Does anyone know the origin of this photograph?

[Jimbob52]

The front cover of John Thomas's 'The West Highland Railway' (PB, third ed. 1984) has an excellent colour photograph of two locomotives taking water at Crianlarich.

Both locos are blowing off steam. The lead loco is 62496, 'Glen Loy'.

Does anyone know the origin of this photograph and whether it is available as a print?

 

[High Dyke]

Is there any description in the front pages of the book to explain the picture, or mentioned in the credits for the photo?

 

[Jimbob52]

Is there any description in the front pages of the book to explain the picture, or mentioned in the credits for the photo?

The only reference I can find is in the description of a separate photograph, a black and white print from 1926, that says 'another double-headed train with two Glens'.

I suspect the photograph on the front cover was originally in an earlier edition of the book and the credit omitted when the paperback version was published.

 

[Albaman]

I have no knowledge of the photo mentioned but in the publication Railway World Special - The West Highland Lines there is a photo taken in May 1959 of 62496 "Glen Loy " and 62471 " Glen Falloch " at Ardlui double heading a north bound sleeper train. The photo is credited to E.S.Russell/Colour-Rail ( SC163 ).

 

[Mcr Warrior]

The front cover of John Thomas's 'The West Highland Railway' (PB, third ed. 1984) has an excellent colour photograph of two locomotives taking water at Crianlarich.

Is this the photo?



Stock image of front cover of "The West Highland Railway" (book - 1984 edition) as advertised on Ebay.

Believe essentially the same image was subsequently used on a Royal Mail 1st class postage stamp in 2012.

 

[Albaman]

Thanks to Mcr warrior for the above post - this is the photo which was in the book I mentioned. The location is Ardlui and not Crianlarich as stated in post #1.

 

[181]

Not the same photo, but it gives some information about the occasion:

On pp. 42-43 of 'The Great Days of the Country Railway' by David St. John Thomas and Patrick Whitehouse (David and Charles, 1986) there's a similar picture of two 'Glens', in this case southbound at Crianlarich. According to the caption, on 8 and 9 May 1959 the two locomotives mentioned in post #4 were used on the 05.45 from Glasgow and the 14.56 from Fort William, specially arranged (I think 'Glens' were no longer regularly used on the West Highland by then) in connection with the BBC's 'Railway Roundabout' television programme. This picture was taken on 8th May and is credited to P.B. Whitehouse.

(Odd to think that when I first read the book in 1986, 1959 was as recent as 1995 is now!).

 

[DelW]

Is this the photo?

View attachment 110063

Stock image of front cover of "The West Highland Railway" (book - 1984 edition) as advertised on Ebay.

Believe essentially the same image was subsequently used on a Royal Mail 1st class postage stamp in 2012.

Considerably more photogenic than a shed piloting a 73

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Here's the pic as used in the 2012 Royal Mail stamp issue.



Pic of Royal Mail first class stamp booklet from 2012 including two stamps which use the image discussed in this thread.

 

[Jimbob52]

Thank you all for your helpful comments.

Albaman's contribution that the location is Ardlui and the Glens are heading a sleeper train is particularly interesting. I should be grateful for any further information.

I have also discovered that 'FineArtAmerica' sell a print. I have ordered a copy.

 

[Albaman]

I had a further look on the Colour Rail website and there are 6 photographs of the trains described in post #7 by " 181". I am sure all are available to purchase and include the photo referred to by "181" of the locos receiving water at Crianlarich Upper on the southbound journey.

Regarding my reference to sleeping cars, these would be through coaches from King's Cross and include day time coaches too.

Finally, the publication " On West Highland Lines " by Robert Robotham has a photo of the train at Crianlarich Upper northbound with the leading loco taking water.

Hope this helps.