1959/08/00.01. (138) My first ever colour slide! It was taken from Winter Hill near Marlow in Buckinghamshire and, like all of my early pictures, using an Ilford Sportsman. The train is an ex-Great Western push-pull 'Auto train' and the loco is a 14xx 0-4-2T. Known locally as 'The Marlow Donkey' it connected Maidenhead with Bourne End and Marlow. August 1959.

1959/08/30.01 Collett 2-6-2T 8106, rebuilt in 1938 from an earlier Churchward 5100 class. Kidderminster, 30th August, 1959.

1959/09/12.01. (179) Ex. GWR 0-4-2T 1434 sits in the sun at St. Blazey shed in Cornwall. 12th September, 1959.

1959/09/12.02. (122) Castle class 4-6-0 5055 EARL of ELDON at Par in Cornwall on the 12th September, 1959.

1959/09/12.03. (110) Hall class 4-6-0 4976 WARFILED HALL and 0-6-0PT 8733 at Par, Cornwall. 12th September, 1959.

1959/09/12.04. (91) Approaching the Royal Albert Bridge from the Cornish side. 12th September, 1959.

1959/09/12.05. (95) Going on to the single line to cross the Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash. 12th September, 1959.

1959/09/12.06. (90) Crossing the Royal Albert Bridge from the Saltash side. 12th september, 1959.

1959/09/12.07. (96) Prairie tank 5523 takes water at Plymouth North Road. 12th September, 1959.

1959/09/13.01. (154) Collett 0-6-0 3215 on Taunton shed, Somerset. 13th September, 1959.

1959/10/04.01. (154) 5800 class 0-4-2T 5818 at Swindon Works. 4th October, 1959

1959/10/04.02. (172) 2251 class 0-6-0 2278 at Swindon on the 4th October, 1959.

1959/10/04.03. (111) Hall class 4-6-0 4963 RIGNALL HALL at Swindon Works. 4th October, 1959

1959/10/04.04. (163) King class 4-6-0 012 KING EDWARD VI sparkles at Swindon Works on the 4th October, 1959.

1959/10/04.05. (151) Awaiting reunification with its tender after overhaul at Swindon Works, Castle class 4-6-0 4083 ABBOTSBURY CASTLE. 4th October, 1959

1960/01/10.01. (197) Welcome to the 'swinging sixties'! My first jaunt of the new decade was another trip to Swindon Works. However, the future is not very bright for Hawksworth 0-6-0PT 1509 as it awaits its fate in the scrap road on the 10th January, 1960. The 1960s would see the final elimination of steam on B.R., but, when this picture was taken, Evening Star had yet to be built!

1960/01/10.02. (134) 2-6-2Ts 3100-3104 had 5'3" driving wheels and 3100 and 3103 are seen here at Swindon on the 10th January, 1960.

1960/01/10.03. (148) 5700 class 0-6-0PT 7705 at Swindon on the 10th January, 1960.

1960/02/21.01 GW 'dukedog' class 4-4-0 9014 in store at Wellington. 21st February, 1960

1960/02/21.02 (248) Ex GWR 'Dukedog' 4-4-0 9004 in store round the back of Wellington (84H) shed. 21st February, 1960

1960/02/21.03 (184) Welshpool and Llanfair Railway 2'6" gauge 0-6-0T 822 THE EARL in store at Oswestry Works. 21st February, 1960

1960/02/21.04 (157) Most of the pictures in this early series were taken on Sunday excursions run by the Home Counties Railway Club to which I belonged. Other Club members are seen here queueing to 'cab' the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway 2'6" gauge 0-6-0T 822 THE EARL stored at Ostwestry Works. Are you amongst them? 21st February, 1960

1960/02/21.05 (157) Welshpool and Llanfair Railway 2'6" gauge 0-6-0T 823 THE COUNTESS in store at Oswestry Works. 21st February, 1960

1960/04/18.01 (140) Approaching Harlech with the famous castle on the skyline. 18th April, 1960.

1960/04/18.02 (147) Barmouth Bridge as seen from the train after leaving Barmouth station. 18th April, 1960.

1960/04/18.03 (159) Morfa Mawddach was still known as Barmouth Junction in those days. A train can be seen crossing Barmouth Bridge in the distance. 18th April, 1960.

1960/04/30.01 (172) The Festiniog Railway Society annual special train from London to Minffordd and Portmadoc was hauled from London to Shrewsbury by Hawksworth County class 4-6-0 1021 COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY in 1960. She is seen here at Shrewsbury where an interesting combination of a Manor and a Dukedog took over. 30th April, 1960.

1960/04/30.02 (179) The Festiniog Railway Society special train for Minffordd and Portmadoc approaching Barmouth behind a Manor and a Dukedog. 30th April, 1960.

1960/04/30.03 (157) Manor class 4-6-0 7827 LYDHAM MANOR on the Festiniog Railway Society annual special train to Minffordd and Portmadoc takes water at Barmouth. The train was double-headed from Shrewsbury by the Manor and Dukedog 4-4-0 9014. 30th April, 1960.

1960/04/30.04 (151) 'Dukedog' class 4-4-0 9014 at Barmouth. It was working the Shrewsbury - Portmadoc leg of the Festiniog Railway Society's annual special train from London, piloted by 7827 LYDHAM MANOR. 30th April, 1960.

1960/04/30.05 (173) The tender of the pilot engine, 7827 LYDHAM MANOR can just be seen in front of train engine Dukedog class 4-4-0 9014 at Barmouth. The pair were working the Welsh leg of the annual Festiniog Railway Society special train from London to Minffordd and Portmadoc having taken over from County class 4-6-0 1021 COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY at Shrewsbury. 30th April, 1960.

1960/05/01.01. (114) Ex. GWR dock shunter 0-6-0PT with outside cylinders 1368 at Weymouth shed (82F). 1st May, 1960.

1960/09.01 The Talyllyn Railway Society used to run a special train from London to Towyn at the end of September each year. In 1960, the train was headed from Paddington to Shrewsbury by 4700 class 2-8-0 4700 and this is the train prior to departure.

1960/09.02 Approaching Shrewsbury, the Talyllyn Railway Society special passed Hall class 4-6-0 6916 MISTERTON HALL heading south. Judging by the green coaches visible in the train, it was bound for somewhere on the Southern Region. September, 1960

1960/09.03 At Shrewsbury, the Talyllyn Railway Society headboard was removed from 4700 class 2-8-0 4700 that had brought the train from London. September, 1960

1960/09.04 At the other end of Shrewsbury station, 'Dukedog' 4-4-0 9017 and 4300 class 2-6-0 7330 had backed on to the Talyllyn Railway Society special train ready for the onward journey to Towyn. September, 1960

1960/09.05 (5) The 1960 Talyllyn Railway Society special from London to Towyn was hauled by 'Dukedog' class 4-4-0 9017 and 4300 class 2-6-0 7330 from Shrewsbury onwards. The pair are seen here at a water stop at Welshpool. September, 1960

1960/09.06 'Dukedog' class 4-4-0 9017 pauses at Welshpool with the Talyllyn Railway Society special train from London to Towyn in September, 1960.

1960/09.07 Manor class 4-6-0 7819 HINTON MANOR, but where? Cemmes Road has been suggested - and confirmed. The fireman is leaning out to drop the single line tablet onto the tablet catcher. September, 1960. Many thanks to all those who have helped me to identify the location.

1960/09.08 Water stop at Dovey Junction. The 1960 Talyllyn Railway Society special train from London to Towyn was double headed from Shrewsbury by 'Dukedog' 4-4-0 9017 and 4300 class 2-6-0 7330. The 2-6-0 took water at Dovey Junction. September, 1960

1960/10/01.01 The first of the special trains run by the Home Counties Railway Club was from London Paddington to Swindon Works on Sunday, the 1st October, 1960. The motive power was, appropriately, 9F class 2-10-0 92220 EVENING STAR which had been built at Swindon only six months earlier. It was the last steam locomotive to be built for British Railways. The train paused briefly in the station at Swindon before proceeding into the Works yard.

1960/10/01.02 Another view of 9F class 2-10- 92220 EVENING STAR at Swindon with the Home Counties Railway Club special from London on the 1st October, 1960. This picture shows the train in the Works yard.

1960/10/01.03 The scrap lines at Swindon Works were always a depressing spot, but one could sometimes see a few interesting locomotives before their final dispatch to that great engine shed in the sky. This is 'Dukedog' class 4-4-0 9015 awaiting its fate on the 1st October, 1960.

1960/10/01.04 One that escaped the cutter's torch was this Dean Goods 0-6-0 2516. Now on display at the Swindon 'Steam' Exhibition, it was looking rather sorry for itself when seen at Swindon Works on the 1st October, 1960. The Dean Goods class were originally introduced in 1883.

1960/10/01.05 There is a 1361 class 0-6-0ST preserved at Didcot, but this is not the one. This is the first of the class, 1361, awaiting its fate at Swindon works alongside one of the G.W.R. diesel railcars. 1st October, 1960

1960/10/01.06 Castle class 4-6-0 4073 CAERPHILLY CASTLE was another locomotive to escape the ultimate fate as it was to become an exhibit at London's Science Museum. On the 1st October, 1960, however, all this was in the future and the loco looks somewhat sad dumped at Swindon Works.

1960/10/01.07 Inside Swindon Works, the replic broad gauge Great Western NORTH STAR. This is also now at the new 'Steam' Exhibition at Swindon. 1st October, 1960

1960/10/01.08 Star class 4-6-0 4003 LODE STAR preserved at Swindon Works, but not in a very accessable position for photography. However, by climbing up on something or other and poking the camera over a wall, I managed to get a shot of sorts! 1st October, 1960

1960/10/01.09 Back outside the Works at Swindon, 9F class 2-10-0 92220 EVENING STAR is ready to return to London Paddington with the Home Counties Railway Club special on the 1st October, 1960.

1960/10/01.10 Before setting off back to London with the return Home Counties Railway Club special, the cab of 9F class 2-10-0 92220 EVENING STAR was open to visitors. 1st October, 1960

1961/06.01 Waiting to leave Aberystwyth with another train to Devil's Bridge, Vale of Rheidol line 2 foot gauge 2-6-2T No.9 PRINCE OF WALES. June, 1961.

1961/06.02 Devil's Bridge is the upper terminus of the Vale of Rheidol 2 foot gauge line from Aberystwyth. 2-6-2T No.9 PRINCE OF WALES waits to depart back down to Aberystwyth in June, 1961.

1961/08.01 Great Western 1400 class 0-4-2T 1434 on shed at Exeter appears to be missing a pair of driving wheels. August, 1961

1961/08.02 0-6-0 pannier tank 5412, like the 1400 in the previous picture, is somewhat lacking in the wheels department. Exeter, August, 1961

1961/08.03 Heading for somewhere in the West Country, Hall class 4-6-0 4993 DALTON HALL arrives at Exeter St. David's from the east. August, 1961

1961/09.01 On a September evening in 1961, a G.W. 14xx class 0-4-2T arrives at Bourne End from Maidenhead. The train will reverse here and continue to Marlow with the loco pushing the auto coach.

1961/09.02 Bourne End used to be a junction on the Maidenhead - High Wycombe line until the section to High Wycombe was closed around 1970 and the line truncated at Bourne End. It was still a junction in 1961, however, and the auto train reversed here and was driven from the cab at the end of the coach. September, 1961.

1961/09.03 Seeing my interest, the driver of the auto-train invited me for a cab ride in the auto-coach as we headed down the branch line to Marlow. September, 1961.

1961/09.04 Known locally as the 'Marlow Donkey' this is the one coach auto train being driven from the cab in the coach as it approaches Marlow on a September evening in 1961.

1961/09.05 The evening shadows are already forming at Marlow on a September evening in 1961. A G.W. 14xx class 0-4-2T is waiting to work the auto-train back to Bourne End where it will reverse and be driven from the auto-coach for the rest of the run to Maidenhead.

1962/02/14. On its way from its home on the Cambrian to its new home on the Bluebell Line, Great Western 'Duke-Dog' 4-4-0 9017 spent the night at Old Oak Common (81A) Shed in London. This may be one of the last photographs of this engine on B.R. metals in its B.R. days. 14th February, 1962.

1962/06.01 Great Western and Great Central Joint Notice at Haddenham, Bucks. Although on the Great Western route from Paddington to Birmingham, Woverhampton and beyond, the section between Northolt Junction near West Ruislip, and Ashendon Junction to the north of Haddenham, was administered jointly by the G.W. and G.C. lines. June, 1962.

1962/06.02 Haddenham Station on the Great Western / Great Central Joint Line. Although on the Great Western route from Paddington to Birmingham, Woverhampton and beyond, the section between Northolt Junction near West Ruislip, and Ashendon Junction to the north of Haddenham, was administered jointly by the G.W. and G.C. lines. June, 1962.

1963/04/20.R919a On its first public run in private ownership, Alan Pegler's famous L.N.E.R. pacific 4472 FLYING SCOTSMAN shortly after passing Wellington on the way from Paddington to Ruabon with the 1963 Festiniog Railway Society special train to Minffordd. At Ruabon, 4472 was replaced by a pair of G.W.R. 'Manor' class 4-6-0s for the rest of the journey through Wales. 20th April, 1963.

1963/04/20.R920 A pair of G.W.R. 'Manor' class 4-6-0s, 7827 LYDHAM MANOR and 7819 HINTON MANOR approaching the water stop at Corwen with the 1963 Festiniog Railway Society special train to Minffordd and Portmadog. The pair had taken over from Alan Pegler's 4472 FLYING SCOTSMAN at Ruabon. 20th April, 1963.

1963/04/20.R921 Nearing the end of its run from London's Paddington station, the 1963 Festiniog Railway Society special train to Minffordd and Portmadoc approaches Penrhyndeudraeth behind G.W.R. 'Manor' class 4-6-0s 7827 LYDHAM MANOR and 7819 HINTON MANOR. The train had been worked from London to Ruabon behind Alan Pegler's famous L.N.E.R. pacific 4472 FLYING SCOTSMAN; this was its first public run since Alan bought it from B.R. on the 14th January that year. 20th April, 1963.

1963/07.R1071. 0-4-0WT SHANNON on display at Wantage Road station in July, 1963. Shannon was built in 1857 by George England for the Sandy and Potton Railway; it cost £800. It was sold to the London & North Western Railway in 1862, had an unsuccessful two week trial on the Cromford and High Peak Railway before becoming a works shunter at Crewe Works. The name 'Shannon' was aquired here in 1872. Six years later, SHANNON was sold to the Wantage Tramway for £365.8s.1d who renamed her 'Jane'. When the Wantage Tramway closed in 1946, Jane was purchased for £100 by the GWR who re-instated the name SHANNON and placed her on display at Wantage Road. The only surviving standard gauge George England engine, 'Shannon' now belongs to the National Collection and can be seen at the Didcot Railway Centre.

1963/07.R1073. Castle class 4-6-0 7025 SUDELEY CASTLE takes water from Goring Troughs between Reading and Didcot with a Paddington to Worcester express. July, 1963.

1963/07.R1074. The 'Blue Pullman' high speed all first luxury diesel trains were introduced in 1960 and ran from London St. Pancras to Manchester and London Paddington to Bristol. The Western Region sets also had second class accommodation. Forerunners of today's HSTs, this is the 'Bristol Pullman' passing over Goring Troughs in July, 1963. These units were all withdrawn by 1973, none being preserved.

1963/12/08.R1236 [367] A Clan at Swindon! B.R. Standard class 6P 4-6-2 72006 CLAN MACKENZIE at Swindon on the 8th December, 1963. The loco had been brought down from its home base of 12A, Carlisle (Kingmoor), to work a Home Counties Railway Society special train from Paddington.

1964/06.R1556. An ex GWR ‘Collett Goods’ 22xx class 0-6-0 rusts quietly in a siding. I think it's Machynlleth; can anyone confirm this? June, 1964. Phil Work writes : Confirm as Machynlleth. Thanks, Phil.

1964/06.R1557. Minus its numberplate, an ex GWR ‘Collett Goods’ 22xx class 0-6-0 ends its days at the end of a siding. I think it's Machynlleth; can anyone confirm this? June, 1964. Phil Work writes : Confirm as Machynlleth. Thanks, Phil.

1964/06.R1558. A sad and sorry sight towards the end of steam was the line of withdrawn locomotives stored at various sheds around the country. This is a line of ex Great Western ‘Collett Goods’ 22xx class 0-6-0s at, I think, Machynlleth. Can anyone confirm this? June, 1964. Phil Work writes : Confirm as Machynlleth. Thanks, Phil.

1964/06.R1559. Two trains are getting ready to depart Aberystwyth for Devil's Bridge on the 2' gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway. On the left is No.8 LLYWELYN with a Gainsborough Model Railway Society special, and on the right is No.9 PRINCE OF WALES with a regular service train. Both locos are 2-6-2Ts and they were built by the GWR at Swindon Works following its take over of the line. June, 1964.

1964/06.R1560. Vale of Rheidol Railway 2’ gauge 2-6-2T No.8 LLYWELYN takes water on its way from Aberystwyth up to Devil’s Bridge with a Gainsborough Model Railway Society special train. June, 1964.

1964/06.R1561. With the Rheidol Valley in the background, Vale of Rheidol Railway 2' gauge 2-6-2T No.9 PRINCE OF WALES runs downhill with the return train from Devil's Bridge to Aberystwyth. June, 1964.

1964/06.R1562. An almost bird's eye view of the Rheidol Valley. The course of the Vale of Rheidol Railway can be seen on the opposite hillside with a train from Devil's Bridge to Aberystwyth just visible. June, 1964.

1964/06.R1563. A distant view of Vale of Rheidol Railway 2-6-2T No.9 PRINCE OF WALES and train as it makes its way down the Rheidol Valley with a train from Devil's Bridge to Aberystwyth. June, 1964.

1964/06.R1564. Vale of Rheidol Railway No.9 PRINCE OF WALES trundles down the gradient towards Aberystwyth with a train from Devil's Bridge in June, 1964.

1964/06.R1565. Vale of Rheidol Railway No.9 PRINCE OF WALES crosses a minor road with an ungated level crossing on its ways down to Aberystwyth with a train from Devil's Bridge. June, 1964.

1964/06.R1566. BR standard class 4 2-6-4T 80135 gets a local stopper away from Aberystwyth in June, 1964. Whereas the Cambrian lines were once the preserve of GWR locomotives, the transfer from the Western Region to the London Midland Region in 1963 saw the introduction of BR Standard class 4 designs.

1964/06.R1567. Of GWR Collett design, but built by BR in 1950, ‘Manor’ class 4-6-0 7822 FOXCOTE MANOR removes empty stock from the platform at Aberystwyth in June, 1964. Along with eight other Manors, 7822 survived into preservation; she still lives in Wales being based on the Llangollen Railway.

1964/06.R1568. Bulled up for the ‘Cambrian Coast Express’, ex Great Western ’Manor’ class 4-6-0 7803 BARCOTE MANOR at Aberystwyth in June, 1964. Although nine of the Manor class survived into preservation, sadly, 7803 wasn’t one of them; it was withdrawn in 1965 and scrapped by Bird’s in Bridgend.

1965/04.01 Opened in 1856, the G.W.R. station at Uxbridge Vine Street was closed 106 years later in 1962. This shot was taken in April, 1965, but it was demolished in 1969.

1965/04.02 Uxbridge Vine Street station, looking through an open doorway onto the station concourse in April, 1965.

1965/04.03 The station concourse at Uxbridge Vine Street as seen from the platform in April, 1965.

1965/04.04 Uxbridge Vine Street station. Opened by the G.W.R. in 1856, but looking very sorry for itself in April, 1965, two and a bit years after closure. This is a view of the platform as seen from the concourse.

1965/04.05 Uxbridge Vine Street. This station was at the end of a two mile branch line from Yiewsley and West Drayton on the Great Western main line. Opened in 1856, it closed to passenger traffic in 1962 and goods traffic in 1964. This view was taken in 1965 when the buildings and infrastructure was still there, albeit in a somewhat dilapidated state. The tracks, however, had by that time been lifted.

1965/04.06 Another view of the platform at Uxbridge Vine Street. It was an island platform, with a single track either side. Neither track had a run round loop, so trains had to reverse out so that the loco could run round and then propel the coaches back in again. An operation much simplified with the introduction of diesel railcars. However, even this did not save the line from closure which took place in December, 1962, two and a bit years before I visited in April, 1965.

1965/04/04.01 Spruced up for a Locomotive Club of Great Britain railtour which included the Somerset and Dorset line, ex L.M.S. 8F 2-8-0 48309 at Bath Green Park. This used to be Southern Region 71G, but, by the time I took this picture on the 4th April, 1965 it was Western Region 82F. Note the grounded coach body in the right background, and the GWR Pannier Tank. The coach on the left looks interesting, too.

1968/08/28.RD3023. Contrary to common belief, steam on British Railways didn't finish in August, 1968! It continued, albeit in only a small way, on the 2' gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge in West Wales. 2-6-2Ts No.8 LLYWELYN and No.7 OWEN GLENDOWER are seen here outside the last remaining steam shed on B.R. on the 28th August, 1968. Photograph by E.A.S.Cotton from the Adrian Jarvis collection.