With the exception of ‘Pronounced Life Extinct’ all disposal books record 3093 as being scrapped at G. Cohen, Kettering but did anyone ever observe it there to confirm that was the case?

The last published observations of this locomotive so far traced were at Ashford Chart Leacon on 12/08/1973 (p.416 12/77 RO) in the company of 3095. The author of ‘Pronounced Life Extinct’ obviously had no further information about its disposal as no disposal for it is recorded in that publication. Subsequently the RO records its disposal as being to G. Cohen, Kettering during January 1974 (p.46 2/77 RO), this being the disposal given in all subsequent disposals books.

In addition to no observations of 3093 at Kettering having been so far traced the following anomalies regarding this disposal have also been identified. Firstly, Richard Day has unearthed a reference to a visit made to Ashford Chart Leacon in September 1973 which records both 3093 & 3095 still present coupled together and both ticketed Swindon Works. Although the RO subsequently reports 3095 as present at Swindon Works on 22/11/1973 (p.9 1/74 RO) and cut by 19/12/1973 (p.48 02/74 RO) there is no mention of 3093. The Swindon Works reports in the RO at the time were always very reliable and comprehensive. Is it though just possible that 3093 arrived and was cut without the RO correspondent observing it?

Secondly, John Hall notes that at the time, any locomotives sold from the Southern Region to G. Cohen would almost certainly have been consigned to Pollock & Brown, Southampton that company being a subsidiary company of G. Cohen at the time. Thus, although not impossible it would appear odd if 3093 had been sold to G. Cohen and not been consigned to Pollock & Brown.

Obviously, any observations of 3093 after September 1973 would be very useful in confirming what became of this locomotive.

Within days of this dilemma being added to the RCTS website Stewart Hookins has submitted his sighting of 3093 at Hither Green in January 1974. Obviously this fresh information rules out the possibility of 3093 having been scrapped at Swindon Works in late 1973. This obviously raises further questions, firstly, when and why did 3093 arrive at Hither Green? Secondly, when did it depart Hither Green and where did it go next? Further sightings of 3093 during the winter of 1973/1974 are thus very much sort.

Sightings for D3093