The Steam Railway Western Scotland

The Steam Railway Western Scotland

W A C ‘Bill’ Smith was a prolific photographer of steam locomotives, Clyde Steamers and trams. He travelled extensively throughout Scotland during the 1950s and 1960s recording the changes as the older pre-grouping steam classes disappeared to be replaced by the new Standard types and the even more modern diesel power. In so doing he also photographed much of the infrastructure dating back to the pre-group Scottish railways which was similarly being demolished or replaced at the time. His other claim to fame was as the organiser of many rail tours which covered Scotland in the same period. Bill’s images encompass much variety, from the graceful Great North of Scotland 4-4-0s usually in beautifully clean condition to the work stained North British 0-6-0s many of which, with long working lives, ended their days carrying out the same duties they were originally designed for - hauling trains of coal around Fife. Former Caledonian Railway locomotives are also seen with the ubiquitous 0-4-4 tanks on branch lines and many 0-6-0s moving goods traffic. The workhorses of passenger traffic, LNER B1s, V2s and LMS Black 5s as well as examples of express power are also portrayed.