The Blue Pullman

The forerunner to our existing format for HS units. The Blue Pullman or the Midland Pullman was in the 1960's technically very advanced and a highly sought after service. I can remember these running from Wolverhapmptom Low Level, through Birmingham Snow Hill, stopping at Solihull the onwards to London Paddington. A suberb service at the time. Trouble is nobody thought to preserve the entire unit, sadly the motor car units were scrapped along with the kitchen car. However we are fortuate that many of the remaining cars are now in restoration and in use.

Evesham Steam Rally

I found these photographs of Darren Wardell's Fowler Road Roller recently. They were taken at the Evesham Steam Rally about four years ago, when young Chris Beale was on Darren's crew.

Sadly the engine is under restoration again and the Evesham Rally is no more.

The Royal Albert Bridge

The Royal Albert Bridge, built over the Taymar in 1859 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
A4 Pacific locomotive crosses the bridge at the statutory 15mph, this is the first time an A4 has crossed the bridge!

Festival of Britain, South Bank Exhibition

It has been a long time since I updated this blog, sorry folks, it has been out of my hands.

However, whilst clearing out some old books, I came across a brochure for the Festival of Britain, mainly at the South Bank Exhibition site. This was held during very austere years after the 2nd World War, and Britain was only just recovering. The year 1951.

I have scanned a couple of adverts I found to be very interesting from a recent historical point of view. Both relating to Ferguson Tractors, based in Coventry. Ferguson sadly no longer exist.

This second photo I believe was taken somewhere in the Coventry/Warwickshire area. I would love to find the location and also, is that tractor still in preservation? The registration number GKV does relate to the Coventry/Warwickshire area at that time. Answers please.

End of Season Road Run

The Astwood Bank 'End of Season' road run commenced on Saturday 29th October, and all assembled in the vintage yard of S.E. Davis & Son, then departed for the final resting place for the evening at the 'Wheelbarrow Castle'. There were of course the statutory refreshment halts en route.

Here we see the Fowler Road Locomotive of Michael Davies leaving the yard and into Edgioake Lane.

photo courtesy Andy Jenkins.

K7 Fowler ploughing engine 'Linkey' leaving the yard with Chris Beale at the regulator and crew for the day Ed Rollit and son Tom. Mark Jones, co owner of Linkey is seen here ensuring everything is OK.

photo Andy Jenkins.

Paul Davis at the wheel of Burrell locomotive, departing the yard with Neill Gough driving.

photo. Andy Jenkins

Miles Banks with crew departing with the Garrett locomotive complete with living van.

photo. Andy Jenkins

Yet another shot of 'Linkey' entering Edgioake Lane.

photo. Andy Jenkins.

All ready for the off. Engines assembling in the vintage yard.

photo. Andy Jenkins

Michael Davies's Fowler road loco taking on water at the first watering hole. Stock Green.

Dave Smith's Burrell locomotive 'Keeling' at rest at the Bird in Hand, Stock Green, Worcestershire.

Chris Beale and crew negotiate the lanes leading up to Stock Green.

Pete Beale and Val Peglar negotiate the road through Hollister Green, near Inkberrow with a lovely little roads train complete with diesel roller with a Fordson engine.

Also at Holberrow Green, 'Linkey'

Michael Davies at Holberrow Green.

Lucy Henman aboard her Nuffield Universal following the others.

Burrell locomotive 'Keeling' at Holberrow Green.

'Keeling' at Flyford Flavel, Worcestershire

photo. Andy Jenkins.

Chris Beale with crew members Ed and son Tom on 'K7 Linkey'

photo. Andy Jenkins.

At rest at the Bird in Hand, Miles Banks at the ready.

photo. Andy Jenkins

Fowler ploughing engine 'Linkey' entering Flyford Flavel.

photo. Andy Jenkins.

Chaos in the lanes. That is me in the Freelander sandwiched in between the Fowler train and Pete Beale's roller.

photo. Andy Jenkins.

Father and Son on the man stand of 'Linkey'

photo. Andy Jenkins.

Now this is Bill Cowley with his Model 'T' Ford. It is original and as he bought it from the USA. Still has US plates on the rear.

photo. Andy Jenkins.

At rest at the Bird in Hand, Stock Green, admiring Chris Beale's devotion in looking after 'Linkey'

photo. Andy Jenkins.

I must truly thank Andy Jenkins for his kind permission to publish some of his photos. Please do not repost for commercial interests.

HS2

Now you are perhaps wondering why I am writing about HS2. Let me say right here and now I am a strong supporter of HS2 and the benefits this nation will receive. Politicians now hold the key to the final decision, and we now have a new Transport Minister, and I am nervous. Under Phillip Hammond I felt that the project would indeed finally go ahead, all the way to the north. However I am now not so sure, we have a female at the helm, and watch the project go 'tits up'.

Here we have a photo of the facilities at Curzon Street, Birmingham in its hay day. All this is now derelict waste land, and ready for HS2.

If the project does get the green light, then the facade of the original Curzon Street station would be retained. Fortunately we do have some forward thinking planners. Conservationists have insisted that the structure remains, and indeed it must. Conservationists insisted like wise at St. Pancras station in London.

It is a great pity that when the British Railways board decided to rebuild Euston station in London, they failed to retain the old Euston Arch, I hope they fail to rest in their graves!

Southern Region BR

I have a certain fascination with Southern Region BR from the 1950's and 1960's.

We had family living in the 'Garden of England', Kent, and in those days in order to visit them, before the days of motorways etc., rail travel was the norm.

Looking at this footage remind's me of those days travelling out of London on what I always thought of as a modern railway.

Note the lack of health and safety in places and permanent ways gangs without the necessary safety of today.

Enjoy this wonderful footage, sadly without sound.

The Brighton Belle part 2

The Brighton Belle, first ran on January 1st 1933, is under restoration. An iconic piece of Southern Railways from the past.

Fortunately sufficient numbers of cars and stock remained hidden from the scrap man and a complete 5 car unit is now being restored in time for the 2012 London Olympics.

Now I understand that some modification are essential in order to gain a main line service ticket, further modifications are required to cater for disabled persons and the electric pick up shoe has also to modified.

However it would be truly wonderful to see the chocolate and cream Pullman livery back on rails.

Here we see our friends from Allely's in Brighton taking care of some of the stock due for restoration. I understand most of the work is being undertaken in Derby.

These photos are outside the Grand Hotel, Brighton.

The Brighton Belle

Introduced in 1933, the Brighton Belle in now under restoration.
I do have a strange fascination with early Southern Region electric traction.

Fortunately most of the stock failed to reach the scrap man and now a major project in under way.
It is hoped to have all units restored and given a main line ticket in time for the 2012 London Olympic Games.



brightonbelle.com

Lineside Fires

Oh dear, oh dear!

Early September locomotive daytime movement from York. 70013 Oliver Cromwell and 30777 Sir Lamiel just passing Doncaster, then disaster!

Ash pan problems in one or both locomotives created severe line side fires that effectively closed the entire length on the East Coast Main Line form Kings Cross to York for several hours.

Somebody got to pay for this.

OUCH!

British Pathe

The Titfield Thunderbolt.

What a movie, shot on the disused Camerton Line, south of Bath in the early 1950's.

It is a lovely piece of English countryside.

Go and visit some of the location at Freshfield, Monkton Coombe, Midford and Limpley Stoke.

Enjoy

TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT

Forest of Arden Ploughing Match

On Thursday 15th September 2011, the Forest of Arden Agricultural Society held its annual ploughing match, this time on land near Sherbourne, Warwickshire. There are many classes of tractors and implements used, from horticultural to present day. Trailed ploughs and mounted. Here is a small selection of photographs I managed to take.

This is Su Sumners on her Ransomes MG2 crawler. MG stands for market garden and these machines are from the early 1950's.

Another fine example of a pedestrian operated horticultural machine.

This is Willie Finnegan from Hall Green Birmingham on his Ferguson TE20

Ron Turner from the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club on his Ferguson TE20

Peter Summers of his Fordson Standard 'N'. This tractor has always remained in the family, it was owned by his grandfather.

Great Dorset Steam Fair 2011

This is always a spectacular sight on the openeing day of the fair. Note all the yellow vests, I am not quite sure what they would do if one of the loads came to grief; pick it up perhaps!

Great Dorset Steam Fair 2011

The 2011 Great Dorset Steam Fair was once again a tremendous success. The Static Vintage Tractor Section, under the able control of section leader Stuart Cotton was busy and organised very well.

The North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor & Engine Club also once again had a presence. We not only represent our own group, the the National Club as well.

Here we see our stand at the top of the tractor section. Jon Boyce and me were in attendance whilst Matty Bisp joined us later in the week. The stand had the kind loan of Matt's little horticultural tractors, a Wheelhorse and International Cub Cadet. Both attracted a great amount of interest.

A welcome overseas visitor was Eric Dechanet from Arandon, near Lyon, France. He was accompanied with his wife and daughter. His tractor, a 1957 Vendeuvre BOB500, won the coveted best Overseas Exhibit. Well done Eric.

An interesting exhibit with a hand/pto winch as an attachment.

1951 Howard Hoe. A market garden tractor owned by Eddie Spencer from Tipperary, Ireland.

1916 International Titan 10-20 from Co. Kilkenny, Ireland

1942 Fordson with a McConal Hedge Trimmer.

A general over view of the Dorset event, with the Salisbury road and fun fair in the background.

1952 Steyr from Austria, owned by Christian Holtz

Mr George McCleer form Co.Antrim aboard a restarted Ferguson TE20. This represents the Ferguson Heritage section.

Saturday night at the fair is something special. Here we have 'Billy Boy', a Aveling & Porter 5nhp Showmans Tractor. Owned by the Turner Bros. Thormanby, Yorks.

Some other general shots of the night time special features.

Locomotive 80078, on loan from Swanage Railway, is a 1954 built 2-6-4 T Standard Class 4. A Brighton built locomotive. The engine is brought up by road by courtesy of Allelys Heavy Haulage and they in turn give a demonstration in the heavy haulage arena of loading and unloading a railway locomotive.