A typical example of the sturdy, reliable British 4-4-0. Thousands of machines like this, common to all British railway companies, went unceremoniously to the scrap heap, unsung and uncelebrated. Considering their huge part in the development of the steam locomotive and their millions of miles of unstinting service, it is such a pity that more examples of this wheel arrangement were not kept as part of the National Collection, although, in this case a beautiful example (Butler Henderson) does survive in preservation. 

With only a few more runs to do on this famous train, 'Appledore' takes a breather on Dover Shed after bringing 'The Golden Arrow' down from London Victoria to Folkestone Harbour. Early in June 1961 this working was handed over to the new Bo-Bo Electric Locomotives and sights like this were meant to be no more. However, today 'The Golden Arrow' has re-appeared as a steam hauled charter train, and preserved Bulleid Pacifics can again be seen on this prestigious and evocative train. 

Just four years later and the rot has really set in. 'Appledore,' seen here at Basingstoke, preparing to attach herself to a commuter train for London Waterloo, is no longer the Belle of the Stewarts Lane Ball. The only clue to her former glory, the golden arrow fixing bolts still evident on her smoke deflectors. Another three years and 'Appledore' would be but a memory.

The 2,54 p.m. Waterloo - Basingtoke semi-fast was a regular working for Salisbury based King Arthurs. An afternoon return working of a similar up train in the morning, meant that the engines would go to Nine Elms to be fuelled and turned in preparation for this return run. They would be resident in the shed yard for a couple of hours, providing a great opportunity to photograph examples of this type, very late in their career.

With the death of his namesake Sir Winston Churchill, 34051 was rushed through the shops, receiving light repairs, in order that he could be used to haul the great man's funeral train. This probably saved 34051 for prosperity as unrebuilt Bulleid Pacifics were considered to be too much trouble to spend a great deal of time and money on, in the dying days of Southern steam. Here we see 34051 in the early 1970s after the demise of steam, then residing at Didcot with The Great Western Preservation Society.

Who would have thought it at the time? But with the demise of steam and the intractable views of the railway chiefs then in power, things looked pretty bleak for the avid steam locomotive fan in the 1970s. It was thought that steam railway preservation would be left to 'the potty brigade' with their hundred yards of railway line, stuck out in the middle of nowhere. But really, it just was not the British way. We Brits love history and have a peculiar affinity with steam locomotion. Who can explain it? But with a great deal of hard work, patience and grim determination, all obstacles have been overcome, and like 'King George' here, rising like a Phoenix from the ashes, steam locomotives are once again to be seen pounding along main lines in Britain.