The enthusiasts who celebrate the age of steam

Steam locomotives are a poignant reminder of a time when Britain’s railways kept the country on track and were the arteries of industry.

There is an undeniable sense of nostalgia that can be felt when in the company of steam trains.

The engines themselves are working symbols of British heritage and industrialisation which inspire great passion in steam engine fanatics of all ages.

The drivers prepare for the journey (Photo: Angus Blackburn)

LNER Class A4 3388 No 60009 Union of South Africa was built in Doncaster in 1937 and is one of only six surviving Gresley A4s that are currently operational, these photographs were taken as it hauled ten coaches on the Forth Circle tour operated by The Scottish Railway Preservation Society, taking in Linlithgow,
Dalmeny and Inverkeithing.

LNER D49 Class No 246 The Morayshire was built at Darlington Works in 1928 and operated out of Haymarket in Edinburgh.

The Union of South Africa with a full head of steam passing Longannet power station in Fife (Photo: Angus Blackburn)

This magnificent locomotive is now owned by the National Museums of Scotland and is looked after by dedicated volunteers at Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway in West Lothian.

The Scottish Railway Preservation Society operates the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway where there is a museum and visitor attraction.

For more details click HERE.

The Union of South Africa ‘coaling up’ at Bo’ness station (Photo: Angus Blackburn)

• This feature was originally published in 2013.