Big Bertha and the Lickey Incline
Living within a couple of miles of the Lickey Incline means that I'm
well aware of the continued interest in this section of the rail
network. Also, the fame of 'Big Bertha' seems to grow rather than
diminish as the years go by. In 2006, Bertha was the logo of the
Bromsgrove Beer
Festival and also appeared on the cover of the Bromsgrove Rousler
(Issue 21 - see
here
for cover picture),
a magazine published by the
Bromsgrove
Society.
The facts about the Lickey Incline and 'Big Bertha' are undoubtably the
reason for all the interest. The steepest mainline incline on the
network at 1 in 37 for just over 2 miles. A unique loco produced
especially for the job of banking at Lickey which went on to cover
838,856 miles over 36 years only to face a sad demise at the scrap yard
in 1956...
There is an interesting history of the line on
LickeyIncline.co.uk
and, for those interested in visiting the line today, there is some
useful advice (dreadfully formatted though!) on
The Famous
Lickey Incline site.
When I first looked through the prints with Andy of
Rail Around Birmingham,
only one picture of 'Big Bertha' appeared. However, after a year
of developing the railway section of this site I was able to recognise
her via her final BR designation, 58100, in a series of contact
prints. These are not of the quality you'll see elsewhere, but
they are cracking pictures nonetheless!
22290 21C Bromsgrove South - 10/10/48
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This was the only full size
print and shows 'Big Bertha' with her LMS number, 22290. As a
Midland loco she was 2290. Her 0-10-0 configuration can clearly
be seen.
I did wonder if the building in the background was the Bromsgrove
Carriage & Wagon Works but both
Mike and Robin got in touch to say that it was Garringtons
factory. Robin further explained that, "The wagon works were the
other side of the line, behind the down platform and the engine
shed". You can see this on the Bromsgrove
Station pictures,
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58100 Saltley Loco - 29/1/49
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'Big Bertha'
was given her BR number of 58100 in January 1949 so I originally
suspected that the renumbering had
happened during this visit to Saltley. However, Richard explained:
"Only in very extreme cases
were locos renumbered at sheds. 58100 became that during a visit
to Derby Works in 1949 for a Casual Repair. It was due in shops
5/1/49. I suggest the shot at Saltley was taken when 58100 was en
route back to Bromsgrove."
I've no idea who the Bertha groupies are!
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58100 21C Bromsgrove Stn - 10/3/49
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58100 21C Bromsgrove Stn - 15/5/49
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This super shot clearly shows
the Walschaerts valve gear and the famous headlight. The
headlight was fitted to Bertha's successor, 92079, when she was
scrapped.
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58100 21C Bromsgrove Incline - 24/7/49
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'Big Bertha' performing her duty
in life - banking a goods train up the Lickey Incline.
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7301 21C, 58100 21C Bromsgrove Incline - 24/7/49
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For this passenger train Bertha
has some assistance from 'Jinty' class 0-6-0T 7301.
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