Railway Companies

Formed in 1847 this railway company lasted until 1922 when it was amalgamated into another larger company. The five lions on St George's cross is still the emblem of the city.

Fancy Light

On display at the National Railway Museum in York is the Duchess of Hamilton, a steam locomotive built in 1938. She is one of the most eye-catching exhibits, even her lights are specially crafted to match her streamlined livery. Contrast this with the fairly basic light shown yesterday. The Duchess has two of these fabulous front lights positioned either side of the smokebox indicating she is an express passenger train.

Head Code

A visit to the National Railway Museum always turns up something interesting. This light on one of the locomotives for example was not used to illuminate the track ahead, but to act as a code light so the signal man would know what type of train was approaching. Thus a passenger train could be distinguished from a freight train, and even the type of freight, livestock, perishable goods etc could be indicated.
Incidentally there is real threat that this museum could be closed in the next couple of years due to a government reduction in funding. If you feel this should not happen you may be interested in signing a petition here

S is for Stop

If you find yourself outside York Minster and wish to travel to the National Railway Museum, you can ask a passing train to Stop and take you there. The road train is beloved by boys of all ages, and a few girls too I expect.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

The Wizard Express

I managed to catch up with a local movie star recently. The steam locomotive Olten Hall is currently enjoying a new lease of life as Hogwarts Castle, and she called in to visit some young admirers at the National Railway Museum over the half term holiday. Sold for scrap in 1964(!) she is now much in demand to pull The Wizard Express excursions. The name change has led to 5972 becoming known in steam enthusiast circles as the Hall that thinks she is a Castle. Well why not!

Rocket Man

This replica of George Stephenson's innovative steam engine Rocket was built in 1979, and is currently in the National Railway Museum in York. Wonder if the original had a full stop on the nameplate. You can watch a video of the engine above in action here. 
The original Rocket was built in 1829 for trials held by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company to find the best locomotive to pull it's trains. Rocket reached speeds of around 25 miles per hours, beat it's rivals, and secured it's place in history.

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Full Steam Ahead

It took many years to train as a steam engine driver and after a visit to Mallard's cab I can understand why. This is just a small portion of the valves, levers, gauges and dials that the driver had to be utterly familar with. See here for further details of the long route to becoming a top link express driver on a locomotive like Mallard.

Trainspotting

Here is a clue to tomorrow's picture, can any railway enthusiasts out there name the locomotive from this picture? It is a steam loco, it is famous, and it is fast!

National Railway Museum

The National Railway Museum (NRM) in York has over 100 locomotives and over 200 other items of rolling stock. Some of the locomotive superstars are stored in the round as the museum is housed in a restored engine shed. Imagine a clock with a piece of track at each hour all facing inwards, and at the centre of the clock is a turntable. Any one of the locos can be moved onto the turntable and from there out of the museum onto the main line as there is a connecting track.
The eyecatching locomotive with the gold and red livery is the Duchess of Hamilton newly restored to opulent art deco re-streamlined condition. On the turntable is No 66 Aerolite built in 1869.