Loose_Grip/Pete's photos with the keyword: main

Glimpsed through the victorian ironwork of Preston's 1880 subway stairs on platform 1-2 is LMS Stanier Black 5 4-6-0 45305 with the 5305LA support coach. We were stabled overnight on what was one of the parcels platforms, later R.e.s. although originally they had been added to the west of the main trainshed in 1903 to handle the increase in passenger traffic. HFF & have a great weekend.

On the footplate of 70013 Oliver Cromwell heading for Barnetby in Lincolnshire. While speeding along the virtually flat ex-MSLR/Great Central four track main line east of Doncaster, Roger inspects his fire. We finally arrived at Barnetby at 18.03 after a 10 hour journey from Southall in West London. After turning the engine on the triangle via Ulceby it was coaled & watered in the Down Cattle Dock and then stabled for the night at the head of the Cheshireman stock in the Down Sidings.

At speed on the Great Western Railway main line between Slough and Ealing and the only light is from the white hot coals through the partially open firebox door silhouetting the fireman's profile while the driver keeps an eagle eye on the road ahead. Among the many and varied noises as we rushed through the night was the satisfying ring of the AWS bell indicating a clear road ahead. Southern Railway N15 4-6-0 30453 King Arthur is on the Saint George's Day (Sir Lamiel was Welsh) Cathedrals Express steam special returning to Clapham Junction from Stratford upon Avon.

Stanier Jubilee 4-6-0 45699 Galatea, beautifully turned out as 45562 Alberta, climbing the 1 in 125 gradient towards Diggle Junction box and Standedge tunnel with the Cotton Mill Express. The timetable had the loco looped at Diggle for 20 minutes so we expected the driver to be shutting off by this point but the train was actually held at Stalybridge instead. It was running 30 minutes late so the Diggle stop was dropped and she was really working hard through here. The backdrop is the W.H. Shaw Pallet (formerly Dobcross Loom) Works, reputedly one of the largest factories of its type before its closure in 2006. Dating from 1860 it was being demolished at the time of my visit.

We weren’t alone in Southall steam shed. British Railways Standard pacific 70013 Oliver Cromwell stands ready for her fitness to run exam prior to working a main line special from London Victoria to Hastings the following day while Stanier Black 5 4-6-0 45212 was cooling down after her main line run earlier that week.