Double Headed Steam

The safety valves of No.13 were pouring steam into the brilliant blue sky as with a chorus of whistles the heavy train began to move towards the 1 in 66 gradient. (Picture 3.) On this first sortie the onlookers were treated to a truly volcanic smoke display by No 19 in particular, which may not have been so well appreciated by local housewives with washing out on the line. The impressive sight was repeated a number of times that afternoon as the waiting lines of coal wagons were steadily reduced but none of the encores proved to be quite as spectacular as the first trip up the incline.

Further visits to the WPR in the final year of its existence were inevitably accompanied by hopes of seeing more double headed activities but to no avail.
The April 1969 experience may possibly be the only one recorded photographically
as having actually taken place.

Photo by and copyright of David P Williams