Heading in towards the 'Big Hole"
Submitted by Philip M. Hicks on 27th May 2011
Taken on 10 June 1959
Hello - I'm beginning to run out of my standard guage photos. So we are getting down to what I would have called 'failures' fifty years ago! Today they do have interest, here an unknown 'Grange' heads an express towards the Severn Tunnel. The train is about to pass under Alberton Lane in a short tunnel about half a mile from the Gloucester portal of the 'Big Hole'! Regards from Phil H. Leura. Oz.
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Phil, I wouldn't call this a failed photo at all. As far as composition goes, it is one of the best you have submitted. Three quarter view, loco in the golden area, full train well framed and enough space around it so it doesn't feel crampt, exhaust, but not too much, telegraph poles and tunnel mouth in the background. The light looks quite poor, but that's what photos from the fifties were like. The light on the front two carriages helps lift it just enough.
Hello - I have been bothered by this photo ever since I posted it in May last year.
I stated:- "here an unknown 'Grange' heads an express towards the Severn Tunnel. The train is about to pass under Alberton Lane in a short tunnel about half a mile from the Gloucester portal of the 'Big Hole'!"
Well I could never quite reconcile the trackage with my description and I didn't have any notes to go with the photo. I now have come to realise that the train is in fact climbing OUT of the Severn Tunnel! The Grange is about to go under the B4055 road bridge just to the east of the village of Cross Hands. The short tunnel under Alberton Lane is in the background.
The act of taking this photo looking into a cutting is deceiving one into thinking the train is going downhill. I'm glad in my mind that I can put that niggle to rest now. Regards from Phil H. Leura. Oz.
PS. I should amend my title as well to 'Heading out of the Big hole' Phil H.