It brings back my trainspotting memory. Never got to Bolton, but did cycle to Patricroft from Hazel Grove where I lived! Unbelievable how much everything has changed now, and how lucky we were. Happy memories.
That’s quite a ride from Hazel Grove to Patricroft- respect! Yes, it’s so shocking how things have changed. You are so right, we were lucky, weren’t we! Thanks for your great comment👍
Who remembers Bolton driver Bert Welsby? He eventually moved to Buxton, where I worked with him on freight as a guard in the late 70s/early to middle 80s. You never got a snatch off Bert when handling a loose-coupled train, perfect man with years of experience. Great video by the way!
I know that Jim Markland mentions a lot of Bolton Enginemen in his books on Bolton (Foxline) but they are about the sixties, while you are talking about the seventies. I hope somebody knows him on here. The hallmark of a driver indeed, how he handles loose coupled freight- must have been a skilled man. Thanks for your kind comment👍
@@eliotreader8220 some local lads told us he had been an engine man, but his eyes weren’t good anymore, so he was in charge of the sandfurnace. Obviously bitter!
What a wonderful film, smoke, grime and coaldust included. And here's me thinking shed spotting, shed bunking in, the whole train/steam immersion....not to mention the added attraction of women, beer and motorbikes was a figment of my imagination. Thanks, totally revitaised now!
Absolute superb, so full of memories. I was born and bred in Bolton but now live in Perth Australia. The clean locos were actually cleaned by a group of boys which I think included Steve Leyland and Harvey Scowcroft.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you. I remember hanging around Tebay sheds near Kendal. We used to make notes of the engine numbers. It was a wonderful time when nobody was glued to smart (dumb) phones.
Thanks for your comment- I would have liked to have visited Tebay shed, furthest north we got was Lostock Hall. Yes, no mobile phones to make everybody stupid… good times👍
Thank you, I’m so pleased you like the video. I’m never sure, I just try to be honest and hope my feelings come through. Thanks for your very kind words👍
What an excellent production... a wonderful trip down memory lane. Being born and brought up in Bolton, I remember the sight and sound of almost every image... even the smell of Walker's Tannery. Great stuff!
Bolton was a great place, so fascinating, I regret only going twice in my teens. Oh, those tanneries though! You did sort of get used to it after a few hours, but I’ll never forget that smell. Our school was next to a dye works in Hyde, which was bad because you never got used to that. Thanks for your comment👍
Thank you so much! I do like to remember those days, luckily my memories are many, even if I can't remember where I put the shed key :-) You bet, there is another video in preparation! Thanks for your kind comment!
As an ex Boltonian and a train spotter to boot, this brought back many happy memories of much time spent at Bolton MPD (26C and later 9K) and Bolton Trinity St. Many of the locos shown later went on to be preserved, (45110, 45025, 44871, 48773 and others) and many more should have done, particularly 44781, 73069 and green liveried 73014 which were apparently particular pets of the Bolton enginemen.. Three of the four locos that powered the final "10 guinea special" in August 1968 had all spent some considerable time at Bolton MPD - 45110, 44871 and 44781. Many thanks for letting me ride this reminiscence train!!
Thanks for your comment, good to hear from a Boltonian trainspotter! Yes, that green liveried standard five was special, it was a shock to see it on the scrap line on our second visit. It’s only to be expected, I suppose, that some locos were “pets”, I know Jim Markland also talks about one standard five that was never any good, “everything was too much trouble for it” he writes. Thanks again for your memories too… I was never a number taker, but I drank the atmosphere up like a fine wine👍
This was quite the watch for me as my grandfather remembered Bolton shed when he was growing up as a kid until his family moved to Australia in 1967 when he was about 10. He wasn't actually a trainspotter as his older brother was but he does recall those days in the 1960s when steam was in its closing stages. As for the Crabs being known as "Dippers" there, I made a guess that it came from their running board's shape, high at the smokebox before "dipping" half-way along their length. Given they were all built nearby at Horwich (which my great grandfather worked at in 1956-7), wouldn't surprise me that Bolton locals came up with their nickname for them.
I’m really pleased that you enjoyed the film. I read the other day about the nickname that apparently was specific to Bolton- and you are exactly right! Wish I’d known that when I made the video, never mind. Fascinating to hear about your grandfather. 👍
Great to see back into my family's birth place. Grandad a driver on the L and Y based at Bolton, auntie lived off Green Lane, near the junction with Crescent Road, my Dad worked at the ( very smelly) tannery ( Walkers) and grew up on the 'flower estate" in Farnworth. Lived on Primrose Avenue ! The film was well-researched and edited and MUCH appreciated by me. Thank you.
Thank you very much, I’m really pleased that someone like you with very strong local roots enjoyed the video. It must be very fine to have had a Grandad who was a driver on the L&Y, I would dine out on that! Thanks for your lovely comment👍
Now this is a happy memory, I lived a couple of streets away from the shed, as did Paul Salvesen, if memory serves me he had an engine chimney in his front garden, this was my playground oh the bollockings I’ve had for being on the shed, worth it though, thank you for posting 👍
Thank you Bernie, good to hear that it reminded you of those days! That old guy that threw us off was terrifying… I pity you if he was the one giving out the bollockings! Thanks for the comment👍
Thanks Iain for yet another absolute reminiscent gem! That's just how IT was in those halcyon days. Such memories will never fade from my memory, and so from my many visits to 9A Longsight MPD, escorted by a late uncle from depot, whom at that time was a passed fireman, 'steam entered my blood' and I joined BR in 1965. Keep them coming good friend.👌
@@Geo46115 Thanks so much, mate! I'm so glad you enjoyed this, I hoped you would. I am working on another just now! Hope all goes well for you, thanks for the comment!👍
Brilliant film. I grew up accross the valley from Horwich loco works where all my Mother`s family worked. I well remember all the steamers lined up there for scrapping. Loco works rec ently gone to build hundreds of houses.
Thank you! Horwich works was so important to the community back then... how times change. That must have been a sad sight, seeing all the steam locos waiting for the cutters torch. I'm glad I brought back some memories, thanks for your comment.
I have lived in Bolton for nearly forty years. Most of what you showed in the video had gone by the time I came here. I still remember the 'Beehive' mill though. I also remember the railway station being rebuilt 'across the road', never understood why that happened! Over the years, I've developed an interest in looking at old maps of areas that I am curious about. A lot of the online sites that host such maps want to charge an arm and a leg for just looking at them. However, I have found that the National Library of Scotland online, has a great selection of British maps for free! Thank you for the video Sir. You have a new subscriber.
That makes me feel very old, but then, I am😂 I feel very lucky to have seen the last of old Bolton, even if I was probably too young to appreciate it. I never understood the idea behind the railway re-jig either. Like you, I love old maps, they’re essential exploring old mines and industrial sites, which I love to do. The NLoS are so good, glad you have discovered them too. Thanks for your comment👍
@@iainrobinson6566 I've watched your other videos ,ie Patricroft and Manchester Victoria , it's not just the wonderful steam images but your story telling really brings them to life and makes them a cut above
Wonderful nostalgia! Many years ago a Bolton chap called Dennis Armitage told me that "Crabs" were known as "Dippers" because of the pronounced dip in the running plate. Many of us from the Wirral loved Birkenhead's Crabs and nearly saved our star loco 42942 but couldn't raise the cash. Thanks for the memories though.
Aah, thankyou! It’s that “dip” in the running plate that endears them to me.I wish you had been able to save that Birkenhead “Crab” though. Glad you enjoyed the film👍
Every second of that video brought happy memories of my days living in Bolton as a child,from sneaking into the shed on a Saturday, to the buses,loved the buses in Bolton! Now here in York all the buses are electric, the images of burden park many happy memories the world's best football team still! A million thanks for a wonderful video ❤😊
Thank you! I’m so pleased that my film gave you pleasure… yes, my memories of Bolton are good ones, it’s good to know that locals too are still very fond of the place. The buses, though- they were great, weren’t they! Thanks for your lovely comment👍
Brings back poignant memories for me. My grandmother lived in Ainsworth & in the early 1960’s I visited a few times,however being an avid’gricer’ shed visits were a given. I recall 26C being full of WD 2-8-0’s,LYR 3F 0-60’s, ‘Crabs’, LMS 2-6-4T’s,the odd BR 2-6-2T for the Horwich push-pull plus miscellaneous other locos. ,some ex Horwich Works. My home town was Luton,I would travel to Manchester Central on the ‘Palatine’ across to Victoria & a local to Bolton. I,also, used to travel around the area ‘bunking’ all the sheds. Magic moments,great days!
My goodness, that is quite a trek! I would have loved to have travelled on the "Palatine", Jubilee hauled no doubt. I didn't see the ex-L&Y class 25's, would have loved that. My partner comes from Luton... there was quite a bit of loco action down there too in the early sixties, wasn't there. Those WD 2-8-0's were quite impressive! Thanks for your comment :-)
The ‘Palatine’ in those days was mostly Britannia hauled,sometimes a Royal Scot. This was as a result of the West Coast electification & consequent speeding up of the Midland line Manchester expresses. I recall one time 70017 failed at Flitwick with a broken mechanical lubricator & we had 45137 replacement,exciting run only 15 minute late arrival
@@alantunbridge8919 A Britannia, eh? Now I’m doubly envious! That run with 45137 must have been .. er… interesting! The crew were obviously on their mettle. 👍
@@iainrobinson6566 Maybe to make you even more envious I had a run from Blackpool Central to Bolton behind Clan 72004 on 21.07.1960,unexpected but interesting. Polmadie Britannias, Scots& obviously Clans on occasion used to regularly work to Manchester Victoria on the daily Glasgow & Edinburgh to Manchester & Liverpool express, combining at Carstairs & splitting at Preston the loco. going forward to Manchester,saw them at Newton Heath. Newton Heath were not beyond borrowing these locos. as I saw firsthand. During the West Coast electrification there was a Manchester Victoria to St.Pancras Sundays only express, I used to go to Luton Midland Road to see it as it would have a 26A ‘Jubilee’ or something similar as the engine,imagine my surprise when 70054 of 66A turned up one time.
Great memories of shed bashing, I never got to do that in steam days So much has changed around there. I have The Love Match on VHS not watched it in years, I think I will have to root it out.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the film. Sorry you didn’t have the shedbashing adventures, I hope my little film has given you some of the atmosphere though. Thanks for your comment👍
What a great video reminds me of shed bashing in Manchester in 1968 and wish I could have done more. Only so much I could do at 14 from Blackpool/ Simply a superb production once of the best in the steam age. Thankyou
Thank you! Oh, yes, the frustration of being 14 and having no money to get to sheds was a real problem. Dave and I resorted to skipping school and saving up our dinner money… tough times, I’m sure you resorted to similar measures! Thank you for your kind comments about the video, much appreciated! 👍
I born in the 1950's and my parents would go on holiday and taken to Blackpool and I remember the steam trains at Victoria station. Victoria station had 14 platforms and today it has changed dramatically compared to its former glory. Found on Manchester City council web sight archive photos of the station some from the 1920's and including exchange station showing bomb damage from WW2.
Being born in Urmston Manchester vic was a favourite spotting station but unfortunately I missed steam as I was 11 in 68 😢 Thanks for sharing this and narrating it so well lain sad as it may be but the memories are there for us 👍🏻
Yes, Vicc was a great place. Some of my mates got to know the banker drivers, but I was too shy to speak to them. It still had a great atmosphere in the seventies, too. Thanks for your kind words- I’m so glad that we both have the memories of those days👍
I remember travelling up in a coach (bus type)from Peterborough with a local enthusiasts group. I wish I could remember more about the trip. I do recall one locomotive where the driving wheels had locked up but the locomotive carried on moving.
I know what you mean about memories, there are some big gaps in mine, while other sequences are in great detail. Yes, I saw a few instances at Edgehill where light engines would skid down into the shed… it was a bit of an incline😂 Thanks for your comment👍
I was a trainspotter at Bolton in the late 50s and early 60s, used to trainspot on the footbridge from Trinity Street to Great Moor street, it was always full of spotters on a Saturday morning, the attraction being the 0930 Manchester to Glasgow train which had a restaurant car included, it always had a named loco hauling it, Britannias, Clans, Royal Scots, were quite common. Regarding the shed me and my mate Bob Collinston have been slung out of there many times!.
Wow, that sounds so good. We were a bit later, 65 onwards… so we caught the tail end of the Scots and the Patriots although did see Brits at Man Vic. I envy you your experiences, thanks for your comment👍
Loved the video, I grew up in the Smoke, we were spoiled for choice - all regions except the Scottish to choose from - but it always seemed that only a small selection actually reached London, and we dreamed of Edge Hill, Longsight, Polmadie and all the others in the North. And I, too, loved industry as such, even some that really stank - there were surely some wreckers around to ruin British industry.
Thank you, yes, I’m on the same page as you. I grew up in Tameside, with all its canals and mills, what a fascinating place to a ten year old, and became more so as I grew older. Now it’s all featureless tin sheds. Glad you enjoyed the video👍
Harvey Scowcroft was1 year above me at school and he used to arrange outings for train spotters to Barry, Crewe, Carlisle and others, all without teacher or parent supervision and about 20 kids. Brilliant! Wouldn’t be allowed now though!
That 'pong from the tanneries' was from our family business - Walker and Martin, Dri-Ped Ltd. Just after the war it was the biggest tannery in the world, employing around 1,500 people. You mention Arthur Askey in the Love March. In his earlier film 'Band Waggon', Arthur sings one of his 'silly songs' called 'A pretty little bird am I'. One of the lines goes "My liver's like a Dri-Ped sole". Sadly, like everything else highlighted in your nostalgic video, the tannery is no more.
Blimey, yes, you are right! Very observant of you. I wonder if in the sixties, full repaints and transfers were not going to happen... I saw lots of locos with freshly painted smokeboxes, or patch painting on the cabs, but no overall refreshes, at least I can't remember any. What a good point you make, thank you.
@iainrobinson6566 I don't remember mainline steam, but the lack of maintenance and general care was a feature, especially after it was decided to get rid of it by 1968. I guess the top flight passenger locos had the lion's share of whatever care & attention was available, but everything else - as you say - was patched up in a make-do-and-mend approach. It's easy to see why trainspotting was such a popular pastime: all that variety, plus the drama, noise and motion steam engines provide!
Thank you so much, Chris, the clips of yours were so perfect! That L&Y class 25 is so fine and the inside motion going round as well! Thanks again, you are a star :-)
That is very kind, thank you! Very pleased that you enjoyed the film, I'm trying to do one a month, so there will be another coming along! Thanks for the lovely comment :-)
Bolton shed interior was quite clean in the 60s. It rarely had named locos and was a predominantly freight depot. The staff were pleasant but plain plain speaking e.g. "If tha'rt cowd tha mon change thi' butcher." The station was interesting for a spotter, Manchester Victoria straight on, Bury and Rochdale left and Blackburn almost due north and very busy. Went back to Bolton, briefly, in 2004 and barely recognized anything - the town centre was attractive in the past, now very run down.
Apart from that old gowk that threw us out, Bolton felt very friendly. The local lads were happy to share intel about locos and we didn't have any bother, unlike at Lostock Hall when someone chased us with an axe or a shovel, I can't remember which.The shed seemed clean and tidy in '66 and the fitters were very busy. I wouldn't like to go back, all the modern jimcrack buildings and so many of the mills knocked down... at least that's how it seems from google street view. Thanks for your comment :-)
Wonderful trip down nostalgia lane. The 1963 photo of the little boys on the bridge at 1:12 brought back very happy memories. I'm 71 now but the little boy in shorts near the middle could easily have been me. I was 11 in September that year and loved hanging over the footbridge near my home watching the trains and waving at the locomotive crew. They always waved back. Wasn’t it a great time to be a boy? I've subscribed.
Thank you, so glad this struck a chord with you! I know what you mean, locomen were usually friendly, especially to us boys. It was a brilliant time to be young, we were so lucky. Thank you for your subscription, there’s usually a new video every month.👍
@iainrobinson6566 Like you, I grew up in the twilight of steam and I've loved steam locomotives ever since. When I was small, my dad took me open day at a locomotive works. One loco had its smoke box door open and had a set of steps so you could climb up and look inside - which I did. Unfortunately in my haste, I tripped and tumbled head first into the smoke box. I came out black from head to toe. When dad reached me a kindly railway man was vainly trying to clean me up. I've never forgotten that episode or the scrubbing I got in the bath when we got home. It gives me a laugh everytime I think of it. Your mention of your pal Dave getting covered in coal dust, and the reception you received from all but the grouchy rail worker reminded me of it.
@@bahoonies That’s a lovely story, and I’m so glad that the trip into the smokebox didn’t put you off steam locos! I agree, the locomen were generally kindly, and tried not to see us, unless you were doing something dangerous. They had a certain nobility, probably because of the many years learning their craft, and the best ones had a respect for each other. Nothing like that these days. Thanks for your memories, and for your kind comment👍
My aunt lived in Crescent Road opposite the mill. I used to walk in and out of the shed without any fuss. I recall that the freight locos were used mainly to bring coal from the Wigan collieries to Spa Road gasworks in Bolton.
@@icdgyixifyinstereo ah, yes… I guess our friend from the sand furnace would be having his beef and yorkshire pudding 😀 glad you got round without bother👍
As a lad I climbed onto the footplate of a saddle tank at 26c where I was educated into the operation of the regulator by a more experienced young man. I lived on Green Lane near Bolton Cricket Club
I had to look on Google maps to see if Bee Hive mill had been demolished. I had no idea, my mum used to take us to the catalogue returns shop inside there. It was occupied by Gus catalogue/white arrow. I still live fairly local and had no idea it had been demolished.
That must have been a blow! It was a listed building, but they demolished it anyway. It would have made great apartments, too. Thanks very much for your comment👍
Sadly, no :-( When we went to university, he studied maths at Oxford whilst I went to Manchester to study Art and English. Last I heard he was a lecturer, but I've never been able to find him on the web. A shame because we were good mates, although I was always the intellectual lightweight :-)
Something we've mostly forgotten now is the idea you'd not know where something was/how to get to it and having a map was unheard of! Before Google Maps and detailed local atlases, the world was a mystery - you has to ask people and trust they weren't making-it-up (no-one likes to say "I don't know"!) I delivered stuff in the early 00s and there wasn't an up-to-date map of my own town - let alone satellite pictures of most of the Earth! Modern trainspotting revolves around the Realtimetrains website and social media - you don't go out to see what you can find, you go-out knowing what you'll see and surprises are rare - there's a bit of magic been lost - the world is less of an adventure (and has WAY too many fences) Thanks for sharing!
You're absolutely right. Back then we had to ask folk where a depot was, and if you were skipping school, that could spell trouble. That's a very good point you make about the loss of surprise and happenstance. Oh, the fences, I hate those. They look so ugly apart from anything else. In another life, I had a summer job delivering stuff around Manchester in the seventies... the A to Z wasn't very accurate and it was a problem reading it while dodging bollards and old ladies :-) Bad times. But there was something exciting about wondering what was coming down the line, and what was round the next bend! Thanks for your super comment!
We also had a thing for buses and wanted to ride a Bolton bus, you didn’t see them that often in our part of Manchester. When we saw it was a new Atlantean, it was a no-brainer! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video, and thanks for your kind words👍
Thank you, I’m really pleased that you enjoyed the video. I’m sorry, I don’t sell prints, but the second photo of the 7F is a creative commons image by Ben Brooksbank, and you will probably be able to get an image from his Geograph link.👍
@@stephensmith799 Thank you🙏 I was only fifteen, so it’s a bit of a miracle, really! And my Mum destroyed many of my negs later because she didn’t like the girl I went out with… 🥴
@@iainrobinson6566 l wish l met him, he was obsessed about steam, etc. He was a great man, Bolton Council should be ashamed for not turning Fred's workshops into a museum..... 🤔🇬🇧🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷
A wonderful showing. So real. So accurate. Beautiful narration. I was there the last week June 1968 watching 45073 going up and down for us. 45318.my number plate, all legal for £2. Loved the bus too no.8. It is all still there in my head. A lovelly story, brilliant absolutely, production. Captures the truth of it all so well. Loved every moment. It took me back where I was. My driver father took us when he went to collect his wage. Saw an austin 7.At 6yrs old I was, so it was all very normal. Beautiful memories. Thankyou so much. Lindsay Flintoff.1950
@@LindsayFlintoff-hc2cm thank you for your lovely comment and the very kind words❤️🙏 Your memories of the shed are fascinating … to have had a father who was a driver, and to have a memory of the loco being paraded back and forth for you, wonderful! Bolton buses were very special, not just because of the lovely livery either. They seemed exotic to us Tameside lads. Fancy getting that loco number for a couple of quid! Thanks again for such a wonderful comment👍
What an amazing film,I really enjoyed watching it,thank you very much for sharing it with us
You are very welcome, I am so pleased that you enjoyed the video- thank you for your lovely comment!
A wonderful story, beautifully told.
Thank you very much, very glad you enjoyed the film👍
It brings back my trainspotting memory. Never got to Bolton, but did cycle to Patricroft from Hazel Grove where I lived! Unbelievable how much everything has changed now, and how lucky we were. Happy memories.
That’s quite a ride from Hazel Grove to Patricroft- respect! Yes, it’s so shocking how things have changed. You are so right, we were lucky, weren’t we! Thanks for your great comment👍
Who remembers Bolton driver Bert Welsby? He eventually moved to Buxton, where I worked with him on freight as a guard in the late 70s/early to middle 80s. You never got a snatch off Bert when handling a loose-coupled train, perfect man with years of experience. Great video by the way!
I know that Jim Markland mentions a lot of Bolton Enginemen in his books on Bolton (Foxline) but they are about the sixties, while you are talking about the seventies. I hope somebody knows him on here. The hallmark of a driver indeed, how he handles loose coupled freight- must have been a skilled man. Thanks for your kind comment👍
I've got all of Jim Markland's Bolton books, and there are a couple of photos with Bert Welsby on them.
Thanks for this really enjoyable video great the laid back relaxed way you present it,
Thank you, I’m really pleased that you enjoyed it and thank you for your kind words👍
Wonderful, precious memories and beautifully narrated .
Thank you, so pleased you enjoyed the film, and that it brought back good memories!👍
Wonderful memories, thanks so much for showing us all of a certain age what our young lives with a love of steam engines were like.
Glad you enjoyed it! I feel so lucky to have seen the last days of real steam railways. Thanks for the comment👍
@@iainrobinson6566 me too.
@@iainrobinson6566 do you think old Grumpy might have been a engine man
@@eliotreader8220 some local lads told us he had been an engine man, but his eyes weren’t good anymore, so he was in charge of the sandfurnace. Obviously bitter!
as a kid growing up in bolton i often sneaked into the sheds to view the engines in the 60s..
this brought back fond memories.
It was great, wasn’t it! Glad I reminded you of some good times👍
Absolutely brilliant, brought back some nice memories. Barry
Thanks very much, Barry, I'm really pleased that it reminded you of some good things!
What a wonderful film, smoke, grime and coaldust included. And here's me thinking shed spotting, shed bunking in, the whole train/steam immersion....not to mention the added attraction of women, beer and motorbikes was a figment of my imagination. Thanks, totally revitaised now!
Thanks, oh, it was all real, mate! Thanks for the great comment👍
A beautifully produced and narrated film. Love it!
Thank you very much, Steve, I’m very pleased that you liked the film👍
Absolute superb, so full of memories. I was born and bred in Bolton but now live in Perth Australia. The clean locos were actually cleaned by a group of boys which I think included Steve Leyland and Harvey Scowcroft.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video!👍
I thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you. I remember hanging around Tebay sheds near Kendal. We used to make notes of the engine numbers. It was a wonderful time when nobody was glued to smart (dumb) phones.
Thanks for your comment- I would have liked to have visited Tebay shed, furthest north we got was Lostock Hall. Yes, no mobile phones to make everybody stupid… good times👍
Another beautiful film. Your narration has a beautiful tone. It communicates exactly the right mix of nostalgia and longing.
Thank you, I’m so pleased you like the video. I’m never sure, I just try to be honest and hope my feelings come through. Thanks for your very kind words👍
What an excellent production... a wonderful trip down memory lane. Being born and brought up in Bolton, I remember the sight and sound of almost every image... even the smell of Walker's Tannery. Great stuff!
Bolton was a great place, so fascinating, I regret only going twice in my teens. Oh, those tanneries though! You did sort of get used to it after a few hours, but I’ll never forget that smell. Our school was next to a dye works in Hyde, which was bad because you never got used to that. Thanks for your comment👍
Thanks Ian, pure unadulterated nostalgia. Nobody does it better than you. See you on the next one 🤙
Thank you so much! I do like to remember those days, luckily my memories are many, even if I can't remember where I put the shed key :-) You bet, there is another video in preparation! Thanks for your kind comment!
As an ex Boltonian and a train spotter to boot, this brought back many happy memories of much time spent at Bolton MPD (26C and later 9K) and Bolton Trinity St. Many of the locos shown later went on to be preserved, (45110, 45025, 44871, 48773 and others) and many more should have done, particularly 44781, 73069 and green liveried 73014 which were apparently particular pets of the Bolton enginemen.. Three of the four locos that powered the final "10 guinea special" in August 1968 had all spent some considerable time at Bolton MPD - 45110, 44871 and 44781.
Many thanks for letting me ride this reminiscence train!!
Thanks for your comment, good to hear from a Boltonian trainspotter! Yes, that green liveried standard five was special, it was a shock to see it on the scrap line on our second visit. It’s only to be expected, I suppose, that some locos were “pets”, I know Jim Markland also talks about one standard five that was never any good, “everything was too much trouble for it” he writes. Thanks again for your memories too… I was never a number taker, but I drank the atmosphere up like a fine wine👍
This was quite the watch for me as my grandfather remembered Bolton shed when he was growing up as a kid until his family moved to Australia in 1967 when he was about 10. He wasn't actually a trainspotter as his older brother was but he does recall those days in the 1960s when steam was in its closing stages.
As for the Crabs being known as "Dippers" there, I made a guess that it came from their running board's shape, high at the smokebox before "dipping" half-way along their length. Given they were all built nearby at Horwich (which my great grandfather worked at in 1956-7), wouldn't surprise me that Bolton locals came up with their nickname for them.
I’m really pleased that you enjoyed the film. I read the other day about the nickname that apparently was specific to Bolton- and you are exactly right! Wish I’d known that when I made the video, never mind. Fascinating to hear about your grandfather. 👍
Great to see back into my family's birth place. Grandad a driver on the L and Y based at Bolton, auntie lived off Green Lane, near the junction with Crescent Road, my Dad worked at the ( very smelly) tannery ( Walkers) and grew up on the 'flower estate" in Farnworth. Lived on Primrose Avenue ! The film was well-researched and edited and MUCH appreciated by me. Thank you.
Thank you very much, I’m really pleased that someone like you with very strong local roots enjoyed the video. It must be very fine to have had a Grandad who was a driver on the L&Y, I would dine out on that! Thanks for your lovely comment👍
Thanks for the memories 👍
You're very welcome!
Now this is a happy memory, I lived a couple of streets away from the shed, as did Paul Salvesen, if memory serves me he had an engine chimney in his front garden, this was my playground oh the bollockings I’ve had for being on the shed, worth it though, thank you for posting 👍
Thank you Bernie, good to hear that it reminded you of those days! That old guy that threw us off was terrifying… I pity you if he was the one giving out the bollockings! Thanks for the comment👍
@@iainrobinson6566 no the bollockings were from mum and dad
@@berniehayes9397 Yes, I got a few of those for trainspotting when I should have been in school! They didn't understand, did they?😂
Thanks Iain for yet another absolute reminiscent gem!
That's just how IT was in those halcyon days. Such memories will never fade from my memory, and so from my many visits to 9A Longsight MPD, escorted by a late uncle from depot, whom at that time was a passed fireman, 'steam entered my blood' and I joined BR in 1965.
Keep them coming good friend.👌
@@Geo46115 Thanks so much, mate! I'm so glad you enjoyed this, I hoped you would. I am working on another just now! Hope all goes well for you, thanks for the comment!👍
Great stuff! Voice and narration perfect. It takes me back to myy spotting days in the 50s and 60s. Mainly Derby, with trips all over.
So pleased that you enjoyed the video, and I’m glad it brought back some good memories. Thanks for the comment👍
Brilliant film evokes many memories of my own early teenage years at Springs Branch and patricroft shed wanderings
Thank you very much. I'm glad it brought back some good memories of spotting days.
Thank you for a beautifully told story .
I’m so glad you enjoyed the video, thank you for your comment👍
Superb video ,happy and simpler times
Thank you, very pleased you enjoyed it. Yes, simpler, happier times :-)
Love the photos and your presentation is very well done.
Thank you! I’m very pleased that you enjoyed the video👍
Brilliant video - Thank you for posting!!
You’re very welcome, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it!👍
Brilliant film. I grew up accross the valley from Horwich loco works where all my Mother`s family worked. I well remember all the steamers lined up there for scrapping. Loco works rec ently gone to build hundreds of houses.
Thank you! Horwich works was so important to the community back then... how times change. That must have been a sad sight, seeing all the steam locos waiting for the cutters torch. I'm glad I brought back some memories, thanks for your comment.
I have lived in Bolton for nearly forty years. Most of what you showed in the video had gone by the time I came here. I still remember the 'Beehive' mill though. I also remember the railway station being rebuilt 'across the road', never understood why that happened!
Over the years, I've developed an interest in looking at old maps of areas that I am curious about. A lot of the online sites that host such maps want to charge an arm and a leg for just looking at them. However, I have found that the National Library of Scotland online, has a great selection of British maps for free!
Thank you for the video Sir. You have a new subscriber.
That makes me feel very old, but then, I am😂 I feel very lucky to have seen the last of old Bolton, even if I was probably too young to appreciate it. I never understood the idea behind the railway re-jig either. Like you, I love old maps, they’re essential exploring old mines and industrial sites, which I love to do. The NLoS are so good, glad you have discovered them too. Thanks for your comment👍
And the subscribe👍👍
A magical bit of nostalgia.
Excellent presentation, with no hype. Such a pleasure to watch and listen to.
Thank you.
Subscribed.
Thank you so much, that means a lot. Thank you also for subscribing👍
Brilliant work! By the time I went round Bolton shed, it was run down with only a couple of locos, much of the tracks out of use
That’s a shame😕 we were lucky I think, it was quite tidy and workmanlike in the mid sixties. Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for your comment👍
Great content, marvellous commentary. Thanks.
Really pleased that you enjoyed the video, thank you👍
that world was so much better than this one, so beautiful to see it brought back to life this way, thank you
I'm really pleased that the video evoked some good memories, thank you for your comment :-)
Fantastic Iain , brings memories flooding back ,you're a very good story teller , I look forward to your next video with anticipation
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your kind words, and yes, I’ve got a couple of similar films in preparation. 👍
@@iainrobinson6566 I've watched your other videos ,ie Patricroft and Manchester Victoria , it's not just the wonderful steam images but your story telling really brings them to life and makes them a cut above
@@Shadypiez336 that’s made my day, thank you! 👍🙏
@@iainrobinson6566 You're very welcome Iain and very well deserved 🙂
Wonderful nostalgia! Many years ago a Bolton chap called Dennis Armitage told me that "Crabs" were known as "Dippers" because of the pronounced dip in the running plate. Many of us from the Wirral loved Birkenhead's Crabs and nearly saved our star loco 42942 but couldn't raise the cash. Thanks for the memories though.
Aah, thankyou! It’s that “dip” in the running plate that endears them to me.I wish you had been able to save that Birkenhead “Crab” though. Glad you enjoyed the film👍
Lovely video. Many thanks. 👍🙂
You are most welcome, thank you👍
Every second of that video brought happy memories of my days living in Bolton as a child,from sneaking into the shed on a Saturday, to the buses,loved the buses in Bolton! Now here in York all the buses are electric, the images of burden park many happy memories the world's best football team still! A million thanks for a wonderful video ❤😊
Thank you! I’m so pleased that my film gave you pleasure… yes, my memories of Bolton are good ones, it’s good to know that locals too are still very fond of the place. The buses, though- they were great, weren’t they! Thanks for your lovely comment👍
Brings back poignant memories for me. My grandmother lived in Ainsworth & in the early 1960’s I visited a few times,however being an avid’gricer’ shed visits were a given. I recall 26C being full of WD 2-8-0’s,LYR 3F 0-60’s, ‘Crabs’, LMS 2-6-4T’s,the odd BR 2-6-2T for the Horwich push-pull plus miscellaneous other locos. ,some ex Horwich Works. My home town was Luton,I would travel to Manchester Central on the ‘Palatine’ across to Victoria & a local to Bolton. I,also, used to travel around the area ‘bunking’ all the sheds. Magic moments,great days!
My goodness, that is quite a trek! I would have loved to have travelled on the "Palatine", Jubilee hauled no doubt. I didn't see the ex-L&Y class 25's, would have loved that. My partner comes from Luton... there was quite a bit of loco action down there too in the early sixties, wasn't there. Those WD 2-8-0's were quite impressive! Thanks for your comment :-)
The ‘Palatine’ in those days was mostly Britannia hauled,sometimes a Royal Scot. This was as a result of the West Coast electification & consequent speeding up of the Midland line Manchester expresses. I recall one time 70017 failed at Flitwick with a broken mechanical lubricator & we had 45137 replacement,exciting run only 15 minute late arrival
@@alantunbridge8919 A Britannia, eh? Now I’m doubly envious! That run with 45137 must have been .. er… interesting! The crew were obviously on their mettle. 👍
@@iainrobinson6566 Maybe to make you even more envious I had a run from Blackpool Central to Bolton behind Clan 72004 on 21.07.1960,unexpected but interesting. Polmadie Britannias, Scots& obviously Clans on occasion used to regularly work to Manchester Victoria on the daily Glasgow & Edinburgh to Manchester & Liverpool express, combining at Carstairs & splitting at Preston the loco. going forward to Manchester,saw them at Newton Heath. Newton Heath were not beyond borrowing these locos. as I saw firsthand. During the West Coast electrification there was a Manchester Victoria to St.Pancras Sundays only express, I used to go to Luton Midland Road to see it as it would have a 26A ‘Jubilee’ or something similar as the engine,imagine my surprise when 70054 of 66A turned up one time.
Great memories of shed bashing, I never got to do that in steam days So much has changed around there. I have The Love Match on VHS not watched it in years, I think I will have to root it out.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the film. Sorry you didn’t have the shedbashing adventures, I hope my little film has given you some of the atmosphere though. Thanks for your comment👍
@@iainrobinson6566 It certainly does.
What a great video reminds me of shed bashing in Manchester in 1968 and wish I could have done more. Only so much I could do at 14 from Blackpool/ Simply a superb production once of the best in the steam age. Thankyou
Thank you! Oh, yes, the frustration of being 14 and having no money to get to sheds was a real problem. Dave and I resorted to skipping school and saving up our dinner money… tough times, I’m sure you resorted to similar measures! Thank you for your kind comments about the video, much appreciated! 👍
Grew up near to Edgehill sidings went to sleep to the sound of engines shunting and the tinkle of buffer kissed wagons.
The sound of my childhood too. Something that was once such a commonplace sound, now only heard in old films. I love your “buffer kissed wagons”👍
I born in the 1950's and my parents would go on holiday and taken to Blackpool and I remember the steam trains at Victoria station.
Victoria station had 14 platforms and today it has changed dramatically compared to its former glory.
Found on Manchester City council web sight archive photos of the station some from the 1920's and including exchange station showing bomb damage from WW2.
Thanks, good to hear of your memories👍 Have you seen my Manchester Victoria video, it’s on my channel? Thanks very much for your comment😊
Wonderful!
Thank you! Cheers!👍
Being born in Urmston Manchester vic was a favourite spotting station but unfortunately I missed steam as I was 11 in 68 😢 Thanks for sharing this and narrating it so well lain sad as it may be but the memories are there for us 👍🏻
Yes, Vicc was a great place. Some of my mates got to know the banker drivers, but I was too shy to speak to them. It still had a great atmosphere in the seventies, too. Thanks for your kind words- I’m so glad that we both have the memories of those days👍
Excellent thank you for sharing
My pleasure, so glad that you enjoyed the film👍
I remember travelling up in a coach (bus type)from Peterborough with a local enthusiasts group. I wish I could remember more about the trip. I do recall one locomotive where the driving wheels had locked up but the locomotive carried on moving.
I know what you mean about memories, there are some big gaps in mine, while other sequences are in great detail. Yes, I saw a few instances at Edgehill where light engines would skid down into the shed… it was a bit of an incline😂 Thanks for your comment👍
Very well produced Iain, took me back in time.
That’s my aim, thank you for saying that, I’m so glad you enjoyed the video👍
I was a trainspotter at Bolton in the late 50s and early 60s, used to trainspot on the footbridge from Trinity Street to Great Moor street, it was always full of spotters on a Saturday morning, the attraction being the 0930 Manchester to Glasgow train which had a restaurant car included, it always had a named loco hauling it, Britannias, Clans, Royal Scots, were quite common. Regarding the shed me and my mate Bob Collinston have been slung out of there many times!.
Wow, that sounds so good. We were a bit later, 65 onwards… so we caught the tail end of the Scots and the Patriots although did see Brits at Man Vic. I envy you your experiences, thanks for your comment👍
Yes, I was one of them. Remember the pies from the cafe?
yes I do, I think they sold pasties as well!@@davidaspinall496
lovely story keep them coming
Thank you , I am working on another right now👍
Loved the video, I grew up in the Smoke, we were spoiled for choice - all regions except the Scottish to choose from - but it always seemed that only a small selection actually reached London, and we dreamed of Edge Hill, Longsight, Polmadie and all the others in the North. And I, too, loved industry as such, even some that really stank - there were surely some wreckers around to ruin British industry.
Thank you, yes, I’m on the same page as you. I grew up in Tameside, with all its canals and mills, what a fascinating place to a ten year old, and became more so as I grew older. Now it’s all featureless tin sheds. Glad you enjoyed the video👍
Brilliant - thanks ...
You're welcome! So pleased that you enjoyed the video👍
Just wonderful !!!! Thanks
I’m so glad that you enjoyed it, thank you👍
Harvey Scowcroft was1 year above me at school and he used to arrange outings for train spotters to Barry, Crewe, Carlisle and others, all without teacher or parent supervision and about 20 kids. Brilliant! Wouldn’t be allowed now though!
That doesn’t surprise me, he was quite a character as well as being a brilliant photographer. No, trips like that wouldn’t go down well these days😂👍
@@iainrobinson6566 Hi Iain, I have a photo of Harvey on the buffer beam on the last train from Horwich. If you wish I can email it to you
That 'pong from the tanneries' was from our family business - Walker and Martin, Dri-Ped Ltd. Just after the war it was the biggest tannery in the world, employing around 1,500 people. You mention Arthur Askey in the Love March. In his earlier film 'Band Waggon', Arthur sings one of his 'silly songs' called 'A pretty little bird am I'. One of the lines goes "My liver's like a Dri-Ped sole". Sadly, like everything else highlighted in your nostalgic video, the tannery is no more.
Very interesting, thanks for your comment👍
Great stuff
Thank you very much👍
brilliant thank you very much
I'm really glad you enjoyed the film, thanks for your comment! :-)
Reminds me of the days we used to sneak into Lower Darwen sheds in the early 60's .
Great stuff! I never got to Lower Darwen, it was on the list, but August '68 came around far too soon. Thanks for your comment :-)
Golden days big time
Golden days, indeed! Thanks for your comment👍
That was superb
Thank you so much👍
It's interesting to see in your video many locos still sporting the early BR emblem, even as late as 1966.
Blimey, yes, you are right! Very observant of you. I wonder if in the sixties, full repaints and transfers were not going to happen... I saw lots of locos with freshly painted smokeboxes, or patch painting on the cabs, but no overall refreshes, at least I can't remember any. What a good point you make, thank you.
@iainrobinson6566 I don't remember mainline steam, but the lack of maintenance and general care was a feature, especially after it was decided to get rid of it by 1968. I guess the top flight passenger locos had the lion's share of whatever care & attention was available, but everything else - as you say - was patched up in a make-do-and-mend approach. It's easy to see why trainspotting was such a popular pastime: all that variety, plus the drama, noise and motion steam engines provide!
Brilliant Iain, loved every second of it
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, thank you for commenting!
superb and I am glad I was able to assist with this
Thank you so much, Chris, the clips of yours were so perfect! That L&Y class 25 is so fine and the inside motion going round as well! Thanks again, you are a star :-)
Simply brilliant! Stuff mainstream TV. Let's have more of this for entertainment.
That is very kind, thank you! Very pleased that you enjoyed the film, I'm trying to do one a month, so there will be another coming along! Thanks for the lovely comment :-)
Bolton shed interior was quite clean in the 60s. It rarely had named locos and was a predominantly freight depot. The staff were pleasant but plain plain speaking e.g. "If tha'rt cowd tha mon change thi' butcher."
The station was interesting for a spotter, Manchester Victoria straight on, Bury and Rochdale left and Blackburn almost due north and very busy.
Went back to Bolton, briefly, in 2004 and barely recognized anything - the town centre was attractive in the past, now very run down.
Apart from that old gowk that threw us out, Bolton felt very friendly. The local lads were happy to share intel about locos and we didn't have any bother, unlike at Lostock Hall when someone chased us with an axe or a shovel, I can't remember which.The shed seemed clean and tidy in '66 and the fitters were very busy. I wouldn't like to go back, all the modern jimcrack buildings and so many of the mills knocked down... at least that's how it seems from google street view. Thanks for your comment :-)
Excellent as usual
Thanks very much, mate👍
Wonderful trip down nostalgia lane. The 1963 photo of the little boys on the bridge at 1:12 brought back very happy memories. I'm 71 now but the little boy in shorts near the middle could easily have been me. I was 11 in September that year and loved hanging over the footbridge near my home watching the trains and waving at the locomotive crew. They always waved back. Wasn’t it a great time to be a boy? I've subscribed.
Thank you, so glad this struck a chord with you! I know what you mean, locomen were usually friendly, especially to us boys. It was a brilliant time to be young, we were so lucky. Thank you for your subscription, there’s usually a new video every month.👍
@iainrobinson6566 Like you, I grew up in the twilight of steam and I've loved steam locomotives ever since. When I was small, my dad took me open day at a locomotive works. One loco had its smoke box door open and had a set of steps so you could climb up and look inside - which I did. Unfortunately in my haste, I tripped and tumbled head first into the smoke box. I came out black from head to toe. When dad reached me a kindly railway man was vainly trying to clean me up. I've never forgotten that episode or the scrubbing I got in the bath when we got home. It gives me a laugh everytime I think of it. Your mention of your pal Dave getting covered in coal dust, and the reception you received from all but the grouchy rail worker reminded me of it.
@@bahoonies That’s a lovely story, and I’m so glad that the trip into the smokebox didn’t put you off steam locos! I agree, the locomen were generally kindly, and tried not to see us, unless you were doing something dangerous. They had a certain nobility, probably because of the many years learning their craft, and the best ones had a respect for each other. Nothing like that these days. Thanks for your memories, and for your kind comment👍
@iainrobinson6566 Put me off? Ha, not a chance. l mean it's not every boy who gets the chance fall into a smoke box?
@@bahoonies 🤣🤣👍
My aunt lived in Crescent Road opposite the mill. I used to walk in and out of the shed without any fuss. I recall that the freight locos were used mainly to bring coal from the Wigan collieries to Spa Road gasworks in Bolton.
Thanks for your comment. I wish I’d have been nearer to the shed… did you have a strategy for getting in … we were not lucky! 👍
@@iainrobinson6566 No strategy. We just walked in through the entrance. It was always on a Sunday so the place was usually deserted.
@@icdgyixifyinstereo ah, yes… I guess our friend from the sand furnace would be having his beef and yorkshire pudding 😀 glad you got round without bother👍
Great video, the coaling stage look very like the one at Stoke loco depot.
Thank you, very pleased that you enjoyed the video. I never made it to Stoke, although I know there were some great cops to be had there.
As a lad I climbed onto the footplate of a saddle tank at 26c where I was educated into the operation of the regulator by a more experienced young man. I lived on Green Lane near Bolton Cricket Club
A great experience, there can’t be many who can say that!👍
Brilliant 👍👍
Thank you!
Happy days lucky boys😮
Thank you! Yes, we were lucky lads, and we knew it. but so frustrating not to be out there every day spotting and bashing :-)
Thanks
Thank you so much❤️
Went in there umpteen times even und ermeath one mine you that was when i was around 12yr old now 82
Some great times and super memories, I’ll bet! Our age is our badge of admission to those great times, eh? 👍
I had to look on Google maps to see if Bee Hive mill had been demolished. I had no idea, my mum used to take us to the catalogue returns shop inside there. It was occupied by Gus catalogue/white arrow. I still live fairly local and had no idea it had been demolished.
That must have been a blow! It was a listed building, but they demolished it anyway. It would have made great apartments, too. Thanks very much for your comment👍
I believe Fred visited Bolton Loco shed on the way from school in the 1950s
Ah, I wouldn’t be surprised, he was a true steam man. Thanks for the info👍
I can confirm it was a number 8bus you would have got
Thanks, good to know my memory was OK! 👍
Good Ole Dave, hope you're still in touch ?!😄
Sadly, no :-( When we went to university, he studied maths at Oxford whilst I went to Manchester to study Art and English. Last I heard he was a lecturer, but I've never been able to find him on the web. A shame because we were good mates, although I was always the intellectual lightweight :-)
Something we've mostly forgotten now is the idea you'd not know where something was/how to get to it and having a map was unheard of!
Before Google Maps and detailed local atlases, the world was a mystery - you has to ask people and trust they weren't making-it-up (no-one likes to say "I don't know"!) I delivered stuff in the early 00s and there wasn't an up-to-date map of my own town - let alone satellite pictures of most of the Earth!
Modern trainspotting revolves around the Realtimetrains website and social media - you don't go out to see what you can find, you go-out knowing what you'll see and surprises are rare - there's a bit of magic been lost - the world is less of an adventure (and has WAY too many fences)
Thanks for sharing!
You're absolutely right. Back then we had to ask folk where a depot was, and if you were skipping school, that could spell trouble. That's a very good point you make about the loss of surprise and happenstance. Oh, the fences, I hate those. They look so ugly apart from anything else. In another life, I had a summer job delivering stuff around Manchester in the seventies... the A to Z wasn't very accurate and it was a problem reading it while dodging bollards and old ladies :-) Bad times. But there was something exciting about wondering what was coming down the line, and what was round the next bend! Thanks for your super comment!
Remember it all well 👍
Glad you enjoyed it👍
Why did you take the bus to Bolton rather than the train? cheaper?
A fabulous presentation. Thanks so much.
We also had a thing for buses and wanted to ride a Bolton bus, you didn’t see them that often in our part of Manchester. When we saw it was a new Atlantean, it was a no-brainer! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video, and thanks for your kind words👍
@@iainrobinson6566 I see! Best of both worlds then.
Wonderful images and narrative. My fav is the second photograph👍. Do you sell prints?
Thank you, I’m really pleased that you enjoyed the video. I’m sorry, I don’t sell prints, but the second photo of the 7F is a creative commons image by Ben Brooksbank, and you will probably be able to get an image from his Geograph link.👍
Sorry, I just realised that the second shot is one of mine. I’m afraid I’m not in a position to sell prints but thanks anyway👍
@@iainrobinson6566 It is a wonderful study of crew and locomotive👍👍👍
@@stephensmith799 Thank you🙏 I was only fifteen, so it’s a bit of a miracle, really! And my Mum destroyed many of my negs later because she didn’t like the girl I went out with… 🥴
@@iainrobinson6566 Ah.. my mother gave my gf and the wife a lot of trouble too😏🤨
Did you know Fred.
Sadly, no… my brother met him a few times at steam rallies and said he was very charismatic and knew so much. Would have loved to have known him.👍
@@iainrobinson6566 l wish l met him, he was obsessed about steam, etc. He was a great man, Bolton Council should be ashamed for not turning Fred's workshops into a museum..... 🤔🇬🇧🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷
@@albertcross4275 you’re absolutely right. He was a real renaissance man, Bolton Council missed a trick.👍
NOTLOB
😀
A wonderful showing. So real. So accurate. Beautiful narration. I was there the last week June 1968 watching 45073 going up and down for us. 45318.my number plate, all legal for £2. Loved the bus too no.8.
It is all still there in my head. A lovelly story, brilliant absolutely, production. Captures the truth of it all so well. Loved every moment. It took me back where I was. My driver father took us when he went to collect his wage. Saw an austin 7.At 6yrs old I was, so it was all very normal. Beautiful memories. Thankyou so much.
Lindsay Flintoff.1950
@@LindsayFlintoff-hc2cm thank you for your lovely comment and the very kind words❤️🙏 Your memories of the shed are fascinating … to have had a father who was a driver, and to have a memory of the loco being paraded back and forth for you, wonderful! Bolton buses were very special, not just because of the lovely livery either. They seemed exotic to us Tameside lads. Fancy getting that loco number for a couple of quid! Thanks again for such a wonderful comment👍
@@iainrobinson6566 👍
@@LindsayFlintoff-hc2cm Did you see any steam locos being cut up for scrap ?