8th February 2022 “Gone Forever – Images of BR Steam in the North of England (Part 1)” by Michael Smyth
Branch member Michael Smyth was inspired to take up photography after reading Colin Gifford’s book “Decline of Steam” and actively recorded the steam scene in his native Leeds area until it ended there in September 1967.
His talk to us on February 8th covered the period from August 1966 to September 1967 and began with views of Wakefield Kirkgate – gantries of semaphore signals and an unending procession of mineral trains in and out of Healey Mills Yard, serving the local collieries. Having the largest allocation of WDs in the country, the class featured strongly in these views along with the ubiquitous Fairburn 2-6-4 Tank engines which were consolidated on the Leeds/Bradford/Normanton area in their later years.
We were then treated to a wonderful selection of views around the area including evocative light-and-shade scenes in Manningham Shed, a Black 5 on the final steam working of The Devonian at Bradford Forster Square, three Fairburn 2-6-4s on the last of operation of Leeds Central station, 1st May 1967, and various views of the last three B1s in service – 61306, 61030 and 61337. Michael described his early spotting days in Kirkstall, along with numerous views of traffic on the four-track line, including 8Fs on the well known Heysham to Leeds tanker train.
We took a quick look at the Carnforth area which in 1967 still saw significant steam working, being between Crewe South and Carlisle sheds. Britannia 70023 ‘Venus’ was seen, along with views at Hest Bank of the chord to Bare Lane which at the time was busy with traffic from Heysham Docks.
Back to Leeds again for a lovely series of views in Holbeck shed, where District Motive Power Superintendent Tom Greaves ‘collected’ steam locomotives and kept them going in the Leeds area. One famous working was the 10.17 Leeds to Carlisle – always a Jubilee in the Summer of 1967 – which we saw behind 45562 ‘Alberta’ at Shipley, passing the unusual collection of distant signals at the Western end of the station.
The North-East was next, with fine views of 9F 90061 at West Hartlepool shed and its antiquated manual coal-loading facilities, Q6 No. 63395 at Sunderland and various of the then-commonplace J27s in the roundhouse. Some classic scenes of J27s 65892 and 65879 then followed at Ryhope and on the photogenic Silksworth Colliery branch.
We then returned to Yorkshire and Bradford Exchange to see the two Summer Saturday 08.20 departures (to Skegness and to Bridlington), and the last three B1s: 61306 working to Kings Cross, 61337 on a pick-up at Armley and 61030 running Engine and Brake. We concluded with some evocative scenes at Marsh Lane and, fittingly, Fairburn 2-6-4 No. 42152 on the 16.18 (Sunday) Bradford Exchange to Leeds on 1st October 1967, the last day of steam working in Leeds.
The meeting closed at 9.40 with a resounding show of appreciation to Michael for a wonderful evening of steam nostalgia and anticipation of Part 2.