Today, 3rd August 2018, marks 50 years since the last steam locomotive worked as a banker up the Copy Pit incline between Burnley, Lancashire, and Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

The locomotive to do this final working was BR 8F No.48278, on its final working, the boiler smoke box door read “Last Steam Banker-Copy Pit,3rd Aug. 1968”. Sadly, the locomotive was later scrapped in January 1969.

After the last working, diesel locomotives took over from steam locomotives on the incline.

2018 is a very special year for steam enthusiasts, firstly, Britains newest mainline steam locomotive, 60163 Tornado celebrated its 10 birthday in July 2018. Secondly, it is also 50 years since the end of BR steam, in which a lot of events are planned to celebrate the ‘1T57’ special railtour.

One of which starts this weekend, with the Great Central Railway’s End of BR Steam Gala. More information on that is available here.

Little did we know when No.48278 working its last banking that we would be sat here with all of the preserved railways operating around the country. It is brilliant to see.

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Photo credit: Mark Walker – can be seen in full size by clicking here