A new book in the Railwayman’s View series

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A Railwayman's View - The Photographs of Peter Collins, Volume One - Western Region
A new Railwayman’s View book is now on sale.

Now available from www.ellybellypublications.co.uk is the latest book in the Railwayman’s View series of books. It is the first of four volumes of photographs taken by ex-railwayman Peter Collins. Peter’s experience in railway operations included time spent at Liverpool Street and Paddington, and this first book covers the Western Region. Taken mainly in the 1970s and 1980s, this collection of over 150 images covers a wide area, from London to Penzance, Wales and most places in-between. Peter’s eye for a photograph means we are treated to something a little different from the normal “record” shot, with the British Rail run-down in the 1970s shown in all its gory detail.

The eBook is available to buy now at our website. The book costs £20.00 and is available in ePub 3.0 and PDF format (on request). All purchasers of the eBook will receive a voucher for £15.00 redeemable against the printed version when it is available.

All photos in the book are available to buy separately, either directly from the book or via the website.

Railway Modellers will find inspiration from the varied photographs, whether they show typical formations of passenger and freight trains, or details of stations and locomotive depots in the 1970s. All the photographs are of a high resolution, so zooming in to reveal details is easy. As BR ran down the Diesel Hydraulic fleet of Westerns and Hymeks they were allowed to take on a film of grime that at times beggars belief!

If you recognise yourself on any of the photographs then contact us at enquires@ellybellypublications.co.uk and we will send you a print of the photograph!

This is the first of four volumes covering the major regions of British Rail. Volume Two will feature the Midland Region, with the Eastern and Southern Regions following on.

New Collection of photos available

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A 1959/60 view of Doncaster shed sees B1 61215 'William Heaton Carver' of Hull Dairycoats shed (53A), K3 61800 of Doncaster shed (36A) and V2 60909 of Grantham shed (34F) all waiting their next duties. One of the images from the new BR Steam Collection.
A 1960 view of Doncaster shed sees B1 61215 ‘William Heaton Carver’ of Hull Dairycoats shed (53A),
K3 61800 of Doncaster shed (36A) and V2 60909 of Grantham shed (34F) all waiting their next duties.

BR Steam – a New Collection

After a break (for many reasons) we are back. We are adding new photographs to purchase from our extensive collection, starting with a new Collection of BR Steam.

All photographs are scanned and enhanced from negatives to ensure the best quality at an image size that suits you. The way you can buy images is also changing. We will be detailing that in a forthcoming post describing our product offerings.

We are constantly searching for new images to bring to our customers. It’s not possible to pay the ridiculous prices for some original and quality images, but we do try to offer variety and to provide detailed information on the photographs.

The photograph seen above is a case in point. The three locomotives are sat outside Doncaster shed. No place or date was stated in the sale, but a bit of detective work pays off. Using shed allocations for all three engines we can narrow down the date to between June 1959 and June 1960. Thompson B1 61215 was allocated to Hull Dairycoats shed on 14th June 1959. Gresley K3 61800 was all allocated to Doncaster on 7th February 1959, but as no smokebox shed plate is visible, this does not help us.
However, Gresley V2 60909 was allocated to Grantham shed between 12th June 1960 and 9th October 1960, giving us the year the picture was taken.

It is often the detective work necessary to provide a detailed caption for photographs that bring them to life! Whilst some photographs are simply records from a day out, others have been planned to record history.

This photograph records a normal working day 62 years ago…

Glamour is here…

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A new adventure for ellyBelly has begun - Glamour has come to ellyBelly Publications. Our first venture away from trains and planes has now gone live on our website, with more to follow in the future. Of course we couldn't stray far from transport and industry just yet.

A new adventure for ellyBelly has begun – Glamour has come to ellyBelly Publications. Our first venture away from trains and planes has now gone live on our website, with more to follow in the future. Of course we couldn’t stray far from transport and industry just yet.

From Glorious Goodwood to a London Bus Depot, we’ve tried to keep to environments that appeal to our existing customers. We hope to add to our Glamour collections in the future, and all done in the best possible taste.

We are looking to offer these photographs as wall products too through our printing partner Loxley Colour. Prints will be delivered ready to hang up on your wall straight from the box!

Recreating times gone by provides a rich environment for the photographer, both from a heritage viewpoint and also for portrait photography. With this in mind, we will also be bringing what we call Vintage Photographs to ellyBelly Publications in the coming months.

Don’t worry, we will also be adding to our Railway and Aviation collections, bringing you the best images we can. Watch out for future news updates in this blog.

Glamour by ellyBelly

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ellyBelly Publications brings Glamour photography to its collections
Glamour by ellyBelly

Glamour photography will be coming soon to ellyBelly Publications. We are always looking to offer our customers something a little bit different! As part of our transition to ellyBelly Publications we will bring Glamour photography with the backdrop of aviation, railways or industry. Be assured that images will be ‘tasteful’….

The images will sit alongside our new Vintage Collections (see an upcoming post), which will resurrect bygone times in many areas of life, not just our usual transport settings. Our first collections will be chosen from the portfolio of John Stiles.

Why Glamour?

Historically we have always presented photographs of things, not people, yet human interest can often add something to an image which lifts it above the ordinary. The juxtaposition created by capturing Glamour within an industrial background is often used to reveal a hidden underground of rebellion or joy of life. And, of course, sex!

During World War 2, USAAF air crews often adorned the noses of their aircraft with pictures of naked girls. They were seen in a variety of suggestive poses along with suggestive phrases. In that instance, the glamourous woman they probably touched before they climbed aboard the aircraft was a memory that, even for a fleeting moment, took their thoughts to a warm place. Better that, then think for too long about the horror that awaited them in the skies above Germany.

Of course, bygone times were often regarded as ‘glamourous’. The 1960s revolutionised what people wore on a daily basis. Where previously glamour was often hidden away, the 1960s stripped away austerity and shyness. In 2021, people seem to have no inhibitions. Anything goes and not much is left to the imagination. So, we now live in an era where glamour is hidden away again! Subsequently, Glamour has been replaced by the brutality of the bare truth.

ellyBelly says, bring back Glamour!







ellyBelly Publications

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ellyBelly Publications has replaced Lineside Photographics

ellyBelly Publications is replacing Lineside Photographics…. It has been obvious for some time that the Lineside Photographics doesn’t really encompass what we want to do. So, in 2021, we have changed our name to ellyBelly Publications. Moreover, with the change comes some exciting news for the future.

In November 2020 we launched our first book (‘A Railwayman’s View – The Photographs of Ronnie Gee’ by Eddie Johnson & Ian Simpson). This is the first of what will be a series of books showing the photographic collections of ex-Railwaymen. They were often best placed to know when that special working would be running, or had access to places not available to the general public. The second book is in the final stages of editing, so look out for some news on this soon!

I have known John Stiles for many, many years. His photos often appear in the railway press for his steam photography. John rekindled his love of aviation and all things vintage, and he has a vast collection of images we hope to bring to you in the future. A small collection of his photos are available through the website.

John also has a love of portrait photography. So, we will also bring some Glamour to our collections, as well as some vintage recreations.

However, our love for railway photography remains, so we will be adding to our collections throughout the year.

In addition, don’t forget our Scan & Restore service. Many of the older negatives we have in our collections require restoration. When photographs were taken seventy years ago, they need some tender love and care to bring them back to their best. Contact us if you have any queries on our service, or have specific requirements.

Please don’t forget that we are always on the look out for photographers. We can sell your images or help you publish that book! Please contact us at ellybellypublications@outlook.com for details.

Ronnie Gee Book now Available

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A Railwayman’s View – The Photographs of Ronnie Gee
by E.M. Johnson & I.Simpson

The rear cover of the new Ronnie Gee book shows experimental AL3 loco E3100 working through Burnage station on 1967.

We have now launched our first book, A Railwayman’s View – The Photographs of Ronnie Gee. The book has 96 pages of Colour and Black & White images taken by Ronnie during his time on the railway in the South Manchester area. Some profits will be donated to a leading UK Cancer Charity who looked after Ronnie towards the end of his life.

The book features steam and electric traction between Manchester London Road (now Piccadily), Stockport and Wilmslow stations. Ronnie had a knack of being in the right place at the right time. There are some real gems within the book. The distance between Crewe and Stockport/Manchester was just right for running-in turns from recently outcropped locomotives from Crewe Works. We featured one such photograph in a previous post.

The photographs are of a high quality, and have been restored to their full glory, despite being nearly 70 years old in some cases. It is hoped that this will be the first volume of Ronnie’s photographs. His collection totals 2,500 images, some from the 1940s, and some that were taken in his last days as Station Master of Stockport Station.

Pricing and Ordering

The book can be ordered through our website for £15.95 plus £4.00 Posting & Packing. We will ship to most parts of the world (already to Australia), so if you don’t see an option for you then please contact us at ellybellypublications@outlook.com. Payment is through PayPal. If you don’t have an account then there is an option to pay by Credit or Debit Card too.

This book has been a long time in the making. Both Eddie and I are very pleased with the production of the book and feel we have done Ronnie proud…

A Railwayman’s View – Photos from Ronnie Gee

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A Railwayman's View - The Photographs of Ronnie Gee by EM Johnson and Ian Simpson. Cover photograph of Rebuilt Scot 46137.
Rebuilt Scot 46137 ‘The Prince of Wales Volunteers (South Lancashire) storms past Longsight Carriage Sheds on April 30th 1959 with an express for London. Copyright EM Johnson.

This magnificent view of “Rebuilt Scot” No.46137 ‘The Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire)’ sees the engine “hard at it” as it storms past Longsight carriage sheds on April 30th 1959 at the head of the 12-coach 2.00 pm express to London Euston. The photograph forms the Front Cover of the first in a series of books titled “A Railwayman’s View”. This first book showcases a snippet of the fine images taken by Ronnie Gee, a railwayman for nearly 50 years in the Manchester area. His local knowledge and ear to the ground meant he captured some

A good head of steam and a hearty exhaust makes for a fine picture, though doubtless such emissions would be frowned upon by today’s environmentalists!  In its 41-year lifespan 46137 had spent three periods at Longsight (9A). The loco is into its last allocation to the Manchester shed; next year, on April 30th, it will be transferred across the city to 26A – Newton Heath. Looking closely at this scene and Longsight is changing: notice the LNWR semaphores – sturdy sentinels that stood here for so long, their place now taken by BR semaphores and they, too, will soon disappear. Just visible in the distance – an early DMU heads along towards London Road.

One cannot help but think that Ronnie “tipped the wink” to the engine crew to put on a special display for his benefit. Whatever else, this striking image of a steam locomotive hard at work with a lengthy train  – 12 carriages are strung out behind the tender – is one of Ronnie’s finest. Significantly, the year 1959 would see the beginning of the end of steam power over this route. On July 7th Ronnie was out with his camera at East Didsbury station, there to capture D217 en route to Longsight shed and the first of the Type 4s to arrive there. Thus would begin an interregnum that would see the arrival of electric traction from September the following year.

The Cover photo shown above is from the forthcoming book “A Railwayman’s View – The Photographs of Ronnie Gee” by Eddie Johnson and Ian Simpson. There are some fabulous photographs of the railway scene from Manchester London Road station (now Manchester Piccadilly) south to Wilmslow, via Stockport and the Styal lines.

The books will be available from our website, subscribe to this blog for news about this and other upcoming books.

Future Publications

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It’s been too long since we updated the website and the Blog, so I have taken time to give myself a kick up the backside and start things afresh. Please subscribe to the Blog (using the form on the right of the page) and follow us for more updates in the coming days and weeks. We have a number of publications in the pipeline, and will be adding many more photographs for sale.

I’m working hard on a number of future publications, and we’re using the enforced lockdown due to Coronavirus to get them in a state where they can be published as soon as normality returns. The first two are Railway publications, both feature photographs taken by railwaymen. Ronnie Gee was a signalman and then part of station staff in the Manchester and Stockport areas. Ronnie captured many images in the North West, but also travelled extensively around the UK on holiday with his camera. Some of his images have already been featured in this blog.

The second book features photographs taken by Peter Collins. Peter had various Operational jobs in London during the 1970s and 1980s, and his camera wasn’t too far from his side. Travelling extensively on the rail network using his Privilege Pass, he captured the BR Blue period at its most evocative (some might say ‘grotty’) in Black and White images. Most of his images were in London and the surrounding suburbs, and again we have featured one or two in this Blog. The first book will be based on the Western region, covering Paddington and lines to the South West and Wales.

Finally, I worked hard early on during Lockdown on getting a revamped newsletter out (in PDF) for the Rougham Tower Association, home of the 94th Bombardment Group during World War 2. We at the RTA have been working hard over the winter months to refurnish the Tower exhibitions, and update some of the information boards. The Tower finally reopened in July 2020, and the new exhibits have been received very well by our visitors.

West Durham Railtour

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Peppercorn K1 62059 (of 51A Darlington) makes its way tender-first through an unknown station on the SLS/MLS West Durham Railtour on 31st August 1958.

Peppercorn K1 62059 (of 51A Darlington) makes its way tender-first through an unknown station on the SLS/MLS West Durham Railtour on 31st August 1958.

The SLS/MLS West Durham Railtour

Peppercorn K1 62059 is seen tender first at an unknown location (for which I need help) somewhere in County Durham on 31st August 1958. The railtour was operated by the Stephenson and Manchester Locomotive Societies, starting from Manchester Exchange and hauled by rebuilt Scot 46143 ‘The South Staffordshire Regiment’. The photograph seen here was taken by Ronnie Gee, but there are no notes as to where it was taken. To aid anybody who can help the wonderful Six Bells Junction website throws some light on the route, from which somebody may identify the station and junction.

It lies somewhere along the following route:

Baxter Wood No.2 Jn – Dearness Valley Jn – Waterhouses – Waterhouses Goods, or

Scotswood – Scotswood Bridge Jn – Blaydon Main Jn – Consett Branch Jn – Dunston-on-Tyne – Low Fell Jn

If my reading of the route is incorrect and I have incorrectly calculated which part of the route was run tender-first it might possibly be along this route too:

Waterhouses Goods – Waterhouses – Dearness Valley Jn – Baxter Wood No.2 Jn – Baxter Wood No.1 Jn – Lanchester – Consett North Jn – Blackhill – Ebchester – Lintz Green – Swalwell North Jn – Blaydon South Jn – Scotswood Bridge Jn – Scotswood

I would be most grateful if anybody can help identify the location.

The railtour had brought a rebuilt Scot up the East Coast Main Line from York to Darlington Bank Top station, and by all accounts the journey both ways along the Plain of York proved to be a fast one with speeds of 82 mph being recorded each way. Whilst this may not be up to par with the regular ex-LNER pacific, the ex-LMS 7P proved it could handle an 11-coach, 330 ton train on the ECML. According to some who talked to the pilot on arrival back at York, the top speed would have been higher but the locomotive began to roll after Northallerton and it was deemed prudent not to push things further. This was a fault with the rebuilt Scots at the time; does anybody know if it was fixed?

If you can identify the location please comment below.

    A Butler Henderson Conundrum

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    Robinson O4 63704 and Great Central D11 506 'Butler Henderson' is seen being shunted outside Gorton works on 24th July 1963.

    Robinson O4 63704 and Great Central D11 506 ‘Butler Henderson’ is seen being shunted outside Gorton works on 24th July 1963.

    Butler Henderson and 63704 at Gorton works

    This photo is another to feature in the upcoming book celebrating the photographs of railwayman Ronnie Gee. After the successful identification of the location of brand new 92125 in our last post, we are after some more help with this photograph.

    The photograph (along with several others) shows an externally restored Great Central D11 No.506 ‘Butler Henderson’ being shunted from Gorton works along with ex-works Robinson O4 63704 as 24th July 1963. ‘Butler Henderson’ was moved to Romiley for a ‘photoshoot’ before being moved to the Clapham Transport Museum (the forerunner to the National Railway Museum at York). The ex-LNER engines have been moved from the works yard by the loco in the background. Judging by the lamp arrangement on 63704 it seems that O4 will take 506 to Romiley; but did it then take it forward for onward movement to London?

    According to Yeadon (via brdatabase.info), 64704 was at Gorton for Heavy Intermediate repair in August/September 1961 and a Light Casual repair in March 1962; neither of which are July 1963! Given also the fact that Gorton Works closed in March 1963 I am beginning to wonder when this shot was actually taken!

    I dont have access to a 1963 (or possibly 1961/1962) set of Railway Observer magazines so I am really looking for any information that can shed light on this movement. I can find nothing about the move of Butler Henderson to Clapham, so I have to go with the date being either late September 1961 or March 1962.

    If you can help in any way I would appreciate it, either via Social Media or through the Comment box below. Yet again Ronnie Gee had used his railway network and knowledge to be in the right place at the right time to record this moment!