Community Response |
Locomotive Details |
Location/Date of Photo |
 | Views: 5,064 Favorited: 21 | Since added on June 19, 2011 |  |
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» London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (more..) » LB&SCR D1 Class (more..) |
» Unknown » United Kingdom (more..) » 1905 |
Locomotive No./Train ID |
Photographer |
» 242 Ringmer (more..) » Unknown |
» Steve Armitage (more..) » Contact Photographer · Photographer Profile |
Remarks & Notes |
It has taken no less than 106 years for this wonderful portrait of a London, Brighton & South Coast Railway 'D1' class to emerge from obscurity. It is from a small but fascinating collection of original images in my archive taken by the delightfully named Wentworth S. Gray. 125 of these elegant Victorian tank locomotives were designed by William Stroudley and built at Brighton between 1873 and 1887. All were named after towns and villages served by the line, Ringmer being near Lewes in East Sussex. Stroudley's gloriously imaginative livery was a rich mustard yellow, the so-called 'improved engine green'. Sadly this was abandoned (and the names removed) in favour of a more sombre umber before World War 1. The commodious 'pagoda-roof' cab and the superbly proportioned, copper-capped chimney that so enhanced the appearance of these locomotives are an absolute joy to behold. Ringmer was built in November 1881 and was withdrawn in July 1925. Several D1s gave an incredible 75 years service, the last survivor not being withdrawn until 1950. |
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Photo Comments (1) |
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