Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 21st November, 2011)

Two locomotives, must have been a long, heavy train. Looks like a lot of pollution, I'm surprised that it is still allowed these days.

Wow a double header in full steam what a lovely photo John brings back memories. What names are on the locos?

Double headed Black five's blasts their way towards Bolton, I always seem to miss these steam specials. Just a little further down the line I spent many hours as a child watching these from the Iron foot bridge, the gradient from Ince is a real task for both engines (and the fireman) captured beautifully by John.

Beautiful photo John,But the pollution?

working hard with a full head of smoke

What a fantastic photograph John.

I was walking around Worthington Lake last Sunday and I could see the smoke of a steam train as it went past heading towards Chorley

Then a few minutes later I could taste the nasty coal dust on my tongue as I breathed in the dirty smokey air.

I feel sorry for a hard working mothers who live next to the train lines and who have just hung out a line full of washing when these old fashioned monsters go flying past.

Wonderful photograph.

Less polluting than diesel though ?? and what about all the cars on the roads these days??
It isn't every day, after all.

Hi john ,

fantastic photo , id have loved to have seen it and ohotographed it XP2 black and white well done

Fantastic!

A wonderful photo John.

Pollution? There is far more pollution coming from the rear of your cars and lorries than ever came out of these engines.

I think quite a lot of that smoke is steam.

Brilliant! Iwish the sight and the smell of steam-trains was still ana everyday thing.

Spot on Tricia and Cyril. Pollution my backside, There is nothing better to see a steam train working hard in all its glory, the sound and smell is absolutely fantastic. John has captured this train from the moment it leaves the bridge on Ladies Lane at full power. Mick, I for one would have loved the smoke and dust from that steam train in my face, as for washing lines, well remember we used to have coal fired houses and factorys etc etc. These spesials are just one-offs, so stop mourning and take a step back and mavel at this fine example of British engineering at its best.

Well said, Colin. We are the country that gave steam power to the world. Thank God that we have so many preserved locomotives, (mainly due to the Barry scrapyard). Despite the tremendous volcanic 'pollution', loco drivers are not allowed to smoke on the footplate! How crazy is that??

The front Black 5 is the Lancashire Fusilier, can't make out the back one.
Great photo, thankyou from a steam enthusiast! BTW majority of the exhaust from a locomotive is steam except when stoking up.

Hello Britboy

Hope all is well with you. A bit early, but hope you have a good Christmas. As for me, I'm at the 'Bah Humbug!' stage already.

i were brought up on diesels but i must admit it is a great sight to see good picture john( if you want to see steam trains at wigan check out my footage on youtube type in MEGACULLIE it wont let you steam buffs down)

If you want to see Prince Charles Royal Train spewing out steam all over my camera just copy and past this link.

http://youtu.be/X_4sO_ayN2Y

My husband served his time on these spectacular machines. So for his 50th he was treated to a day driving one, he thought it was a really great pressy. I went on the front one only a couple of months ago. The smell is all part of the exciting trip. Great photo. We we lived in oz he worked testing the long haul iron ore diesel not a patch on the old UK steam trains.

Cullie, I've seen the steam and diesels trains on youtube, great film footage, well done.

Brings back great memories of yesteryear...brilliant photo

in br days there where only four named black fives
45154 lanarkshire yeomanry
45156 ayrshire yeomanry
45157 the glasgow highlander
45158 glasgow yeomanry
since steam on british rail ended in 1968 some other black fives have been named that have been preserved none of the above where preserved

That's a crackin' pic!

842 were built from 1934-1951, designed by William Stanier, the LMS 4-6-0 known as the class fives they could do anything from passenger to goods. BRs best engine until the end of steam in 1968.

Thank you for all the comments they are much appreciated. In answer to a couple of comments, I think the train was double headed because of the gradients between Manchester and Buxton rather than because of its length. The Buxton special earlier in the year (see my picture 5th March) was double headed from Manchester hence the muck on the front. Britboy the rear loco is 44871, another regular on steam specials.

What a great response to a steam photo.Some of us were lucky enough to travel on a steam train every day and it was a very special experience even then.Great photo,John.

45407 is "The Lancashire Fusilier"

I heard / saw the steam plume from the one about 3 weeks ago going under Boars Head bridge. Is there another on due in December and if so when and what time ?

Great picture! Really evocative;--I can almost smell the smoke!

Great to see the old ladies still going strong, crackin' photo and hats off to the Friends of Hindley Station, looks realy nice

I joined the train at Bolton. Fantastic trip. Lots of pictures too in colour and b/w plus a small video on YouTube.
What more could a man ask for.
Superb picture, John. Thanks for sharing.

Hubby loved this picture.good shot John....I could smell the smoke!

Enjoy it, im sure its not everday,you see history in motion.

if you want to know when next steam trains are type this into google UKsteam.info The next day they went to elr at bury with one empty coach.