The Road to the Washer (RTW).

Beyond the washer building, the gradient eased very slightly and this marked the turning point for the ill fated trip. The wheels of the locomotive gradually began to revolve just a little more quickly as momentum very slowly but surely began to pick up and the locomotive headed up the straight section of track towards the washer sidings. The journey thus far had taken all of fifteen minutes since the train had started, rather than the two minutes which would be normal. The smile on the driver’s face says it all, an equal mixture of relief and elation (6). He will doubtless have taken more care than usual to check the size of his load for the remainder of the day’s activities.

Photo by and copyright of David P Williams