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Foxfield Road, ST. HELENS, WA9 5GW

May 1980 was the 150th anniversary of the original Rainhill Trials which was won by the "Rocket". In May 1980 British Rail re-enacted these trials on the same stretch of the Liverpool to Manchester Railway. Western Courier was a diesel hydraulic from the Western Region of BR.

May 1980 was the 150th anniversary of the original Rainhill Trials which was won by the "Rocket". In May 1980 British Rail re-enacted these trials on the same stretch of the Liverpool to Manchester Railway. 25298 was a BR built mixed traffic loco with a Sulzer engine, seen here demonstrating the latest car transporter.

May 1980 was the 150th anniversary of the original Rainhill Trials which was won by the "Rocket". In May 1980 British Rail re-enacted these trials on the same stretch of the Liverpool to Manchester Railway. Deltic 55015 "Tulyar" hauls 86214 (the modern day "Sans Pareil") past the crowds. The Deltics were diesel electrics built by English Electric at their Vulcan Works in Newton-Le-Willows, just up the line from here. They were introduced in 1961 and worked on the East Coast Mainline until 2 January 1982.

Designed by Webb of the London and North Western Railway, this is No 790, 'Hardwicke', one of some 166 of these express passenger engines built between 1874 and 1882. These engines were known as the 'Precedent' class.

The 'Spinners' were 4-2-2 passenger engines, officially known as '115' Class. Designed by Johnson, some 95 of these engines were built between 1887 and 1900. This engine was number 673.

No 600 of the Longmoor Military Railway, built in 1943. It has carried the name 'Gordon'.

The Class 9F locomotive No 92220 'Evening Star' was the very last steam locomotive ever to be built for British Railways, being completed at Swindon in 1960. It is a 2-10-0 locomotive, and while actually classified as a freight engine, was perfectly capable of handling express passenger work as well - for many years, these engines were seen on the 'Pines Express'. 251 of this class were built and nine have been preserved.

The LMS 'Coronation' Pacifics were express passenger engines. Of the 38 built, some 24 (including the 'Duchess of Hamilton' seen above) originally had streamlined casing, but this was removed in British Railways days. Only three survive into preservation. The 'Duchess of Hamilton' originally had the number 6229, but became No 46229 under British Railways. Built at Crewe, 1938.

The Bulleid Pacifics of the Southern Railway were express passenger locomotives, and when built had air-smoothed casing which gave them a semi-streamlined appearance. There were 30 'Merchant Navy' locomotives, all built at Eastleigh, and some 110 of a lighter design, known as 'West Country' and 'Battle of Britain' classes, which were built at Brighton. The above locomotive is No 35028 'Clan Line', is a 'Merchant Navy', and is one of those which, in the 1950s, had the casing removed, which gave a more conventional appearance. It is shown carrying the headboard for the 'Golden Arrow' Victoria to Dover boat train service.

One of some 391 locomotives to this design built for the Ministry of Supply and War Department from 1943-1953. This one was WD No 75091 'Robert', later bought by the National Coal Board and renumbered 7. A very large number of these lcomotives survive at various locations.