Pure Great Western
Caught by a low autumnal sun, nine vintage ex-GWR carriages form what used to be an annual outing on the main line from Didcot to Birmingham. For a few glorious years the GWS used to provide a completely authentic, historic train made up with Collett and Hawksworth coaches, notable for their many different styles and the underframe trussing. On the rear are two Super Saloons, 9112 Queen Mary and 9118 Princess Elizabeth. There was truly nothing like it, but it came to an end when BR demanded expensive ultrasonic testing of the wheels.
This year (the date was 6th October 1979) motive power was provided by two more of Didcot's residents, 7808 Cookham Manor and 5900 Hinderton Hall. Location is Nell Bridge in the Cherwell Valley where the water troughs used to be. The train is no more and the location is unrecognisable too, the once-tidy trackside completely overgrown by trees and bushes.
Best seen large.
Techy stuff: Taken on Ektachrome with an OM-2, 135mm lens; slide scanned. With apologies for just clipping the tail of the last carriage in the train.
© Copyright Steve Banks, no unauthorised use.
Pure Great Western
Caught by a low autumnal sun, nine vintage ex-GWR carriages form what used to be an annual outing on the main line from Didcot to Birmingham. For a few glorious years the GWS used to provide a completely authentic, historic train made up with Collett and Hawksworth coaches, notable for their many different styles and the underframe trussing. On the rear are two Super Saloons, 9112 Queen Mary and 9118 Princess Elizabeth. There was truly nothing like it, but it came to an end when BR demanded expensive ultrasonic testing of the wheels.
This year (the date was 6th October 1979) motive power was provided by two more of Didcot's residents, 7808 Cookham Manor and 5900 Hinderton Hall. Location is Nell Bridge in the Cherwell Valley where the water troughs used to be. The train is no more and the location is unrecognisable too, the once-tidy trackside completely overgrown by trees and bushes.
Best seen large.
Techy stuff: Taken on Ektachrome with an OM-2, 135mm lens; slide scanned. With apologies for just clipping the tail of the last carriage in the train.
© Copyright Steve Banks, no unauthorised use.