Peter Kerslake says "Heaps of ash from fireboxes and smokeboxes were typical hazards for shed staff anywhere near coaling stages where locomotives were cleared of the stuff, and this view from Ebbw Vale Junction Motive Power Depot shows such deposits awaiting clearance after what looks to have been a busy day with 6840 "Hazeley Grange" heading this little line up, in typical 1960's condition but still retaining her name and number plates.
This Depot boasted two roundhouses and a substantial repairs shop dating back to 1915, the Depot having a mixed bag of locomotives on its books ranging from mixed traffic 4-6-0 tender engines down to a large number of various Tank engines and in its heyday being home to well over one hundred locomotives.
When constructed the brickwork on the coaling plant had provision for its extension at the far end of this photograph, but such addition was not carried out with just a temporary asbestos clad structure being added instead"