WRRC Forum

I'd always thought that Cardiff Valley engines normally ran facing the same direction.
At the same time, in TVR days I wondered why there were small turntables at Penarth, Aberdare, etc. Too small for tender locos AFAIK.
I was reviewing recently some ancient correspondence with HT Hobbs (an adviser to TLJ and EM) who states that engines were turned at terminals so the chimney end, rather than the bunker, was at the front of trains in both directions.
So there is a limited need for routing disks and bunker lamps for TVR period models.
Probably passenger trains only.
(Certainly, the extensive TVR list of route codes official booklet only shows them on the chimney end.
And allows me to state that the list in HMRS Great Western Way is only partial.)
When did this loco orientation change? Was it GWR inspired?

Just to amplify slightly; are then any photos of TVR loco-hauled passenger trains with bunker leading; for example from the opposite view look at how many Merthyr TVR train photos awaiting departure have chimney leading even in early GWR days?

I have a picture of the aftermath of the Coke Ovens disaster on January 23, 1911 which clearly shows the engine of the Cardiff-bound passenger train was running smokebox first when it ran into the rear of a down coal train.

There was a suggestion, in another place, RMWEB, that the TVR turntables were for tender locos, but with the turntables being small in some locations the tender would have had to be removed (!!), turned separately and re-attached before the locomotive could carry out more work. Note also that the centre of TVR Loco Maintenance had to remove trailing bogie wheels from 062T to get them into West Yard works. No space to do the obvious and use a larger diameter in this case.
So the TVR was obviously familiar with small turntables. Penarth Town turntable has photographic evidence right up to Grouping courtesy of Aerofilms that was.

If not used by tender engines, then what? Tank engines?

My understanding is Yes - Tank engines.
Perhaps and this (only) am I guessing there was some prestige in the public image of the chimney first; note the preference on heritage lines by the passenger, and officials to see the chimney first operation where possible.
That is the basic point I am making based on the evidence of someone who was there and interested - HT Hobbs (decd).