The Stanier 4-6-2

Known as 'Big Lizzies' by their drivers, the Coronation class locos were built in Crewe for the LMS Railway. They first appeared in 1937, and disappeared after 1965 along with all other steam locos. Some were streamined, but not all. The streamlining was fitted originally when they first started pulling the 'Royal Scot', but it was later removed as it did nothing for speed and impeded maintenance.     

Duchess of Hamilton is now preserved at the York Railway Museum in streamlined form. The Coronation class locos were not the worlds most famous British locos. That honour goes to A3 4472 Flying Scotsman of the LNER. They were't the fastest either. That honour goes to A4 4462 Mallard of the LNER. They were, however, the largest, most powerful locos ever built for use on British rails, and arguably the most beautiful steam locos ever built anywhere in the world (not the streamlined versions).  

 It wasn't all glamour. Rogue embers from the fire boxes could start fires in fields and on washing lines that were close to the tracks, and houses built adjacent to the tracks close to major stations were blackened by the continual output of soot in the smoke.   

 It still remains one of the iconic sights in Britain, an express loco charging across the countryside, laying a plume of white smoke behind it. See one in action. Sit back and enjoy the sight and sound of the Duchess of Sutherland and other preserved Great British Steam Engines..

The London Taxi

Most were all black, some were maroon, and some were a mix of the two colours.

The bodies were made by Carbodies, the mechanics underneath courtesy of Austin, and the vehicle was badged 'FX4', was designed to be 'easy entry', could turn in 24 feet, and there are/were thousands of them.


Later models could even be fitted with wheelchair access..

To be a London Taxi driver, you need to have the 'knowledge'. You get this by riding around London and environ on a scooter. Want to know what you have to know? Read this.. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/businessandpartners/taxisandprivatehire/1412.aspx

Black Sabbath

Fronted by Ozzy Osbourne, they were 'The very best heavy' group ever. I remember sitting in a room, lit only by a church tower shaped candle, headphones on, blitzing my ears with the first track on their first album. It was called 'Black Sabbath', and the tracks that followed it were just a huge bonus.

I don't hear so well these days, and I don't doubt that Ozzy and the guys were partly to blame, but it was all worth it.

Sit back and listen..