The years leading up to the end of steam on BR in 1968 were a time for many railway enthusiasts to pull out all the stops in a last-ditch attempt to record on camera the ever dwindling stock of steam locos still working on our railways. I was amongst those, lucky in that the north west of England was their final stronghold. My home in Bolton was close to the busy Manchester to Preston line, the route of what became the last ‘named train’ to be steam hauled, ‘The Belfast Boat Express’ to Heysham Harbour. From Preston, travelling the West Coast Main Line between Wigan North Western and Lancaster Castle stations became a regular week-end activity, venturing over Shap to Carlisle when opportunity arose. Most of these journeys were steam hauled, usually by a ‘Black 5’ or one of the last ‘Pacifics’, the Britannias, while shutters were kept clicking as grimy 8Fs and 9Fs hauled their freight through smoke filled stations.
Tag: Trains
Today on the blog we have an exclusive interview with Malcolm Clegg. Here Malcolm tells us more about his upcoming release British Steam Locomotives Before Preservation.
The arrival of the Corona Virus in Britain has led to an unusual reaction to the countries railway system, especially the London Underground. What was once seen as the safest form of transport is now one that the Government is advising us to avoid if at all possible due to the danger that crowded carriages present to the public.
It is hard for the majority of rail users to ever imagine that the railway system was anything other than safe. This is far from being the case. Travelling on the early railway system was so dangerous that it was possible to buy insurance with your ticket. The early trains may have been slow but the drive to increase speed often led to less attention to safety.
#RecommendedReads
🌟 The Railway By Andrew Dow
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Railway-Hardback/p/7846
🌟 Train Doctor By Roger Senior
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Train-Doctor-Hardba…/p/12143
