Photos

I have turned the clock back to 1968 with this shot of Stanier 8F number 48448 which had just arrived back at its home depot at Rose Grove in Burnley, having worked a train from the Yorkshire coal fields. As can be seen, the engine was in excellent external condition. This was due in no small way to a band of enthusiasts who were to be seen regularly polishing the engine when it was not 'on the road'.

The date, 10th July 1968 when I took this photograph was only a few weeks before steam finally ended on British Railways, and Rose Grove along with Carnforth and Lostock Hall depot's were the last to operate steam locomotives, all three finally closing on 8th August 1968. The M65 motorway now passes through the site of the depot.

The film used for the shot was Kodak Plus-X and it was a very dull overcast day.