The Last Days of Steam Around Nottingham and Derby

The Last Days of Steam Around Nottingham and Derby Synopsis

Nottingham railwayman and photographer Bill Reed is now eighty and is celebrating the occasion by delving into his vast photographic archive and presenting us with unique images of the last days of steam around Nottingham and Derby. Dating from the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s these images are amongst the first he took and they are from once well known vantage points of scenes now mostly obliterated by the march of time. Some of Bill's favorite local locations include ones at New Basford, Bagthorpe Junction, Bulwell Common, Bulwell Hall, the 'Rat Hole, ' Toton, Watnall and Derby. Pictures carefully captured at Bulwell Common are from the bottom of his dad's allotment located at the Hucknall Road/St Alban's Road junction. It is also remarkable to hear that at the tender age of 16, Bill was never challenged about taking pictures on railway property. 'Nobody bothered in those days, ' recalls Bill. 'I always behaved responsibly, wandered wherever I pleased, took as many pictures as I liked and cleared off. No trouble at all. And I enjoyed every minute.' The picture captions give brief yet concise histories of locations - sheds and stations - as well as detailed information about a particular locomotive's build dates, allocations, alterations and withdrawa

About This Edition