Roads and artifacts: 19/05/2013

Milestones, Boundary Markers, Historical Artifacts, Street Furniture, lost roads and buildings.

There are many traces of our ancestors scattered around our landscape. Mile Markers and Boundary stones are there too. The Milestone Society believes that there are approximately 9000 left in the United Kingdom. Some are cherished but others are hidden in hedgerows, some have been unwittingly destroyed by crashes, road equipment or even stolen. Roads have been straightened to make them safer. There are old gateposts still left in place, old buildings, and place names that declare an evocative past. The aim is to capture some of this information at least photographically before it disappears.

Although the Fylde Coast does not have ancient history, the Romans apparently struggled to Kirkham. There have been huge changes in the last two centuries from literally a a few fishermans' and agricultural dwellings, to a full blown tourist and light engineering industry.

More historical information can be found here about the Fylde coast.

It also seems that time has marched on and left what appears to be some very respectable buildings... which just should be used, but seem to have no worth.

Links from this Blog

Nearly-Midnight The genealogy website relating to the family. A tangled web of people all related to one another, explore!
Memorials Website dedicated to War Memorials - The majority in the North of England. Visits to churches, but also memorials in out of the way places.
Robert Clark The Father of Henry Martyn-Clark - A missionary out in the North-West Frontier of India. One of the first Europeans to set foot in Afganistan
Affetside Census A small village north of Bury, Lancashire, I can trace many of my immediate ancesters from there. On the Roman Road, Watling Street
Andrew Martyn-Clark My Father and his part in my World. Also my mother and his parents too.
Henry Martyn-Clark My Great Grandfather, his roots and his achievements. Discusses malaria but also his confrontations with Islam.

Sunday, 19 May 2013

Sir Nigel Gresley at Pickering Station

Sir Nigel Gresley needs no introduction. I visited Pickering in the summer of 2012 and visited the church, the castle and the station. The station with the historic feel of my childhood needs revisiting. What a magnificent engine - power and the majesty of the engine together with the ambience makes for something special. Here are the photos - but for once no substitute for the real thing.

On the platform of Pickering station

Sir Nigel Gresley coming in to the station pulling a special

Close up of the front of the engine

One of the original carriages

The British Rail Logo

This is seriously impressive, the heat was just emanating from this big wheel

Sir Nigel Gresley was the worlds fastest steam locomotive at one time
This was succeeded by Mallard

Close up of the valve gear

Close up of this majestic engine

Another close up

I like this shot! I don't know why?

ID Plate

This is really large, and hot, and smelly and wonderful!

Inside of cab complete with brew-cans for the driver and fireman

Close up of guages

Sir Nigel Gresley reversing back to the back of the train

Inside a carriage

Ready to be coupled to the coaches

Showing the lights

Right above the bogies

Reattaching the lights at the rear

Close up of the valve gear

Speedo!

To be attached to the rear of the train

Close up

The Brake! The last shot!

Waterloo Road bridge toilets

I recall when this building were Ladies and Gents toilets. However they have gone through a few changes over the years. Another comment on the internet believes they may have been a tramstop. Not sure trams ever went over any of the Blackpool bridges. I could just about buy into a bus shelter. They have been a variety of little shops over the years but they have never done well and ultimately gone down the plughole!

The road climbs to the crest of the hill then goes off to Spen corner.
To the right the road goes to the Royal Oak pub and then to the sea front.
South Shore station is just to the left.