Were D5043, D5093, D5138 & D5139 scrapped at Chester?

D5043, D5093, D5138 & D5139 were severely damaged in an accident at Chester depot on 9th July 1969 and were withdrawn as a result.  Disposal listings generally give their disposal as J. Cashmore, Great Bridge, West Midlands.

Following the accident the locomotives were moved into the adjacent goods yard. There are various reports of them being dismantled on site during the spring of 1970.  Also reports of some of them in the yard of J. Cashmore, Great Bridge.

What isn’t clear is whether the locomotives were actually moved partially complete (wheeled frames with some frame mounted components and body work) to Great Bridge or were dismantled at Chester with the resultant scrap being taken to Great Bridge.  If the later, then were the sightings actually of scrap that could be identied as coming from the locomotives or the locomotives themselves.

Considering the damage to the locomotives and the reported removal of key components at Chester movement by rail to Great Bridge  appears unlikely.

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