The Road to the Washer (RTW).

A further photograph was taken from the steps of the signalbox as the engine toiled past towards the vast bulk of the washer building (5). Progress was being maintained at a very slow crawl as can be appreciated by the fact that the fireman applying sand to the line, has now taken up a position in front of the locomotive.

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