A remarkable image supplied by Ian Clark of the Stephenson Locomotive Society. But where was this picture taken? Click for a larger version.

Here’s an unusual one that came in yesterday afternoon. When I saw the picture kindly supplied by Ian, I immediately thought of the image of a similar charter in Bill Mayo and John Sale’s great book ‘Memories of Old Walsall Wood’, which I include at the foot of the post.

I can’t say if this was the Conduit or not – but between the lad in the foreground and the two gents in centre field, that definitely seems to be the Cannock Chase skyline. The placement of the slag heap in map in the Conduit post seems to suggest this was the line past Chasewater, I think.

Thanks to Ian for the fascinating enquiry.

If anyone has any ideas, please do comment or mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

Hello Bob,

I am a member of the Stephenson Locomotive Society and I am working with the SLS Library to clear up mystery photographs.

We have a photograph, which I attach, which is believed have been taken on 30/5/1959 as part of an SLS Rail Tour. A reference to this tour can be seen on the Six Bells Junction website. A image that appears similar to that attached can be seen on the Chasewater Railway website:

http://chasewaterstuff.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/

First I am seeking to confirm that our photo is indeed at Conduit Colliery. The Chasewater Railway if I read the webpage correctly was on site from 1963 and subsequently dismantled the track. I do not know whether there was any significance in the SLS visit to Conduit Colliery such as last train there? Can you help with this?

Regards,

Ian Clark.