Black Five at Rose Bridge Junction Higher Ince
Photo: dk

Dated circa 1962 and taken at Rose Bridge Junction on the Whelley Loop line at Higher Ince. 45397 Black five Stanier built in 1936 by Armstrong Whitworth & Co. Ltd Works. 842 in total built for BR. Weight 75 tons. 45397 was one of only 46 still running when withdrawn at the end of steam in August 1968. Driving wheel 72". source: www.railuk.info/steam/getsteam The backs of houses of Belle Green Lane are in the distance - the end terrace is Elizabeth Street, and the lower end of that row is where the Springs Branch line crossed the road - and the rucks below the line show clearly. There are newer houses in the distance - Kendal Road. I wasn't here for this photo but I have stood on this spot and watched the engines go by, holding my Grandad's hand and, this close, the senses are blasted as the ground shakes and the noise and sheer size of it forces an involuntary backward step. The smell and the heat and then the rattling train and slowly it passes and great quiet descends. We shouldn't have been stood there though.