In the dead of winter, here are a few quick items which I hope you will find interesting. While many different technologies were/are used around the world for railway operations, the 'railwayness' of self-steering flanged wheels on low-friction rails is common to all.
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| from: The Observer's Book of Railway Locomotives of Britain; 1955, 1962; HC Casserley; Frederick Warne & Co. |
This class includes a widely-travelled and famous named engine: The Flying Scotsman.
It was built in 1923,
numbered 4472 (February 1924 – January 1946)
and numbered 60103 from December 1948 onwards.
Photos of the engine itself can be seen via this link to Eric's post:
Photos of the engine itself can be seen via this link to Eric's post:
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| from: A Historical Survey of Great Western Engine Sheds 1947; ET Lyons; 1972; Oxford Publishing. |
This photo was taken at Abingdon, just south of Oxford, England.
The local engine shed was in service 1856-1954.
The water tank and long curving run of interlocking rods give clues about the climate here.
The particular 'curiosity' here is the type of derail used here in Britain and also in India.
In contrast to Canadian top-of-rail castings which are secured in derailing position with switch locks ...
in a Canadian winter, this arrangement would be one more 'frozen switch' to heat or burn out,
or to chip ice out of, and sweep clean with regularity.
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The particular 'curiosity' here is the type of derail used here in Britain and also in India.
In contrast to Canadian top-of-rail castings which are secured in derailing position with switch locks ...
in a Canadian winter, this arrangement would be one more 'frozen switch' to heat or burn out,
or to chip ice out of, and sweep clean with regularity.
* * *
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| from: A Historical Survey of Great Western Engine Sheds 1947; ET Lyons; 1972; Oxford Publishing. |
Truro is in western Cornwall, England.
There are lots of interesting curiosities here.
Probably no one ever put a locomotive in the turntable pit here.
Perhaps those are tank engines or Forneys for short locals.
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There are lots of interesting curiosities here.
Probably no one ever put a locomotive in the turntable pit here.
Perhaps those are tank engines or Forneys for short locals.
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| from: GWR Company Servants; Janet KL Russell; 1983; Wild Swan Publications. |
The local hayburning 0-4-0.
Somewhere I have an article about slip coaches - which are local cars cut off on the fly.
Somewhere I have an article about slip coaches - which are local cars cut off on the fly.
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| from: Early Railroad Days - Prints from the Collection of American Steel Foundries; circa 1945. |