Description

The birth of the hydraulics was a direct result of the extent to which the former BR regions existed as separate companies even under the overall banner of nationalisation. The firm belief in hydraulic as opposed to electric transmission by the Western Region management gave birth to Warships, Westerns Hymeks and the class 14 O-6-O. These types continued the GWR tradition of distinctive and nonstandard power for some years after the end of steam, before the corporate railway of the late 70s swept them off the mainline. Fortunately some survive – enjoy them in this programme.