Lady of Legend

[Peter Roberts]

No, not the relaxing driver. 2999, currently running on the Bluebell Railway in Sussex, is named Lady of Legend.


Canon EOS300 / Canon 24-85mm 3.5-4.5 / FP4+ / ID.11 1+1

 

[Gianluca Drago]

That guy’s confident smile was definitely worth capturing.

 

[Ralph Turner]

Lovely stuff, Peter. Not been on the Bluebell for longer than I can remember.

 

[Tony Warren]

That's from God's Wonderful Railway isn't it?

 

[Peter Roberts]

Not been on the Bluebell for longer than I can remember.

I hadn't been for almost 30 years. A visiting friend wanted to go somewhere "with a bit of railway history" so it seemed a suitable choice. The smile on his face all day matched that driver's.

 

[Peter Roberts]

That's from God's Wonderful Railway isn't it?

It is indeed, Tony. A Saint class, but not all it seems. 2999 is a new build from a donor loco (a Hall I think) and parts made to original specifications. The number and the name are fictitious but in keeping with the spirit of the class. Not that it matters much, all GWR 4-6-0s look the same to me

 

[Tony Warren]

It is indeed, Tony. A Saint class, but not all it seems. 2999 is a new build from a donor loco (a Hall I think) and parts made to original specifications. The number and the name are fictitious but in keeping with the spirit of the class. Not that it matters much, all GWR 4-6-0s look the same to me

That's fascinating Peter. I must look it up. A long time since I was a trainspotter but the power and life in these engines never loses its appeal.

 

[Tony Warren]

That's fascinating Peter. I must look it up. A long time since I was a trainspotter but the power and life in these engines never loses its appeal.

From my ttainspotting days and photographic beginnings.

 

[Peter Roberts]

That's fascinating Peter.

I'm glad you found it of interest, Tony.

 

[Peter Roberts]

From my ttainspotting days and photographic beginnings.

Love these, especially top left in the collage with the gaggle of schoolboy trainspotters. They as much as the loco date that one!

I was never a trainspotter as such but have always had an interest the whole railway scene. I still retain that interest even after having spent all my working life on the railway in one capacity or another. Photography was a logical extension of that interest and so, in the spirit of sharing old stuff here are a few from the back catalogue. Sadly most of my old negatives were lost so some are indifferent scans of prints.

Bluebell Railway 1975:






Kent and East Sussex 1976:



Looking at these afresh I can see traits that have remained with me throughout my photographic journey. People, shooting against the light, reflections, they're all there.

Obviously some are pure record shots. For instance steam on BR didn't actually end in the mid sixties. Well into the late seventies the breakdown crane at Hither Green, where I worked at the time, was steam. Here it is in action clearing up mishap in the marshalling yard.



Thanks for giving me an excuse to delve into my archive.

 

[Tony Warren]

Great to see them Pete and one of those schoolboys could have been me. We were all around that age.
The crane would be oil fuelled I assume, no fireman with the same duties. The steam locos were very dependent on them, probably as much as the drivers.
Love the candids and the lamp in particular, with the reflection of the crossing gates.

 

[Peter Roberts]

The crane would be oil fuelled

It may come as a surprise but it remained coal fired to the end.

 

[Tony Warren]

It may come as a surprise but it remained coal fired to the end.

That is a surprise with such a specific use vehicle. Was it fed automatically? I had a coal fired central heating boiler one time with a worm drive feeding the coal in. I can see the hopper now, very like some of the later BR locos.

 

[Peter Roberts]

That is a surprise with such a specific use vehicle.

Sorry for the late reply, Tony, but I opted for "ask a friend" for more information. As these things were in essence emergency equipment they were always in a state of readiness. This included always being in steam. Although capable of heavy lifts this was mostly achieved by gearing and an intricate block and tackle system which made the slow but powerful in operation. Traditionally the crew on the crane itself consisted of just one person, the driver/operator whose duties included tending the boiler. The boiler was comparatively small compared with even the humblest tank locomotive and the crane's two small cylinders only required a correspondingly lower steam pressure. A separate fireman was therefore not necessary.
Thanks for your interest as a result of which I have learned something myself.