03069 Chinnor’s latest gronk, remembered
Built as D2069 at Doncaster Works being delivered new to West Hartlepool (51C) depot in September 1959. She was to remain a North East based shunter until withdrawl in Dec 83. Depots this 03 were based at include
West Hartlepool (9/59-6/60)
Thornaby (6/60-3/65)
Thanks to John Williams for this March 31st 1981 image of 03069 at home on Darlington depot
Darlington (3/65-1/76), (10/81- 4/81)
Gateshead (4/81-12/83)
03069 was sold to Vic Berry, Leicester here shunting many BR locos to their final demise.
03069 is recorded by Neil Evans between shunting turns at Vic Berry’s Leicester scrapyard on September 24th 1988
Thanks to Nigel Tout for this early 1989 view of 03069 shunting stock over the River Soar bridge at Vic Berrys, see more of Nigels photos at www.nigeltout.com
The demise of Vic Berry after the March 91 fire saw the loco sold to preservation at the Glos-Warks in August 1991. Long spells as Winchcombe Carriage Shed pilot and engineering trains kept 03069 busy.
She was sold to the Vale of Berkley Railway in Gloucestershire in 2019 starring at the nearby Dean Forest Gala in September 2019.
She arrived at the Chinnor Railway in late 2022 normally being stabled at the South end of Princes Risborough yard.
Stabled in her usual place at the South End of Risboro yard on June 3rd 2023
August 24th 2023 saw a bit of glory for 03069 with her working the 1200 Chinnor – Princes Risborough and 1235 return with “Bubble” 55024 as the consist.
03069 comes out off the yard at Chinnor with bubble 55024 as the stock to form the 1200 to Pisborough on August 24th 2023
03069 after arriving at Risboro with the 1200 ex Chinnor on August 24th 2023
Showing off her flowerpot chimney, 03069 runs round at Risborough on August 24th 2023
03069 back at Chinnor after a reasonable thrash up the grade from Risboro with the 1235 service on August 24th 2023
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