tarboat's photos

I took a one week tour of Britain by rail in early June and experienced the railways across this small country. Aberdeen is surprisingly busy at 9.30pm with the centre of attention being the two uprated and refurbished class 73 electro-diesels on the sleeper service to London. These were exchanged for a class 90 electric at Edinburgh.

Whilst coal mining at Fox Clough, Colne, dates back as far as the 17th century, the Engine Pit was developed in 1832 by the executors of John Hargreaves. A large pumping (and possibly winding) engine was erected in this stone building and the colliery worked the Lower Mountain and Union seams at a depth of 183 feet. The pit was abandoned in 1872 and the enginehouse has slowly deteriorated since then. It has probably survived due to its hidden and inaccessible location.

Thoresby Colliery headstocks in the last week of production in July 2015.

Bronze die plate with the name and location of the Vernon Brick Company that was used in the brick press at their works at Park Pit, Poynton.

Robey winder at the Florence ironstone mine at Egremont in Cumbria.

What the hell does that mean? Corporate bollocks at its best once again. Seen near Nottingham this afternoon.

57 303 rests at the buffer stops in Penzance having delivered the Night Riviera sleepers right on time.

Looking into a shop window in Penzance.

One way to escape from the platforms at Bristol Temple Meads station.

Dust extraction and preheater tower at the Hanson (Heidelberg) cement works at Clitheroe. The chimney at the top was at an angle due to storm damage.

In 1824 this small limekiln for the use of the Whitehaven Town & Harbour Trustees was built on the outside of the fort protecting the harbour. It was probably constructed with sandstone blocks taken from the floor of the fort. It seems to be used as a car park these days.

Disused baths at site of Risehow Colliery, Flimby, which closed in 1966. This was one of the most northerly pits in the West Cumbria coalfield.

The old Cleator Moor Co-op building has changed use but the original identity is still just legible on the gable end. This building was drawn by L S Lowry in the 1950s. www.artvalue.com/image.aspx?PHOTO_ID=1310516

When JCB opened the first floor visitor centre at its Rocester HQ the weight of the larger excavators was too much for the structure. The chosen solution was this full size model in a wireframe form. Apparently, painting this model used three times as much paint as would have been used on the real thing!

The Band Room at Low Mill, Farndale, North Yorkshire, was built for the local silver band in the 1920s. It now serves as a village hall and also as a 100 seat concert venue which sees a wide range of top acts from the folk, country, roots and Americana scene.

Gas storage in the by-product plant at Monckton coke works which plant closed in December 2014 soon after this photo was taken.

Looking down into the shaft. Humble patent detaching hook above the cage at the Florence Ironstone Mine.

Another June day in the north west of England.