Steam, Soot and Rust by Garratt Colin;

Author:Garratt, Colin;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: TRANSPORTATION / Railroads / History
ISBN: 4392541
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books
Published: 2015-11-29T16:00:00+00:00

A Stanier 8F passes a discarded street trolley, once a child’s pride and joy, many of these were built from the chassis of prams but as the motor car began to fill the streets the children’s trolleys became a hazard and began to disappear with them went the steam train another victim of the motor car. The example depicted here ended up — not uncharacteristically — at the bottom of an embankment where other items from yesterday’s treasures could be found.

Having enjoyed the animation of Newton Heath, we headed off towards the Eccles district of Manchester, to Patricroft where a further stud of live locomotives awaited our arrival. Here we were blessed with the sight of one of the massive 2-10-0 Standard 9F freight engines though, unfortunately, the engine was hemmed in at the back of the shed thereby rendering photography impossible. The engine had apparently worked in from Liverpool the previous week and had developed a fault resulting in withdrawal from service. In fine contrast, we found one of the only four named former LMS Black 5s, No. 45156 Ayrshire Yeomanry. I also made pictures of locomotives being coaled from the huge concrete tower which loomed high above the depot and the coal, falling down the chute into the engine’s tenders, created a sound audible over a mile radius.

The last of the depots visited that day was Bolton which not only retained an active steam fleet but was noted for keeping it in spotless condition. Set in a sea of Coronation Street houses, Bolton Motive Power Depot was approached by traversing narrow streets across which hung lines of decorative and varied washing. These streets were never designed for the motor car. Getting out of the car, my companion dutifully lifted each of these high enough to enable me to drive underneath without incurring any wrath from the owner. Nevertheless, with each line one almost expected to see the face of Ena Sharples glowering at us through the well–polished windows.

We traversed the street without being confronted and entered the depot. It was now late afternoon and many of the engines were being lit up for the new week’s workings as they were diagrammed to leave the shed in the early hours of Monday morning. The smoke oozing up through the roof vents formed a grimy pall, which hung high over the depot and could be seen all over the town. Here again there was much to set down on film. Light repairs were still being undertaken in a small bay attached to the shed. Fitters working with carbide lamps on the valve gear made fascinating pictures. Time was now running short and with the gathering dusk came a steady rain. Out on the main line a Black 5 stood starkly against the darkening sky, contrasting beautifully with the Lancastrian backdrop of slate roofs and factory chimneys. A pall of steam and smoke rose from the engine as, in the thickening gloom, the lights of the houses began to appear, the atmosphere heightened and the scene acquired a rare depth.

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