Hi Y Dave,
many thanks for posting the headcode information, I had looked through my Southern books looking for a Tonbridge 74D** loco code (home shed for my model), but settled for the Tunbridge Wells - Eastbourne one on the basis that TWW could not provide a 4MT on a particular day.
The prototype loco was supposed to go to/stay on the Southern when built at Brighton in May 1952, but went with others in that batch to Watford, where it stayed until December 1959, having side screens fitted in March 1955. Ashford was its next base, where it seemed to have a 'General' in July 1960 where amongst other works carried out, it lost the water pick up chute and gained a speedo, ATC, additional lamp irons and cab roof lifting rings - the latter being a 'standard' Southern requirement following a nasty accident at Eastleigh when one fell during removal, causing major injuries.
Based on the above, taken from the RCTS Vol 3 Standard Tank Classes, I would surmise that it was never fitted with warning flashes as there would not have been a requirement at Watford during its tenure there.
HI Dave S,
Great photos as usual, thanks for posting them.
My major error is fitting the large emblem on the tank sides, on the photographs that I have of 80037, it is in such a filthy state (they were all taken post 1964 when it was in the West Country) you could not see the emblem. Personally, I think that the small emblem looks lost in that vast tankside area and the larger version is more proportional to the area. In any case, mine is now under three coats of Johnson's Klear and is staying there - Rule 1 applies.
Thanks all for looking.
regards
Mike
Edit ** I know that Tonbridge became 73J in its final years (did any of its locos ever carry 73J I wonder) but I was born in Tonbridge and 74D was always the shedcode that I remember.