Guard's Van Ride by fishers

Guard's Van Ride

During school holidays, and on summer weekends, the National Railway Museum in York has steam train rides available in the South Yard, and here is the train that was run over the Christmas and New Year period.

The locomotive is recently a restored locomotive loaned to the National Railway Museum by the Ribble Steam Railway of Preston, and was a product of Grant Ritchie of Kilmarnock.

The Company was formed in 1876, following a disastrous fire at Andrew Barclay’s Caledonia workshop in Kilmarnock. Thomas Grant, the Barclay Works manager, bought up a small engineering business in Kilmarnock and together with William Ritchie, another Barclay employee, set up in business together and started building steam locomotives just down the road from the Andrew Barclay works. It is said that Messrs Grant & Ritchie were seen leaving Barclay’s works late one night with large bundles of locomotive drawings - this could be true as Grant Ritchie produced locomotives that were very similar to the products of Andrew Barclay.

This service itself is a flash back to the early days of railway preservation, with the little tank enging taking visitors for a ride in a guard's van. It is something that is not often seen today.

Ian

Nice image- the kids would be loving this.
January 3rd, 2017  
Like all that billowing steam. Wonderful shot!
January 3rd, 2017  
I love steam engines!
January 3rd, 2017  
Thank you for this...which prompted a question. Did you go on the Isle of Man Railway Steam Train?
January 3rd, 2017  
Oh brilliant! We love it at the NRM, always a treat of a place to visit. Love this picture.
January 3rd, 2017  
Fantastic! I do love steam trains. They have such character.
January 3rd, 2017  
Like the steam you've captured.
January 3rd, 2017  
Nice capture!
January 3rd, 2017  
Great capture and history
January 3rd, 2017  
Great shot of this typical steam train. Great info of the history too.
The name of this type of trains = saddle tank locomotives.
January 3rd, 2017  
Nice shot
January 3rd, 2017  
Looks like fun. FAV
January 3rd, 2017  
This looks great fun. Love steam trains
January 3rd, 2017  
Great shot and a great family activity.. Thanks for your suggestion to use Recuva to try and find our lost photos. We are are home now so will give it a try.
January 3rd, 2017  
Looks like young and old enjoyed a ride on the steam train. interesting history. thanks Ian for sharing.
January 3rd, 2017  
Just love steam engines. We have an annual Steamfest at Maitland, in NSW, it is a fun day.
January 3rd, 2017  
Bob
The Railway Museum in York is a fascinating place to visit. I was there once, only for a few hours...not long enough. Nice shot of this classic engine and story to go with it.
January 3rd, 2017  
Lovely old piece of history. Quite a story too. Looks like a miserable day.
January 4th, 2017  
Beautiful history lesson accompanied by a wonderful capture. Looks like the young ones are very excited about the ride.
January 4th, 2017  
@dide @catsmeowb @janturnbull @s4sayer @casablanca @will_wooderson @lhart @shepherdman @seattlite @pyrrhula @bkbinthecity @skstein @777margo @busylady @bruni @onewing @bobhuegel @tonydebont @sangwann

Thank you all for your many comments and favs, they are appreciated.

It was a rather gray day when this shot was taken, and I had to use a lot of zoom to get this, hence the slightly soft focus. Since recent changes in the South Yard it is much harder to get shots of the locomotive at work. This shot would have been more difficult on a sunny day, since it would have been a shot into the sun.

It was also great fun watching the children and their excitement at going for a steam train ride.

Ian
January 4th, 2017  
@s4sayer

Margo, when we have been to the Isle of Man we regularly use not only the steam railway, but the electric railway, the Snaefell railway, the Groudle Glen railway, the Laxey Mines railway and the horse trams! They are a great way to explore the island!

Ian
January 4th, 2017  
@busylady

I hope Recuva works for you Judith. I've used it on two or three occasions with quite good results. It will be interesting to hear how you get on with it.

Ian
January 4th, 2017  
@fishers Couldn't agree more. Bravo!
January 4th, 2017  
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