Another veteran seen on the St John’s Crossing branch, this time in 1959, was J25 class loco no 65663. She is pictured pulling wagons into the yard. Built around the turn of the century she would also be about 60 years old at the time this photograph was taken.
Photograph and details courtesy of Martin Birtle and John Hardy.
According to my 1955/56 combined ABC, 65663 belonged to Whitby shed. Was it transferred to Stockton, or was it just visiting and Stockton borrowed it to work the docks for a while when the photo was taken? Over to you chaps!!
The BRDatabase website states:
6/58 50B Neville Hill (Leeds) 3/59 50C Selby
8/59 52F Blyth (North) 5/60 52C Blaydon
My 1959 Combined 50C Selby and the 1960 Shedbook says 52C Blaydon.
So no nearer an answer but probably ‘borrowed’ whilst in the area.