A Royal Beginning (1844) Manchester Victoria Station opened its doors on January 1, 1844, marking the start of what would become a long and storied history. It holds the distinction of being the first station in the UK to be named “Victoria,” thanks to the special...
trains
And Now for Something Completely Different – Railway Reflections No.9
Douglas Earle Marshall, Locomotive, Carriage & Wagon Superintendent of the London Brighton & South Coast Railway was on a roll. The company was pleased with the success of his I3 class 4-4-2 tank engines, so much so that Douglas was given free reign to design...
Railway Reflection No8. – The Last Loco
In this case the last loco was not some last of its class high-performance main line express engine that once grabbed the headlines but a lowly tank locomotive that attracted little attention. On week ending 16 February 1952, British Railways officially withdrew...
Operation Pied Piper
During the early months of 1939, parents up and down the country received a letter from their local education authority advising them that they were in an area deemed at risk from bombing in the event of war, and that plans were being drawn up to evacuate children to...
Railway Reflection No.7 – BP VICTORIA
When Basford Gasworks, Nottingham, opened in the 1840s, railway wagons were moved around by means of capstans and wagon turntables. However, during the 1890s the works was extended to meet to growing demand for gas. As a result, the works railway system was...
Railway Reflection No.6 – Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, Orion
Tubize or not Tubize, that is the question. It was certainly the question facing the narrow gauge Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway during 2006. The Tubize in question was the 2-6-2T steam locomotive No.15 Orion. Built in 1948 by the Belgian firm S.A. Les...