|
Click
the thumbnail to view the full sized images, which measure 600 pixels on
the longest side, and are around 50k in size. Please
read my copyright notes if
you want to use them in any way
 I
paid several visits to Chasewater in the early 70s - to see a rake of
antique 6-wheel coaches trundling slowly along the somewhat shaky
permanent way, usually hauled by "Asbestos",
 a
rather nice little Hawthorne-Leslie 0-4-0ST, no. 2780 of 1909. (I did once
see the much more ancient Neilson "Alfred Paget" in action, but that's
another story). I renewed my acquaintance with the line from the 1990s -
inevitably, if steam was working, it was the
 Sentinel.
Not that I've anything against those interesting little locos, but it
would be nice to see a real engine in action... "Asbestos" (he used to
work for Turner and Newall) in the meantime was undergoing a prolonged
overhaul (the 6-wheelers are still undergoing restoration).
 The
aforementioned Sentinel hauled the train last time we visited - taking us
to the then eastern terminus at Chasewater Heaths. Soon after that trip,
the last stretch of line opened, to the new terminus at Chasetown (Church
Street) - and Asbestos returned to steam. We would have to pay the line
another visit...
I'd thought of going a little further
afield on this particular day, but the weather was dull and overcast -
perhaps a shorter trip, on the penultimate Sunday of the steam timetable -
fingers crossed...
...sure enough, Asbestos was in action. We
joined the 2.30pm train for the short ride, and, as on previous occasions,
decided to walk back (it's not far!) - returning in time to see, and
record, the departure of the next train (and then, of course, tea and cake
before the drive home).
Video Clip:
360 x 288, Windows Media
 |
The 3.45pm Asbestos heads away from
Brownhills West with the next train to Chasetown (Church Street)
1,313k; 60s |
Links:
Like these pages? Tell
me! - I might put some more up.
Back to index page |
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)