685 stands in the rain at New Brighton awaiting its peak hour service job.

685 stands in the rain at New Brighton awaiting its peak hour service job.

Drivers not to pass beyond this point unless signal off, 1981, New Brighton

Drivers not to pass beyond this point unless signal off, 1981, New Brighton

My guard’s satchel, hanging from the brake handle as the railway refused to provide a hook for it.

My guard’s satchel, hanging from the brake handle as the railway refused to provide a hook for it.

A steel-tipped LMS wooden scraper paddle from a 503. It was used for clearing impacted ice and snow from the top of the live rail by the guard, who walked in front of his train with it following at 3mph.

A steel-tipped LMS wooden scraper paddle from a 503. It was used for clearing impacted ice and snow from the top of the live rail by the guard, who walked in front of his train with it following at 3mph.

25058 at Birkenhead North in 1979 thrills the local trainspotters.

25058 at Birkenhead North in 1979 thrills the local trainspotters.

Departmental wagons behind 25058 containing ballast make for an unusual sight at Birkenhead North in 1979.

Departmental wagons behind 25058 containing ballast make for an unusual sight at Birkenhead North in 1979.

25058 pulling an engineering train one Sunday into Birkenhead North.
25058 was cut up at the end of 1988.

25058 pulling an engineering train one Sunday into Birkenhead North.

25058 was cut up at the end of 1988.

Liverpool train leaving Birkenhead North from the loop platform - a Wrexham DMU is in the usual Liverpool platform.

Liverpool train leaving Birkenhead North from the loop platform - a Wrexham DMU is in the usual Liverpool platform.

Ornate Wirral Railway gate at West Kirby station, long since removed and presumed lost.

Ornate Wirral Railway gate at West Kirby station, long since removed and presumed lost.

The cushioned seat is missing from the guard’s perch in this unit. The short-circuiting bar and wooden applicator are to hand.

The cushioned seat is missing from the guard’s perch in this unit. The short-circuiting bar and wooden applicator are to hand.