Steam in the North West

When BR ran its '15 guinea Special' in August 1968 many believed that steam locos would quickly become a 'thing of the past'. Initially that seemed to be the case with the only exception being the famed A3 Class Pacific 4-6-2 'Flying Scotsman' whose owner had signed a contract with BR that allowed the locomotive to operate beyond that date. Change came in 1971 when BR trialled the operation of 'King' Class 4-6-0 6000 'King George V', then based at Bulmer's Hereford site, on a tour of the UK which confirmed the value of steam operation as a valuable aspect of publicity which the railways of the day desperately needed. Over time BR identified routes where steam traction could be operated as part of the new ethos. The lineside view has been captured by the author who was well placed to record many of these workings within the area and the wide variety of loco types whose owners have finally achieved the ambition of their locos joining the unique club of 'Steam Locomotives Working in the North West'.