Prototype A Day out around Manchester

Rob R

Western Thunderer
A few random views from around Manchester. Dates and descriptions as per the back of the original print.

As before copyright assumed with me. If anyone wishes to repost/publish shout up and I'll try to sort a better scan.

Comments etc welcome.

Heaton Mersey 01.jpg
Undated view of Ex GCR D6 5855 at Heaton Mersey

Heaton Mersey 02.jpg
5855 again

Mcr Exchange 01.jpg
Manchester Exchange from the end of No. 1 platform 4th April 1936

Mcr Exchange 02.jpg
Manchester Exchange again. Not dated but possibly the same as above.
The crew of Ex LNWR 4-6-2T 6982 seem to be getting a bit damp.

Patricroft 01.jpg
Super D 8907 at Patricroft. 4th April 1936

Newton Heath 01.jpg
Jubilee 5701 "Conqueror" at Newton Heath 23rd May 1936

Newton Heath 02.jpg
Ex L&Y 4-6-0 10432 at Newton Heath April 1939


Next time we are at Gorton but it won't be anytime soon as I'm off to the States with work for a bit.

Cheers

Rob
 

Michael Osborne

Western Thunderer
I live about a quarter of a mile from the site of the engine shed at Heaton Mersey. I spent a great deal of my youth at this and the other Stockport shed as well as traveling to all the other locations shown. I was able to sit in 8f''s stunting dead loco's about the yard towards the end of steam. What would health and safety say now.
 

Overseer

Western Thunderer
A really nice set of photos. The low level shots provide lots of useful track detail. The prints look like they are from half frame 120 film so the film would be wound vertically instead of horizontally. Probably a box camera maybe with a top viewfinder (not so likely on a box camera) or the photographer was small, probably young. The rail head shot is interesting, an unusual view point. Pity about chopping the bottom of the wheels off but it provides a detailed view of the siding which looks like it is laid with double headed rail rather than bullhead. We need more variety in rail shapes and sizes in our models.
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
he prints look like they are from half frame 120 film so the film would be wound vertically instead of horizontally

Could either be what was known as 8 on 120 or 16 on 120. 8 on 120 would give a larger frame where the film was wound horizontally and, as you've alluded to, 16 on 120 would require the camera to be vertical to achieve a panoramic shot.

It could also be 620 or 127 film.


Probably a box camera maybe with a top viewfinder (not so likely on a box camera) or the photographer was small, probably young.

I would suspect the camera was rested on the rail head and a delayed shutter release used - which was available on the more expensive cameras at the time (or a cable release).
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
As a user of box cameras until my mid to late teens I reckon these are just too sharp. Box cameras tend to have "fixed focus" lenses which mean a compromise between close and distant shots. Most lenses were set to prefer close subjects, as the cameras were usually used for family photos. For examples look at some of my early photos, although it has to be said that, if the light was good some excellent results could be obtained.

I wonder whether these could have been taken on a bellows camera - sort of the next step up from a box camera. One of the most famous and successful was the Kodak Vest Pocket Camera. It's also possible that these are on 116 or 616 film - a wonderful large format roll film (2 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch negs) which finally ceased production in the 1980s, although I don't think many cameras had been made since the second world war. I used one once - a big bellows affair - but the pictures were quite wonderful.

Apologies for hijacking your thread, Rob, but these images are fantastic.

Brian
 

Rob R

Western Thunderer
Hijack away Brian.
All contributions are welcome.
The prints are 4 7/16 x 2 11/16" with a nominal 1/8" border so I suspect that they are not from large format negs/plates.
My dodgy scanner doesn't help either.

I should be more clued up on B+W formats having spent 26 years working in the industry at Ilfords but most of that seems to have leaked from the grey matter.........

Rob
 

Wagonman

Western Thunderer
Just to continue the hi-jack... box cameras were usually set for the 'hyperfocal' distance which, given they often had a fixed aperture of about f11 meant most of the scene would be 'sharp' – or as sharp as was possible with a single element meniscus lens. Marginally better than a pinhole.

Some of the medium format folding cameras of the period were fitted with a viewfinder that permitted low-level photography – you might find a few if you can be bothered to trawl the vintage cameras section of eBay.


Richard
 

unklian

Western Thunderer
My granddad used the one on the right, and I have put a few films through it with varying results. The remote view finder takes a bit of getting used to and a light meter is helpful for anything but the sunniest day. Casual and action shots forget it ! Although it uses still (?) readily available 120 roll film, getting it developed and printed is less easy and can be fairly expensive . Must have another go sometime and see if I can find any older results .

RIMG0470.JPG
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
Although it uses still (?) readily available 120 roll film, getting it developed and printed is less easy and can be fairly expensive .

120 film is readily available but you're correct about the developing and printing. I'm fortunate as where I live there is a photo processing laboratory where I can take film to be processed.
 

Wagonman

Western Thunderer
My granddad used the one on the right, and I have put a few films through it with varying results. The remote view finder takes a bit of getting used to and a light meter is helpful for anything but the sunniest day. Casual and action shots forget it ! Although it uses still (?) readily available 120 roll film, getting it developed and printed is less easy and can be fairly expensive . Must have another go sometime and see if I can find any older results .

View attachment 86353

Ah yes, the Kodak Vest Pocket camera if I'm not mistaken! If you make a habit of using B&W film it might be an idea to buy a processing tank and develop them yourself. The chemicals are still readily available, at least by mail order.
 

Chris P

Member
A few random views from around Manchester. Dates and descriptions as per the back of the original print.

As before copyright assumed with me. If anyone wishes to repost/publish shout up and I'll try to sort a better scan.

Comments etc welcome.

View attachment 86191
Undated view of Ex GCR D6 5855 at Heaton Mersey

View attachment 86192
5855 again

View attachment 86193
Manchester Exchange from the end of No. 1 platform 4th April 1936

View attachment 86194
Manchester Exchange again. Not dated but possibly the same as above.
The crew of Ex LNWR 4-6-2T 6982 seem to be getting a bit damp.

View attachment 86195
Super D 8907 at Patricroft. 4th April 1936

View attachment 86196
Jubilee 5701 "Conqueror" at Newton Heath 23rd May 1936

View attachment 86202
Ex L&Y 4-6-0 10432 at Newton Heath April 1939


Next time we are at Gorton but it won't be anytime soon as I'm off to the States with work for a bit.

Cheers

Rob
Great shots!!
Very useful, I am endeavouring to hack an origional 'Dreadnought' from the Millholme kit. The loco mods are OK, but I now know some of them ran with the tender as supplied in the kit!
The GW wagons in the background of the Patricroft shot are an interesting find also.
Chris.
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
Super photos. I look forward to seeing more especially if they are in the Manchester area.
 
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Rob R

Western Thunderer
Super photos. I look forward to seeing more especially if they are in the Manchester area.
Larry,

No more of the Manchester area I'm afraid, but when I pull my finger out there will be Liverpool, Chester and Crewe amongst others.

Rob
 
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