Building the last Main Line Railway

Rugby to Barby: gcrcs1b

Close up of image 'gcrcs1' showing the driver of the steam navvy, its machinery and vertical boiler which operated the steam shovel. The vertical boiler is lagged with timber which would have helped to insulate the boiler but also provide the crew with a minimal level of protection. The man on the right is in fact the stoker and to his right can be seen the coal and shovel as well as a piece of metal sheeting fixed upright and bent at 90 degrees. This is thought to have been used by the stoker as a back stop to assist in loading his shovel. The head wear ofthe person on the right in the foreground might well be an indicator as to his ranking. The bowler hat was often worn during the 19th century by members of staff in authority.

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