Agreed that the B.T.C. be approached for definite
information on the delivery dates of the power units from
Messrs.B.U.T.Ltd.
(b) Accomodation for units at
sheds.
Mr.Clayton said that a meeting had been held at Carlisle
at which all interested parties were represented, to consider the
question of accomodation for the units for the West Cumberland
area. No conclusion had been reached regarding a permanent
arrangement for housing the units but the question of temporary
premises had been dealt with and it had been found that the use of
Darran Hill motive power depot for this purpose would entail
considerable expenditure owing to the present condition of the
shed, and that Workington would be more easily adapted for the
West Cumberland Services alone. The Motive Power Superintendent
had already visualised a division of Workington shed for steam and
diesel units by the building a partition wall to separate the steam
and diesel sections, and the Operating Superintendent was in
agreement so far as the working of the units is concerned. It
was felt that this arrangement would be suitable and economical as a
temporary measure for the West Cumberland scheme in
isolation. Mention was made, however, of the fact that the
schemes were under consideration for Carlisle-Newcastle,
Carlisle-Glasgow and Carlisle-Edinburgh, and it was understood that
the N.E. and Scottish Regions were considering maintenance depots at
Middlesborough and Glasgow, but Mr.Clayton was of the opinion that
if these schemes were proceeded with, the use of Carlisle as a
central maintenance depot for all three schemes should be considered
as a long term policy also to deal with the diesel shunting units at
Carlisle, seeing that the shunting yards at Carlisle are almost
entirely diesel operated.
The Chairman said he would consult Messrs.Jessop (York)
and Stewart (Glasgow) and suggest that the Motive Power
Superintendents of the three Regions co-operate in looking into the
question of eventually concentrating the maintenance of the units
for the three schemes at Carlisle as suggested in the report of the
main Light Weight Trains Committee of March 1952, the L.M.R. Motive
Power Superintendent to take the initiative, the Operating
Superintendents an Carriage & Wagon Engineers to be associated
with the enquiry.
In the meantime, in order to proceed with the West
Cumberland scheme, Motive Power Department to co-opt other
Departments as necessary and submit a scheme as a matter of urgency
for the use of Workington as a temporary depot to cover maintenance,
fuelling and cleaning of the units, on the understanding that the
diesels will be segregated from steam locomotives.
