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.