Railway Herald
Inside Reddish MPD on Sunday 19th March 1978, two Class 76 locos No. 76035 and 76054 are stabled following maintenance. No. 76035 is a dual braked and multiple working fitted example, new from the ex LNER Gorton Works as No. E26018 in September 1951. Renumbered under TOPS as No. 76018 it swapped identities in June 1976 becoming No. 76035, a number it carried until withdrawl during July 1981 upon closure of the Woodhead Route. On the right is vacuum-only Class 76 No. 76054. This loco was built also locally at Gorton Works in May 1953 as No. E26054 and named 'Pluto', being fitted from new with a steam heating boiler for working the passenger trains between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield Victoria Stations along with the larger Class 77s. Denamed when the Woodhead Route was downgraded to freight only she stayed in service until the line closed also being withdrawn in July 1981. Both locos were eventually towed across the Pennines to be scrapped by C F Booth of Rotherham No. 76035 in June 1983 and No. 76054 in May 1983.
Bob Woolnough
