JOHN HOBBS PHOTO COLLECTION

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The following photographs were all taken by John Hobbs. John was born in Prestatyn, his first memories of
steam trains were on the Dyserth branch, followed by busy summer Saturdays watching trains steam hard out of Prestatyn;
these trains were trying to gain speed to pick up water on the water troughs.
His hobby developed into ever increasing dashes around the UK until steam finished in 1968.

Most images were taken with an Agfa Isoly 3 a 120 roll film camera which took "Superslide" pictures on 120 roll film, but some
were taken with John's Father's old 'Box camera' and a "Brownie"44a.

He served his apprenticeship with De Havillands and Hawker Siddeley Aviation at Chester followed by thirty five years
in the Engineering Insurance industry at first inspecting machinery in the slate quarries and construction industry
in North Wales and later nationally based in Manchester while he lived in Warrington.

His interest in steam railways continued at first with trips to France and Germany and later to
Switzerland, Eastern Europe, South Africa and China.

He started work on the East Lancashire Railway in 1994 where he still volunteers, amongst other jobs, as a Fireman.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY GEOFF POOLE

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Normal copyright rules apply.
John Hobbs holds the copyright to all of the following photographs on this page.
Please contact this website through the email link on the HOMEPAGE before any attempt
is made to copy or publish any image on this page.

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"Castle" Class 4-6-0 7011 Barry Castle arrives at Chester with the 11.10 Paddington to Birkenhead - Woodside on 1st September 1963.

Hughes "Crab" 2-6-0 42753 bowls through Prestatyn with an ECS 3Z32 on 31st March 1964.

"Royal Scot" Class 4-6-0 46148 The Manchester Regiment in steam at 6G on 26th March 1964.

Midland Railway, 3F, 43618 at Ffordisa road bridge dropping me off near my house in South Avenue 1960.
What a treat! a ride in the brake van and a lift nearly to the door!

"Western" Class diesel D1036 Western Emperor leaves Chester crossing over the canal and under the City walls
with the 16.30 Birkenhead (Woodside) to London (Paddington) on 8th September 1963.
Two "Chocolate and Cream" livery coaches head the formation.

Midland Railway, 3F 43618 at Dyserth in 1960, the train stopped within 50 yards my house to drop me off, I was 13 at the time.

LMS Class 5 4-6-0 45025, an early build of the class with combined dome and top feed, passes
Nant Hall signalbox, between Talacre and Prestatyn, with a Sunday excursion from Stoke to the seaside, on 9th September 1963;
interestingly this box only controlled the Down Line; the box was usually in use on a Saturday, in the summer, to split the
section between Talacre and Prestatyn however this being a Sunday it is switched out, the distant arms are controlled by Prestatyn.
The second vehicle is in the Western Region "Chocolate and Cream" livery a little off course.

Class B1, No.61004 "Oryx" leaves Prestatyn with the 1M64 Sheffield to Llandudno 29th June 1963.

LMS Class 5 4-6-0 45438 having picked up water on Prestatyn water troughs heads for Chester on the up slow
with the Sunday morning Holyhead to London (Broad Street) container train on 20th October 1963.

"Royal Scot" -4-6-0 46152 leaves Prestatyn with the 12 noon Manchester Exchange to Holyhead on 8th April 1964.

LMS Class 5 4-6-0 45403 having used the turntable at the former Rhyl depot, the locomotive heads off
to take up its next duty towards Chester on the 27th December 1963.

"Royal Scot" Class 4-6-0 46155 The Lancer waits to leave Llandudno Junction with the 9.20 Crewe to Holyhead on 26th March 1964.

45237 leads 1054 (58926) through Prestatyn on 23rd December 1963 en route to its new home at Penrhyn Castle Museum at Bangor.

44595 heads the afternoon Menai Bridge to Rugby off Prestatyn troughs in fine style probably
the last time a 4F headed this train off the coast, usually it was something larger
than a 4F; 8F's were the usual power, 6th September 1963.

70047 leaves Prestatyn and heads past Nant Hall 8.10 Saturdays Only Holyhead to Crewe on the 8th February 1964.

"Britannia" 4-6-2 70029 Shooting Star on Prestatyn water troughs with the return excursion 1Z33 on the 3rd August 1964.

"Coronation" 46251 City of Nottingham at Chester with the 12.10 Holyhead to Willesden stock train on

"Coronation" 4-6-2 46245 City of London passes Prestatyn with the up relief "Irish Mail"
at about 17.10 on the 10th August 1964.

2251 0-6-0 3208 at Llandudno Junction following its use during the winter as a snow plough engine; in this view
it is not fitted with a snow plough but has a tail lamp, what did they use her for; any ideas? 19th March 1965.

56XX 0-6-2T 6604 a most unusual visitor to Llandudno Junction during attention on the wheel drop at 6G. 19th March.1965.

Llandudno Junction - Mystery picture! 6604 & 3208 amongst the Black 5's at Llandudno Junction.
Looks more like a GWR depot. 19th March 1965.

LMS Class 5 4-6-0 No.45348 approaches the Fforddisa Bridge, Prestatyn on the 1 in 45 gradient
with the daily goods to Dyserth on 26th March 1964.

48246 passes Abergele with an east bound ballast 26th March 1964. The renowned Abergele rake of Camping Coaches
rest in the background during their winter rest.

"Royal Scot" 46152 King's Dragoon Guardsman passes Connahs Quay station with the evening Holyhead to Rugby Goods 28th April 1964;
this was one of the last two Scots allocated to Holyhead and the start of her last summer of working from Holyhead.

LMS Class 5 4-6-0 45156 Ayrshire Yeomanry shunts at Dyserth, a rare event a namer at Dyserth, 14th September 1963.
The engine is propelling wagons on the sharply curved quarry siding, Moel Hiraddug; the source of the limestone looms in the background.

BR Standard "Caprotti" valve gear Class 5 4-6-0 73130 passes Rockcliffe Hall signal box with an afternoon freight
from Mold Junction to Menai Bridge 30th April 1964.

LMS Class 5 4-6-0 No. 45285 approaches Ffordisa Bridge, Prestatyn working the morning Dyserth
Goods, on 2nd May 1964, interestingly conveying inbound coal traffic on what was the last day that
wagon load traffic could be dispatched to Dyserth.

"Coronation" 46235 City of Birmingham leaves Prestatyn with the 2-50pm Holyhead to Crewe 29th June 1964.

"Coronation" 4-6-2 46256 Sir William A Stanier F.R.S. on Llandudno Junction 24th July 1964 about the time
she was trialed for use on the Llandudno to Manchester "Club" train on 24th July 1964.

"Coronation" 46238 City of Carlisle leaves Prestatyn with the 2-50pm Holyhead to Crewe 10th August 1964.

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