Time Capsules - Old Photographs from the past

Wrexham, Croes Newydd mpd. In 1921 the GWR had 29 locomotives allocated here including Armstrong Standard Goods 0-6-0s and a number of tank engines. The town had become the industrial centre of north east Wales in the late 18th century following the establishment of Bersham Ironworks in 1762 by 'Iron Mad Wilkinson', fuelled no doubt by the numerous collieries in the vicinity. Wilkinson also started smelting iron at nearby Brymbo in 1793 and the railways developed to serve the mines and ironworks, which may explain why the town was still running two large engine sheds in the British Railways era.
In this image, nearest the camera, left is the rear of a GWR 0-6-OPT; 6697 was one of the last of the 5600 class of 0-6-2T engines, developed from the designs of local companies serving the mining valleys in South Wales. The loco on the right is probably 48325, a Stanier 2-8-0 freight loco built for the LMS; a sister engine probably stands behind it. The combined coaling stage and water tower was a relatively new feature (centre) when introduced in 1902, but later was adopted as a standard design at GWR sheds

6697 was resident for many years at Croes Newydd - often used on the workings of imported Iron Ore from Birkenhead Docks

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