
Standing with their locomotive at Hawkins Colliery sidings are the driver, fireman and 2 shunters. The chap nearest the camera was probably wearing what was once his 'good' suit.
The locomotive is Peckett 0-6-0 saddle tank P801/1900. The nameplate is simply "Hawkins"
Hawkins Colliery was at Cheslyn Hay in Staffordshire, part of it is under the M6 Toll Road now. The mine was owned by Edward Sayers 1855-1865, Joseph Hawkins 1869-1875 it was known as Cannock Old Coppice Colliery Co. The colliery remained under the control of the Hawkins family until it was nationalised in 1947, the colliery closed in 1960.
Peter Shoesmith 15/04/1960
Copyright Geoff Dowling & John Whitehouse; all rights reserved