34092 'City of Wells' 1953
34092 at Whitstable on the 09.58 to Ramsgate (presumably ex Victoria) on 18th July 1953.
34092 was a Stewarts Lane engine at the time and a frequent performer on the Golden Arrow. Just above the nameplate are the 3 brackets that held the large arrow and unusually the dirt shadow of the golden arrow can be made out (The Shadow of the Golden Arrow - sounds like a 1950s swashbuckler starring Errol Flynn!).
Also note the circular covers to the sandbox fillers hanging open. Hinged at the bottom, this often occurred and they were subsequently changed to the sliding ones more commonly seen.
34092 had gone new to Stewarts Lane in September 1949 but with electrification of the eastern section it was reallocated to Salisbury on 26th May 1961 where it stayed until withdrawal on 29th November 1964.
When new, it was named simply 'Wells' but the city council felt this to be rather abrupt and so it was changed to 'City of Wells' in March 1950.
My father was a city councillor at the time of its naming but he died before I thought to ask him if he attended the naming ceremony which was held in Wells. As the youngest councillor, he carried the mace at ceremonies and had to swear an oath declaring that he would give his life in protecting the mayor.
I am one who is normally suspicious of authority and their petty regulations, but I think that one is reasonable!
34092 'City of Wells' 1953
34092 at Whitstable on the 09.58 to Ramsgate (presumably ex Victoria) on 18th July 1953.
34092 was a Stewarts Lane engine at the time and a frequent performer on the Golden Arrow. Just above the nameplate are the 3 brackets that held the large arrow and unusually the dirt shadow of the golden arrow can be made out (The Shadow of the Golden Arrow - sounds like a 1950s swashbuckler starring Errol Flynn!).
Also note the circular covers to the sandbox fillers hanging open. Hinged at the bottom, this often occurred and they were subsequently changed to the sliding ones more commonly seen.
34092 had gone new to Stewarts Lane in September 1949 but with electrification of the eastern section it was reallocated to Salisbury on 26th May 1961 where it stayed until withdrawal on 29th November 1964.
When new, it was named simply 'Wells' but the city council felt this to be rather abrupt and so it was changed to 'City of Wells' in March 1950.
My father was a city councillor at the time of its naming but he died before I thought to ask him if he attended the naming ceremony which was held in Wells. As the youngest councillor, he carried the mace at ceremonies and had to swear an oath declaring that he would give his life in protecting the mayor.
I am one who is normally suspicious of authority and their petty regulations, but I think that one is reasonable!