pair of "C12's"

"C12" 4-4-2T no.67387 heads the "Dido" in this pre-1952 photo. She moved to 32D in January 1952.

12th May 1956

The "Dido" is pictured at Annesley North Junction signal box. with "C12" 4-4-2T no.67363

Class "C12" 4-4-2T no.67363 at Bulwell Common

67363 moved to Tilbury (33B) 10/56 and then to New England 08/58. She was withdrawn 3 months later.

67363 must have been unavailable in this 1952 view

"B1" 4-6-0 61063 departs from Bulwell Common. She was withdrawn from Woodford (2F) in Feb.1962

67387 was replaced at the end of 1951 by ex-Great Eastern "N7" 0-6-2 Tanks no.69651 and 69695,the latter being replaced in May 1954 by sister locomotive no.69692.

© Kidderminster Railway Museum

"N7" 0-6-2T no.69695 stands out of service on 16th March 1952

"Brewing up" at Bulwell Common

"N7" 0-6-2T no.69692 returned to its native G.E.territory in October 1956. (Wdn Sept.1962 from 30A)

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Driver Joe Barber withThe "Dido" at Newstead in1956

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Ex-GE "N7" 0-6-2T no.69651 is propelling her two coaches into Bulwell Common station in this early 'fifties shot.

The two "N7's" and the "C12" soldiered on until October 1956, when all three were replaced by a trio of ex-Great Central "A5" 4-6-2 Tanks, nos.69809, 69818 and 69825.

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Courtesy of Rex Pearl. This circular was posted on 13th September 1956

"A5" 4-6-2T no.69825 out of use 19/10/1958

69825 was on "Dido" duties from October 1956. She was transferred to Colwick in Dec.1958

copyright R.J.Blencowe (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

21st April 1958 sees "A5" 4-6-2T no.69818 parked on no.1 road

These in turn lasted until December 1958, when "Midlandisation" had reared its ugly head!
January 1959 saw the arrival at Annesley of three Fowler Class "4" Tanks, nos. 42333, 42339 and 42361. They lasted exactly a year before being transferred to Trafford Park (9E).

29th August 1959. Newstead (GN) station.

Annesley's 2-6-4T no.42361 departs with the "Dido" She was withdrawn from Gorton (9G) Feb.1964

When the rostered engine was out of action, any available loco' could be seen on the "dido". Here we have a rare shot of "9F" no.92093 approaching Bulwell Common c.1959/60

"9F" 2-10-0 no.92093 heads the up "Dido" c.1959/60

......next came the two engines that were probably the most suitable for the "Dido" - Ivaat Class "2" Tanks nos.41280 and 41320. The latter was transferred to Exmouth Junction on the Southern Region in September 1961, leaving her sister to Soldier on alone until April 1962.

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41280 stands ready for another "Dido" duty. She was withdrawn from Leicester (Midland) in Dec.1962

Although the end was in sight for the "Dido" 41280 was replaced by yet three more "modern" engines. BR Standard Class "2" 2-6-2 Tanks nos.84006,84007 and 84027.

It has been suggested that the "Dido" was so nicknamed because it ran "day in, day out". Although probably true,I cannot confirm this as I never heard it discussed in my time at Annesley.



No.5 link at Annesley was always known as the "Dido" Link, although it only formed a small part of the link's 24 workings. Unfortunately, by the time I reached this link, the "Dido" had ceased to run. It stopped running at the end of the Summer timetable on 8th September 1962.

copyright M.S.Castledine. CLICK TO ENLARGE

13th January 1963 sees 84007 out of use on the "coal stacks" road.

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The last two "Dido" tanks out of use on 13th January 1963