LMS Route: Birmingham West Suburban Railway

Bournville Shed: mrb11a

This close up of image 'mrb11' was included to show the dress of a MR fireman in 1919 as well as the type of shovel used. The 'blade' had a curved cutting edge to assist in penetrating the coal and flared side walls to assist in holding the coal in place. Tender locomotives would use a shovel with a standard length of handle whilst tank engines, being more confined, had shorter handle allowing the fireman to manoeuvre them inside the restricted area of the cab.

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