The Lickey Incline March 2012

Yes this has to be published. A truly remarkable video for a remarkable day.

Steam Excursion March 2012 part 2 'The Lickey's'

The day was not over yet. After seeing the Princess Elizabeth steam through Leamington Spa, I decided to finish the day by travelling over to the famous Lickey Incline.

This is the steepest gradient on the whole of the network, at 1 in 37 from Bromsgrove to Blackwell. Isambard Kingdom Brunel suggested an alternative route in 1832, but this was passed over. It was thought that cables may have to be used to haul stock up the gradient.

In the days of steam, 'double headers' or 'bankers' were employed to assist the assent. However some of the larger locomotive like the 9F's and the Princess Elizabeth would have travelled climbed unaided, these were powerful locos.

This a very early photograph I found, and it clearly shows the commencement of the gradient at Bromsgrove Station.

Another photograph I found shows the steepness of the gradient. Looking down from Blackwell towards Bromsgrove with the Malvern Hills in the distance.

These are the two 'banking' locomotives en route descending towards Bromsgrove to meet and couple up to the anticipated run ascending The Lickeys.

The locomotives are 7752 GWR Pannier Tank Engine built in 1930 and 9600 GWR Pannier Engine built in 1945. Both these locomotives are based in Tyseley, Birmingham.

OK let us start the climb. Princess Elizabeth heads the assent.

And finally, the 'bankers' taking up the strain.

I have had to 'doctor' some of these photographs in order to remove unwanted content. Unfortunately, due to the nature of this rare occasion with steam and double bankers on the Lickeys, and the excellent weather brought out enthusiasts by the hundreds. Vantage points for good photography are indeed very rare as well!

It was all good natured and family's turned out to witness this spectacle. I met some very nice people indeed.

Steam Excursion March 2012 part 1

Saturday 24th March 2012, a steam excursion of some interest commenced from Solihull with LMS Locomotive 'Princess Elizabeth' 4-6-2 now owned by the Princess Elizabeth Loco Trust and based at Tyseley, Birmingham. This locomotive was built in Crewe and came into service on 3rd November 1933. Built at a cost of £11,765.

She is just a little late by the station clock. Her approach at Leamington Spa was scheduled for 07.25. Excellent start to the day.

All three photos aare taken taken at Leamington Spa General.

Part two will be later, work needs to be done with the photos!

Vintage and Classic Commercial Show at Malvern

Saturday 17th March, some of us re-assembled at the Three Counties Show Ground for a one day Vintage and Classic Commercial Show.

We arrived on the Friday afternoon to set up and meet Maurice Allely's newly restored 'Sturdy' diesel Thornycroft from 1950. photo Matt Bisp

It was vehicles like this that Maurice Allely first set up Allelys Haulage, cattle and agricultural transport mainly in those days. photo Matt Bisp

Since those early days, the family has grown up and developed the business to today's heavy haulage market. See below.

A fine example of a Leyland Steer, 1959.

Circa 1950's Guy. A lovely example indeed.

Vic Haines from Evesham showing off his vintage and classic stock.

These have always been one of my favourites. A AEC Matator. Many are still employed in the timber business.

A little uncertain about this Morris Commercial. Probably 1949 and very similar to that used by the Post Office Telephone engineers vehicle.

This is a well restored example of an Albion Chieftain, 1955

Now these I do like. Ex US Army 2nd World War stock. A Ward le France unit now used as a wrecker.

During set up I spotted these early Scammel units. Used largely for railway purposes and local deliveries from stations.

St Patricks Day Parade part 2

This video gives you the full flavour of the Birmingham St Patricks Day Parade. Sunday 11th March 2012.

St Patricks Day Parade part 1

The Birmingham St Patrick's Day Parade took place on a glorious sunny Sunday 11th March.

The parade assembles and commences at the top by Camp Hill and then proceeds down Digbeth High Street to St Martins Bull Ring and returns to Camp Hill.

This has got to be the best attended yet, thousands and thousands of visitors lined every vantage point.

This is the third largest of its kind in the world, New York and Dublin are ahead of Birmingham.

Here we see assembled ready for 'the off', two Burrell road locomotives, the first owned by Paul Davis and the second belongs to Neil Gough.

Ah Ha, me on my little blue Ford from 1966.

Maurice and Janet Allely on the David Brown Cropmaster. Maurice is the founder of Allely's Heavy Haulage.

A nice example of a Ford Anglia, with a 100E side valve engine. Late 1950's.

Who remembers the old Birmingham Corporation Daimler's. Lovely restoration here.

Mr Bernard 'Gangster' Whitehouse with his wife's restored 1960's Fordson Dexta complete with passengers.

Tractor World at Malvern

Tractor World show at the Three Counties Show Ground, Malvern, Worcestershire, was held on the weekend of 3rd and 4th March.

Despite the cold weather, in particular on Sunday, it was a very busy show.

Here below is a photograph of the North Worcesetshire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club Stand. In the foreground we have Mr John Sergeants restored 'Fergie', coupled behind a Massey mower restored carefully by Chris and Matthew Bisp. There were other displays on the stand including the blue Ford 2000 owned by me, and the Deutz owned by Mr Joe Derby.

This contraption was built by Mr Vaughan Wright from Rugby for his young son William. It is based on a Wheel Horse garden tractor.

A general overview of Massey's and Fergie on the Ferguson Heritage Stand.

This is a general overview of the Blue Force and Ford/Fordson Association stand.