1987

SE0335 : Bellerophon at Oxenhope

taken 37 years ago, near to Oxenhope, Bradford, England

Bellerophon at Oxenhope
Bellerophon at Oxenhope
Bellerophon was one of six almost identical locomotives built for the Haydock Collieries between 1868 and 1887, Bellerophon herself being completed in 1874. Being the only survivor of the class, she is unique, not only for having Stephenson/Gooch valve gear but because she is the last of the only six engines ever built at the Haydock Foundry.

Bellerophon and the others (named Makerfield, Parr, Golborne, Hercules and Amazon) worked faithfully for many years. Amazon was the first to go, in 1935, with the others being taken into ownership by the National Coal Board upon nationalisation. By 1964 Bellerophon was the only survivor and in that year was sent for scrapping. At the last minute she was rescued and arrived on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and stored at Oxenhope SE0337 : Bellerophon, at Haworth loco shed. In 1981 she was purchased by Vintage Carriages Trust from the KWVR for £1 and restoration work commenced. It took four years to complete. LinkExternal link
Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

The KWVR is a branch line off the former Midland Main Line at Keighley in West Yorkshire, terminating at Oxenhope near the head of the Worth Valley. The line opened in 1867, but along with many other branch lines closed in 1962. It was re-started by a preservation society in 1968, one of the first such ventures, and has been a tourist attraction ever since, helped by serving the "Bronte town" of Haworth.

Enough has been written elsewhere (including the Wikipedia entry LinkExternal link and the railway's official website LinkExternal link ) for there to be no need for further elaboration here.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Gerald England and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Railways Date: 1874 1964 1981 other tags: Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Railway Station Preserved Locomotives Steam Locomotive Vintage Carriages Trust Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Class 4 Locomotive [20] · Carriages [8] Other Photos: · Bellerophon, at Haworth loco shed ·
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SE0335, 251 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Gerald England   (more nearby)
Date Taken
April 1987   (more nearby)
Submitted
Friday, 15 May, 2020
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SE 0325 3543 [10m precision]
WGS84: 53:48.9086N 1:57.1273W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SE 0328 3543
View Direction
WEST (about 270 degrees)
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Image Type (about): close look 
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