Steam trains at UK rail making plant, Workington 2002

This is a video of preserved steam locomotives pulling freight trains at a photographic charter at a former rail making plant in Cumbria, England. This was probably one of the most successful industrial charters ever, helped by brilliant weather over the three days.

Production of steel rails at Moss Bay commenced in 1877. The plant used the Bessemer conversion method to produce steel quickly, a method developed by Sir Henry Bessemer in 1856 following close working links with a Workington iron company. The Bessemer Converter revolutionised steel production. The Moss Bay plant at Workington stayed at the forefront of steel rail production up until the transfer of its facilities to Scunthorpe, introducing alloy steel, austenitic manganese steel and heat-treated rails during its long and proud history.

On 14th September 2002, Corus celebrated 125 years of rail making in Workington. Most of the previous week was a corporate celebration involving customers, suppliers and company staff invited to view displays, presentations, mill tours, and an exhibition. A large marquee hosted the main exhibition with displays from Corus, their business partners, service providers and an archive of old photographs and memorabilia. The mill was working late on Tuesday and Thursday and tours were given at these times to invited guests.

On Friday 13 September the site was handed over to steam charter photographic event. Enthusiasts saw visiting steam locomotives haul trains throughout the site and in to the port of Workington.

On Saturday 14th September, the site was open to the public for a steam, diesel & bus rally. This included:

Three steam locomotives: Ex Midland Railway half-cab 0-6-0T (formerly used at Staveley Iron & Steel Works) :41708, a Peckett 0-4-0ST No 2084 " F.C. Tingey" and a Bagnall 0-4-0ST "Hawarden".

The operating debut of Haig Colliery Mining museum's Hunslet 0-4-0 diesel shunting locomotive (formerly in use at RNAD Broughton Moor).

Visiting main line diesel locomotives from EWS & DRS Railway companies. Diesel locomotive classes 20, 37, & 66.

A celebration of 30 years since the production of Leyland National buses at nearby Lillyhall.

Lifeboat open day

Lifting equipment, steam road lorry, narrow gauge locomotive and fairground organ displays.

A bus and commercial vehicle rally,including some from the Glasgow Bus Museum.

A free bus service linking car parks, the town bus station and the lifeboat station using a mixture of preserved classic buses and examples of the most modern bus types currently in service.

This video features part of the steam charter. Later videos will cover the remainder of the celebration.

Sady the works closed and was demolished when rail production was transferred to Scunthorpe. As in the USA and Europe, older industrial areas have been reduced to wasteland.