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.