| Pikes Pool Lane, which is near Burcot, and about a mile from Bromsgrove, has played an important part in my life. Particularly where the lane passes under the Lickey Incline. Close to the bridge is a stile, from which a footpath leads across farmland almost parallel to the railway line. In recent years this has become a popular spot to photograph trains climbing the incline. But in 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's, I had it to myself. In the part of the field close to the stile, I trainspotted, I did more than a little courting, I revised for my GCE examinations, ditto for my Chartered Accountancy examinations. And later had many family picnics there, with my wife and our two sons. | ||||
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For several
years from about 1960 onwards, particularly from the date I acquired my own car
(Well an Austin Mini-Van, no purchase tax, £360 cost), visits to Pikes Pool
lane became a regular Sunday evening event during the summer months.
Sunday evenings were busy. Southbound there was a York to Bristol, a Newcastle to Bristol, and a Sheffield to Bristol semi fast. Northbound there was a Bristol to Birmingham local , a Gloucester to Darlington, the 7.20pm Bristol to Newcastle Mail, a Bristol to Darlington, and, bringing up the rear, a Bristol to Leicester semi fast, which had come via Worcester. |
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| But one Sunday evening in 1962 (it might have been 1961 or 1963, I no longer have my notes) was special. I seem to recall that with me was my brother Carl, and his friend Bill. The normal service trains produced the usual selection of Jubilees, Black 5's, and a Standard 5. But we waited a little longer. The previous week had produced Britannia class 4-6-2 no 70015 Apollo, on a return excursion from Weston super Mare. | ||||
| So would the excursion be running on this Sunday. We soon found out. It had been a beautiful evening, and was now dusk. A slight breeze from the south west picked up the sounds of a train stopping at Bromsgrove South. We heard the bankers buffer up, whistle, and an acknowledging hoot from the train engine. Straight away there was the unmistakable 3 cylinder Jubilee beat. Looking down the incline from the trackside (sorry, yes we were trespassing), we could see that she was coming fast and furious. I swear I have never seen a steam train come up the Lickey so fast. 13 coaches and two 84xx 0-6-0 Panniers bringing up the rear. And what was up front. None other than 45733 Novelty, one of the former Bushbury "elites". In no time at all, we heard the bankers shut down at Blackwell, and we continued to hear the Jubilee roar away towards Barnt Green. | ||||
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| It truly was the finest sound I have ever heard. Typing these notes is bringing tears to my eyes. Long may the 3 remaining Jubilees be with us. And please can we have one up the Lickey. |
