Harwich Cartic Ramp Mystery

Unidentified Cartic Ramp pictured on road 3 of Harwich Parkeston Yard in 2016. This is believed to be 060773. David Morris

Unidentified Cartic Ramp pictured on road 2 of Harwich Parkeston Yard in 2016. David Morris

For many years, the two Cartic Ramps pictured above, have lain out of use on roads two and three of Harwich Parkeston yard. Both have been located there for at least forty years, probably much longer. Neither carry any identifying numbers, however both appear to have been constructed on BR Mark I carriage underframes.

Possible suggested identities are 060772 and 060773.

The one on road three is almost certainly 060773. This was observed in Parkeston yard on several occasions in the 1980's, then carrying a cast 060773 plate.

The possibility of the other being 060772 has now been eliminated. This was located at Dover Town Yard in the 1980's, before moving to Dagenham Dock Down Yard, where it was observed to still be present in August 1995. It was reportedly scrapped on site the following year. Its design, with side access ladders was though completely different to the one on road two at Harwich Parkeston yard.

These are not the only Cartic Ramps to have been located at Parkeston yard. A visitor to the yard in February 1986 noted one they were unable to identify, 060773 and 041363. The later is though to a completely different design with an adjustable ramp and based on Carflat B889139 which had an underframe of LMSR origin. Roger Butcher visited that July and noted 060773 and another unidentifiable Cartic Ramp. On the same day he visited Harwich Town yard noting 041363, B748164 based on an underframe of GWR origin, and another unidentifiable Cartic Ramp.

Photograps would appear to confirm that the Cartic Ramps Roger saw in Parkeston yard in 1986 and recorded as 060773 and unidentifiable are the same pair that were photographed there in 2016. They were still present in 2023.

The identity of the one Roger was unable to identify at Harwich Parkeston Quay and the one he was unable to identify at Harwich Town remains a mystery to this day. Both though are of identical design although differences are discernable in photographs.

Observations made, or photographs taken, of the ramps in the last half century at Harwich Town, Harwich Parkeston yard or elswhere in the area could prove invaluable. Anyone who has any, or can otherwise help unravel the mysteries of the Harwich Cartic Ramps, is asked to make contact with Peter Hall.

Details of BR Cartic Ramps on BR Mark I underframes can be found here or by clicking on the link at the top of the page.

Details of MAT Transauto Cartic Ramps on SR underframes can be found here or by clicking on the link at the top of the page.

Details of Cartic Ramps mounted on Carflat wagons can be found here or by clicking on the link at the top of the page.

Details of a similar mystery regarding the identity of a Cartic Ramp once located at Dover can be found here or by clicking on the link at the top of the page.

Details of a similar mystery regarding the identity of a Cartic Ramp once located at Newport can be found here or by clicking on the link at the top of the page.

This page is maintained by Peter Hall.