YOUR story of the closure of the Oxford locomotive shed 50 years ago (Memory Lane, January 4) reminded me of a picture I have in my collection.

It may well be an Oxford Mail photograph, but as you can see, it is of one of the Western Region Castle Class engines, 7023 Penrice Castle, at Oxford station.

The picture was taken in September 1963 – 7023 was looking in a pretty grubby state then, two-and-a-half years before steam ended.

The plate below the number on the smokebox indicates that it was based at Worcester, code 85A.

JOHN BLAKE
Oxford

IN THE 1950s, a group of trainspotters used to meet by the bridge at the bottom of Abbey Road just north of Oxford station.

From here we could see all the trains that passed through.

One of our objectives was to get round the loco shed, which was difficult because the foreman’s office looked out on to the only path.

We were often successful when he went to lunch.

Apart from myself, other regulars included Mike Crook, Bryan Hunt, Colin Ives and Graham Cummings.

One of our regular trips was to Swindon works every few weeks when a tour was available on a Wednesday afternoon.

BRIAN SESSIONS
Didcot