WORCESTERSHIRE'S RAILWAYS FROM 1939 TO 1945
1939
The Government and the Big Four railways companies has a plan for the war that was expected amd which started on 3rd September 1939. An emergency timetable was gradually introduced and activities deemed to be not critical such as Restaurant Cars were withdrawn from service. This followed a Goverment takeover of the railways on the 1st of that month. The first of the new timebales for the GWR was published on 25th September.
With many trains being removed altogether the LMSR took the opporunity to move some Jubilee Class 4-6-0s locomotives to Birmingham-Bristol workings (some via Worcester) and four were allocated to Bristol - 5590 (Travancore), 5598 (Basutoland), 5618 (New Hebrides) and 5622 (Nyasaland).
Worcester shed received two LNER J25 0-6-0 locomotives on loan which were soon put to work at Honeybourne. These replaced Worcester's "Dean Goods" which were requisitioned.
1940
LNER loaned "J25" No.2975 was put through Worcester Works during the Summer.
Apart from this little of note was recorded in the county in 1940.
1941
1942
Worcester shed played host to many engines from all four of the major companies including the Southern Railway. The two loan LNER class J21 locomotives Nos.2051, 2072 and 2141. The Railway Observer reported that the halts at Astwood and Blackpole had been reopened. This was to allow trains to convey workers to the ROF factory at Blackpole.
The Southern Railway locomotives were 4-4-2Ts Nos.2089 and 2091 on long term loan.
1943
1944
1945