THE VIEW FROM THIS SIDE

Green

This is largely a sampler of diesel and electric traction from 1965 to 1969. Most of the traction types are in original colours, ie not necessarily literally GREEN. There is a bit of corporate blue just to show how boring it was. Many of the types seen have long disappeared, as have some of the locations.
Special items to look out for are 303s in original lined Glasgow Electric Blue, ancient Manchester to Altrincham LMS EMUs, 24s, 26s, 40s, the inevitable 55s, 85s, and the NBL Type 2s on the West Highland. Also worth mentioning is the last day of the 'Waverley' main line.
Locations are scattered far and wide. The show starts in Bourne End and progresses Northwards taking (in amongst many other places) Bedford, Peterborough, Ely, Grantham, Yarmouth, Crewe, Stalybridge, Stoke on Trent, York, Stranraer, Edinburgh, Inverness, Wick, Mallaig, Oban and even Riccarton Junction.

A small number of the pictures in this show also appear in others.

Samples from this show. These images are compressed. Actual images on the CD are high resolution:-

Stanningley, 29th April 1967. The 1335 Leeds Central to Bradford Exchange pauses. The signalbox is at right angles to the railway.
The station here was closed shortly afterwards and replaced by New Pudsey.
 
 
 
 
 

Helmsdale, 6th June 1967. D5125 has moved up  the platform, and the crew look on as the 0610 Inverness to Wick/Thurso arrives behind a class 26. A somewhat robust token exchange is taking place. The crews changed over here.
 
 
 

Bourne End, 22nd August 1966. In search of the Marlow Donkey. The nameboard proudly states this is where you get off for the latter named place. A single unit GRCW unit, complete with original speed whiskers, forms the 1124 High Wycombe to Maidenhead, in the days before the line was cut back from its Northern extremity. Fire buckets and GW cast iron on the platform, and a pushchair is being absorbed whilst an anxious lady plus shopping bag make a late bid for the train.

 
 
 

Ely, 13th August 1966. Class 31 D5551 and an unidentifiable up train, maybe it is a Kings Lynn to Liverpool St train.
The driver is taking an interest anyway. A  Met-Cam DMU lurks to right, and on the left is a DM shunter of debatable class.

Lubenham, on the Market Harborough to Rugby  line, 4th June 1966. This was the last day of the service on this route. The last Westbound train to call at this little station was the 1818 Peterborough East to Rugby, seen leaving with the 24 adorned with a simple wreath. No crowds giving it a good send off, then.
 
 


 
 

Rugby Midland, 1st June 1966. An AL6 (as they were then called) and a demonstration train of new Mark 2s. Closer inspection reveals a set of steps leading up to the cab, a tail lamp where it shouldn’t be, and bunting hanging from the lamp post. Finally, there are two railway suits sitting at a table  - are they selling tickets or just waiting for some one to play cards with?
 
 
 

Back