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Wednesday 26 November 2014

A Midland Red S15 on Townhill?

 Yes, it did happen!

Brunswick Street, depot 1957
This view of Brunswick Street depot, Swansea shows Regent V 481 OCY 664 ready for its next job. Nothing unusual about that.

But look in the pit area! It's Midland Red S15 4644 (644 AHA), marked for service 12 (Townhill).

So, did a Midland Red S15 really work to Townhill?

The answer is yes. It has been recorded elsewhere that four S15s were loaned to BET companies as demonstrators when new in 1957/8 as BMMO was contemplating offering the type on general sale. Clearly, SWT was one of those companies and was well known for trialling new designs in the fifties and sixties.

The photo would bear out a date of c.1957/8 (481, new in 1957, still has square wings) and the depot itself is in unrebuilt condition (this took place much later, in 1963).

Further evidence comes from the following cutting from the SWT staff magazine, 'Ein Newyddion' of November 1957:

 

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