Shunting at Bilston, 1960
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Shunting at Bilston, 1960 by Alan Murray-Rust as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
There are currently over 7.5m images from over 14,400 individuals and you can help contribute to the project by visiting https://www.geograph.org.uk
Shunting at Bilston, 1960
Image: © Alan Murray-Rust Taken: Unknown
This view shows classic Great Western Railway shunting practice, with a 'dummy' wagon attached to the locomotive. This was standard practice at larger goods depots. The wagon contained a toolbox for shunters' tools and often basic rerailing equipment, and was equipped with long footboards and handrails for shunters to ride on. This was safer than the general practice of riding on the footsteps of the locomotive, particularly as the wagon was narrower than normal giving greater clearance when passing other vehicle. The Great Western Railway was the only major railway to use the practice on a widespread basis. There is no railway here, only the Midland Metro line, and all the industrial buildings have gone too http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2273048 .
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Image Location
Latitude
52.562531
Longitude
-2.070617