| Finding a suitable location to water a steam loco on the trans-Pennine route around Manchester proved to be more complicated than one might expect. With hydrants in short supply and various access issues, it was decided to use a tanker for watering 60009 at Ashton under Lyne on RTC's 'The Tall Ships' tour from Scarborough to Liverpool and return.
Here is a series of shots taken to record the layout of the station from an operational aspect; the positioning of tanker and loco as well as number of hoses required etc. Probably not very interesting but handy for anyone doing the job in future. It may well be the case that Ashton station is used as a regular water stop in due course. |
Union of South Africa on 1Z71 running 20 late 2349x1568 Car_Park.JPG Buy Print |
Tanker standing at station entrance. Three fire hoses run through the pedestrian subway and access ramp to island platform. Very straightforward. 2062x1372 Through_subway.JPG Buy Print |
Pete Worrall, Manchester North MOM. Been working on the Railway since March 1965 1993x1330 Pete_Worrall.JPG Buy Print |
Island platform with a single access ramp. Length of hose required is the same for up and down roads. 2303x1537 Platform.JPG Buy Print |
Early evening at Platform 2 with 1Z72 - on time! 2291x1529 Platform_2.JPG Buy Print |
Fraser Birrell, guardian of Number 9 715x1073 Fraser.JPG Buy Print |
