LMS Route: Birmingham West Suburban Railway

Bournville Shed: mrb479

Two modern Johnson engines outside the shed in what looks like an official photo taken soon after it opened. Everything looks clean and polished, the only visible sign of grime being the inevitable sooty stain above the engine entrance. Of the five men, one is wearing a boater and two of the others what look like bowler hats. Their identity is not known. In the foreground is a siding for ash disposal wagons (see other photos of yard and shed plans), behind which stands a gas powered yard lamp, complete with crossbar for the lamplighter's ladder. The half visible buffer stop on the left edge of the picture marks the end of the track on the coaling stage embankment. It was probably a bright sunny day, as light is being strongly reflected from the tops of the engines, which would have both been painted in the then standard Midland Railway crimson lake shade of red. See image 'mrb479a' for a description of both engines.

John Dews

back