A Tribute to the Late Bob Taylor
Guy Vincent and Martin Scane
Guy Vincent and Martin Scane
You will find a growing selection of photographs taken by Bob Taylor on this website. The story behind these pictures and what’s more, how they were saved, makes very interesting reading.
Guy Vincent writes –
Back in 2004 I obtained a quantity of railway photographs from a fellow enthusiast. The photos were in a large cardboard box and had apparently been donated with other bric-a-brac to a charity shop in Warminster by Bobs niece The shop manager had given them to my acquaintance; she considered them to be unsaleable as many were loose with some still in the original wallets as received from the processors with negatives. The photos span the period 1962-1997 and are chiefly British with some foreign mixed in for good measure. Several days were spent sorting the pictures out and in more recent times I have scanned some of the better shots onto my computer. I discovered that the photos were all taken by a former railway employee named Bob Taylor who lived and worked at Westbury. He was a fireman in steam days then transferred to the signalling grades following the withdrawal of steam in the mid 1960s. Bob was a keen enthusiast and amateur photographer and took pictures at work and during time off when he went further afield. Of great help to me was the fact that virtually all the photos are dated, often with the time, location details, loco numbers and workings all recorded. Unfortunately Bob was in poor health towards the end of his life and passed away in 1997/98. He lived at Westbury.
I'll send occasional images to you for inclusion on the CRS website so that Bob's efforts can be enjoyed by a wider audience.
A further twist to the story and memories of Bob Taylor is that Martin Scane, a fairly recent contributor to this site remembers Bob. In fact he knew him well and travelled the footplate with him as a lad of 10 or 11. It is likely that we may see pictures by Bob and Martin taken from the same train!
Martin Scane writes –
Thanks for posting the Westbury pictures of the late Bob Taylor. I knew him as a young lad (he was a fireman at Westbury). There were a group of us who went on several trips organised by Bob in the early 60s especially to Bournemouth, Eastleigh and Southampton. We made one trip to London and on to Peterborough (Deltic both ways from Kings Cross). Bob was very confident that as a railwayman we would be allowed entry to New England shed which was bristling with steam. We were very forcibly turned away-such a shame.
Bob arranged a very unofficial footplate trip for me (I must have been 10 I reckon) from Trowbridge to Westbury yard on 2200(Collett 0-6-0). I remember having to crouch down as we passed slowly through Westbury station in case an inspector saw me!
Martin Scane Many thanks to you Martin
Bob was obviously a very pleasant gentleman – we hope to show more of his pictures in his memory.
Guy Vincent writes –
Back in 2004 I obtained a quantity of railway photographs from a fellow enthusiast. The photos were in a large cardboard box and had apparently been donated with other bric-a-brac to a charity shop in Warminster by Bobs niece The shop manager had given them to my acquaintance; she considered them to be unsaleable as many were loose with some still in the original wallets as received from the processors with negatives. The photos span the period 1962-1997 and are chiefly British with some foreign mixed in for good measure. Several days were spent sorting the pictures out and in more recent times I have scanned some of the better shots onto my computer. I discovered that the photos were all taken by a former railway employee named Bob Taylor who lived and worked at Westbury. He was a fireman in steam days then transferred to the signalling grades following the withdrawal of steam in the mid 1960s. Bob was a keen enthusiast and amateur photographer and took pictures at work and during time off when he went further afield. Of great help to me was the fact that virtually all the photos are dated, often with the time, location details, loco numbers and workings all recorded. Unfortunately Bob was in poor health towards the end of his life and passed away in 1997/98. He lived at Westbury.
I'll send occasional images to you for inclusion on the CRS website so that Bob's efforts can be enjoyed by a wider audience.
A further twist to the story and memories of Bob Taylor is that Martin Scane, a fairly recent contributor to this site remembers Bob. In fact he knew him well and travelled the footplate with him as a lad of 10 or 11. It is likely that we may see pictures by Bob and Martin taken from the same train!
Martin Scane writes –
Thanks for posting the Westbury pictures of the late Bob Taylor. I knew him as a young lad (he was a fireman at Westbury). There were a group of us who went on several trips organised by Bob in the early 60s especially to Bournemouth, Eastleigh and Southampton. We made one trip to London and on to Peterborough (Deltic both ways from Kings Cross). Bob was very confident that as a railwayman we would be allowed entry to New England shed which was bristling with steam. We were very forcibly turned away-such a shame.
Bob arranged a very unofficial footplate trip for me (I must have been 10 I reckon) from Trowbridge to Westbury yard on 2200(Collett 0-6-0). I remember having to crouch down as we passed slowly through Westbury station in case an inspector saw me!
Martin Scane Many thanks to you Martin
Bob was obviously a very pleasant gentleman – we hope to show more of his pictures in his memory.
Westbury (Wilts) 47511 arrives on 1X00 0830 Salisbury-Wolverton Empty Royal Train, Saturday 3rd December 1977. Photo Bob Taylor (Guy Vincent Collection)
Corfe Castle
Geoffery Matthews
Geoffery Matthews
A remarkable view looking into the throat of Corfe Castle station showing the sidings which includes a van, and that remarkable background of the Castle. Taken on the 22nd March 1966. Copyright Geoff Matthews
This is the first of additional views of the Swanage Branch kindly sent in by Alan Matthews. Many thanks Alan - these have already been added to the Swanage section.
Pentewan Railway ?
Alan Harris
Alan Harris
Here is a postcard that I recently purchased which may interest those viewing the website. On the front, the legend says "The Moors, St. Austell". It was posted and the frank says it was posted at St. Austell on Apr. 13 1904. I am assuming it is part of the Pentewan Railway but wondered if any of your readers could identify the location more accurately' The postcard was published as part of the "A. Hicks' Series" It was posted to Miss A. Wellington, 42 to 70 King Street, Hammersmith, London - quite an address!
Many thanks Alan, Can anybody help please.
Many thanks Alan, Can anybody help please.
The Pentewan Railway? From the Alan Harris Collection - many thanks Alan.
Cogload
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius