tarboat's photos

Against the light on the bank out of Foxfield Colliery with 'Ugly' in charge during the early morning photo charter. The leaking steam didn't help, but the result was pleasing enough.

The Wyrley Branch canal was originally northern end of the main line of the Wyrley and Essington Canal when it opened in 1795 to a wharf close to Cannock Lodge Colliery. It became a branch shortly after when the extension from Sneyd to Huddlesford on the Coventry Canal was completed in 1797. Several further branches were constructed off this line, but all had fallen derelict by 1954 when this section was abandoned. This view is looking into the top lock of the Sneyd flight.

The big freight finale on the Saturday of the Foxfield gala. Ugly, banked by Whiston and Bagnall 2 powers up the bank out of the coliery yard.

The North Wales Coast Express from Crewe to Holyhead takes a very odd route in first heading for Manchester before going to Warrington and Chester. At an early stage in the journey A4 'Union of South Africa' is seen passing Nether Alderley, already 10 minutes late. On the other hand it was sunny!

Bagnall No.2 and banked by crane tank ' Dubsy' climb the bank out of Foxfield Colliery at the Foxfield Railway steam gala.

Livestock in the way on the Burma Mines Railway as 1927 built Bagnall No.42 heads a freight climbing the valley towards Lopah.

6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' in fresh green livery is still accelerating away from the Wilmslow stop as it passes Handforth with the Scarborough Flyer. Needless to say it was once again dark, dull, and wet.

Nissen hut accommodation at Rattlesden Airfield, Suffolk. This airfield opened in 1942 and from 1943 to 1945 was home to the B-17 Flying Fortresses of the US 708th, 709th, 710th and 711th Bombardment Squadrons of the 447th Bomb Group (Heavy).

Commemorative plaques on the control tower at Rattlesden Airfield.

The Wyrley Branch canal was originally northern end of the main line of the Wyrley and Essington Canal when it opened in 1795 to a wharf close to Cannock Lodge Colliery. It became a branch shortly after when the extension from Sneyd to Huddlesford on the Coventry Canal was completed in 1797. Several further branches were constructed off this line, but all had fallen derelict by 1954 when this section was abandoned. This view is looking into the bottom lock at Sneyd Junction.

The driver has time to glance towards the photographer as QJ 2144 nears the summit of the climb from Liushu towards Nancha with a heavy timber train. There is another QJ immediately behind and another banking the train. The noise was fantastic.

The Albert Hall, on Peter Street in central Manchester, was built in 1910 as a Wesleyan Mission Hall. The baroque and gothic design with a frontage in buff faience is the work of architect W.J. Morley. It is listed Grade II but has been largely unused for several years.

The uncovering of the wall facing onto the entrance to Palace Yard at the side of 34 Mill Street has stirred up quite a bit of public interest. A site meeting was held to brief interested local people councillors onthe likely history of what can be seen, and also what future works are to be undertaken. Andrew Ramshall, senior conservation officer, is seen here addressing the meeting. The poor state of the stonework requires the rendering to be replaced, but hopefully the evidence of the building history currently exposed will be recorded for posterity. It is possible that the 'date' stone will be left exposed. The provenance of tthe 'date' is doubtful, as it would almost certainly have been carved in roman numerals if it dated from the 15th century.

I thought they delivered parcels.

The Fenne power station at Völklingen provides both electricity and district heating using coal, and also 42mw of coal mine gas powered generation. This view from the top of the Cowper Stoves at the Völklingen blast furnaces.

Mallet to the fore at Wernigerode depot on the Harz system.

Circular phenomenon at Combs, Suffolk.

Whatever!