Machin Mania

It is no secret here on Machin Mania that I have been a avid fan of steam locomotives (and railways). I have been since I was a little kid, or possibly even before this, as an itch in my dads jock strap :-) Anyway, long before my interest in Machins (but not stamp collecting).

This is why occasionally I divert from the Machin and write about other GB stamp issues.
I was pleased to hear that in 2010 -2011 Royal Mail will issue several stamps and Miniature sheets with a Railways theme.

They start this program on 19 August 2010 with 6 stamps entitled Great British Railways. These show locos from five companies that were collected together and formed into British Rail in 1948.

For those of you who are enthusiasts, my Ian Allan train spotting book actually had two of these locos underlined. This indicates I actually collected the numbers by having sight of the engines in question.

The first stamp is "Coronation"

Of the London Midland and Scottish Railway, as a boy I remember seeing this engine at Derby open day sometime in the 50s without the streamlining. "Derby OPEN day" was a great day out the equivalent to stampex for train enthusiasts of the day. it brings back many happy memories

Below is a sister engine, the Preserved LMS Coronation class 4-6-2 number 6229 "Duchess of Hamilton" (on show at the NRM (National Railway Museum) in York (re streamlined condition) Photograph Edward Talbot.


"Evening Star"

The last engine built, is depicted on the second stamp (above top), is now displayed at National Railway Museum. The name was thought to be a fitting end to steam, and was chosen from hundreds of names entered in a competition. A special commemorative plate was affixed below the nameplate on the smoke deflectors. The commemorative plate reads:


No. 92220 built at Swindon March 1960
The last steam locomotive for British Railways Named at Swindon on March 18 1960 by K.W.C. Grand, Esq.
Member of the British Transport Commission

above : Evening Star No. 92220 - GWR Museum, UK - photo by Adrian Brodie

As this is supposed to a Machin site, and I know from the past that Steam Railways are not every one's cup of tea, I will make this post short, however if you wish to read more details of the issue mentioned above go over to Norvic Philatelic Blog where Ian gives tons more information on this subject.

Back to Machins in my next post.