Doncaster Works lists

[MisterC]

Lists of locomotives on Works are valuable evidence for determining when modifications to locomotives took place, for example steam heat generator removals (see Diesel Dilemmas and thread on this forum), and repairs after collisions and fires (see Query Corner).
For some time now I have been compiling a spreadsheet listing Doncaster Works reports and the class 31 locomotives recorded as being on works. I have been through back issues of RO and various other publications.
This is an appeal for help to fill in gaps. I'd be grateful if anyone is able to provide Doncaster Works lists for any dates not in RO, particularly the following:
March 66 to July 74 any!
1975 Mar/Apr/Jun/Jul/Sep/Dec
1976 Jan/Mar/Sep
1977 Jun/Jul/Sep/Dec
1978 Jul/Aug/Nov
1979 Jan/Feb/Apr/May/Aug/Sep
Thanks!

[Peter Hall]

From my notebooks, 31s recorded on Doncaster Works visits.

25/9/77 - 31009, 31133, 31213, 31220, 31258, 31259, 31260, 31298, 31320, 31322

11/12/77 - 31308, 31320, 31326 - not a visit but viewed in the works over the fence

16/7/78 - 31012, 31218 - not a visit but viewed in the works over the fence

Not sure I can help with the other dates.

[Western Druid]

You can find some visits for 1979 (and other dates) here:

http://www.britishrailways.net/works/doncaster.html

Kev

[MisterC]

I wrote this about a year ago, and I'm pitching it up to the front as it is relevant to my post about Dalescroft Railfans.

Hopefully there are some people, not reading the discussion board a year ago, who will read it now, and be able to help.

Thanks.

[Ian Prince]

Doncaster Works visit 7th October 1973

Cl.31s:-

5563
5623
5654
5557
5522
5593
5671
5844
5852
5861
5612
5843
5632

Does that help at all?

[Ian Prince]

30th March 1974
Doncaster Station
31233
31127
31244
31245
31155
31200
31409
31254
31145
31138
31109
31144

Doncaster Works
31273
31169
5818
31319
31153
31009
31294
5697
31174
31303
31129

Doncaster Depot
31127
31298
31155
31139
31152
31283
31263
31246
31156

(and ADB966508 (3035?) together with ADB966506 (3078?) - sorry straying off topic slightly)

[MisterC]

30th March 1974

Doncaster Works
31273
31169
5818
31319
31153
31009
31294
5697
31174
31303
31129

Thanks Ian, this list is potentially of huge historical significance.

Did you record, or can you remember, any livery information for these? And do you have any pictures?

[Ian Prince]

Regretably no pre 1975 photos and rarely recorded livery variants in those days despite seeing many in green in the Crimpsall shops during overhaul (and out and about at that time. It wasnt unusual enough to record it then).

[MisterC]

Thanks, I asked more in hope than expectation!

5818 (arrived Doncaster 20/03/74) and 31294 (arrived Doncaster 06/03/74) were actually the last green class 31s. 31294 is reckoned to be the only class 31 to carry a TOPS number in green livery, but I'm on the look out for good evidence to substantiate that. Your report confirms that 5818 arrived on works unrenumbered. 31294 departed on 07/04/74 in blue and it would have been nice if it could be confirmed that it hadn't already been in the paint shop before 30/03/74.

It is also interesting that you recorded 5697 as such. This became 31419, and I have never been able to pin down an exact date that it departed the works, so your report at least narrows the range down a bit.

Finally, you mention that you saw many green class 31s in the Crimpsall: does that mean that you have some lists from dates earlier than 30/03/74?

[Ian Prince]

Only the list from 1973 posted above. Earlier visits I didn't record the numbers unfortunately.