Full steam into history as train 6998 leaves Oxford depot

Alderman Kathleen Lower was at the controls as 6998 Burton Agnes Hall emerged to take charge of the last steam-hauled passenger train on the Western Region of British Railways.

The historic journey from Oxford to Banbury took place 50 years ago, on Monday, January 3, 1966.

The Oxford Mail reported: “Steam locomotive No 6998 hissed its way to a near halt on the downside platform at Oxford station and backed on to the train it was to pull to Banbury.

“Looking out from the driver’s cab was the Lord Mayor, Alderman Kathleen Lower.

“It was the last steam locomotive to come out of Oxford motive power depot to work a train.

“The run to Banbury was the last steam journey to be undertaken on the Western Region.”

Oxford area manager John Atkinson said: “For the station staff, the change of engines for this train, which has come from Poole and goes on to York, is just routine.

“But we couldn’t let an historic occasion in Western Region’s history come and go without ceremony, could we?”

The Lord Mayor had climbed into the cab at the depot after being invited to drive the locomotive into the station by Mr FD Pattisson, the Western Region’s London divisional manager.

Driver Gerry Faulkener and fireman Pat Cook were on hand to help her.

After being assisted down from the footplate on to the platform, the Lord Mayor waved the green flag and with a couple of resolute whistles, sent the locomotive on the final steam journey.

She was allowed to keep the flag as a memento of the occasion.

“You’ll be able to use it to start council meetings,” an official suggested.

“We’d need a red flag for that!” the Lord Mayor replied.

The ceremony marked the end of an era in Oxford’s railway history – the first steam train had arrived in the city 121 years earlier, on June 12, 1844.

Burton Agnes Hall emerged from Swindon works in January 1949 and is one of 17 Hall or Modified Hall class locomotives to be preserved.

It can be seen at Didcot Railway Centre.