Decorated engine, Australia Day 1915
It's satisfying when a fine old photo is reunited with its story. These beautiful glass plate negatives came to us in a collection a decade ago and, although it was clear they depicted a steam locomotive decorated for Great War fundraising, little else could be deduced. Fireman W. Brimmell standing on the engine he and his wife decorated for "Australia Day" 1915. Then John Tipper, of the Blue Mountains, chanced on one of the photos in the September 2, 1915 issue of a rail and tramways union newspaper, The Co-operator. Clipping from The Co-operator (rail and…