Parsonage Wood

This board is located by a model of the Metropolitan No.1 steam locomotive at Oakfield Corner. It has the following wording: Welcome to our replica of the Metropolitan No.1 steam locomotive. Top left Photo: Metropolitan Locomotive No.1 (c) Peter Boor Collection This locomotive was a mainstay of the Metropolitan Railway to Aylesbury for twenty years. It needed a crew of two to operate it: the driver, who was in control of the steam, and the fireman who shovelled coal into the firebox to generate the steam. Our model is half the size of the original locomotive. It was called an E class locomotive and was designed by the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Metropolitan Railway, Mr T. F. Clark. Built in 1898, it was the last engine to be built at the Neasden works. Originally numbered 79, it was numbered No.1 as a replacement for the original A class locomotive No.1 that was scrapped after an accident. Earlier locomotives were predominantly olive green. In 1885, the colour was changed to a deep red and this remained the standard colour until the Metropolitan Railway became part of London Transport in 1933. Photo: Offside view of 0-4-4 Metropolitan E-class locomotive No.1 (c) Tfl from the London Transport Museum Collection. A similar colour is still used on the Metropolitan line today and on the iconic Tube map. On 30 June 1904, decorated with flags, bunting and flowers, Met No.1 headed the first passenger train from Baker Street at the ceremonial opening of the new Uxbridge branch of the Metropolitan Railway. The service opened to the public on 4 July. From 1 November 1906 trains were electrically worked from Baker Street to Wembley Park where steam took over. From 19 July 1908 the changeover took place at Harrow-on-the-Hill. Some trains worked right through to Verney Junction. Metropolitan No.1 (renumbered L44 by this time) was given the honour of working the last steam-hauled train on the Metropolitan line on 9 September 1961. The locomotive was saved from being broken up for scrap by the endeavours of Jim Stringer, a 19-year-old London Transport Mechanical Engineering Apprentice who started the Met Tank Appeal Fund in 1962. In 1965, it was bought by the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre in Quainton and is the only survivor of the seven E class engines. Lower left Coal is burned in the firebox to boil water and create steam. The coal is stored in a bunker behind the cab, with water held in two long rectangular tanks situated on both sides of the locomotive. The firebox is at the front end of the cab. There are many tubes linking the firebox to the smokebox which is located at the front of the engine. The tubes pass through the boiler, which is full of water. Hot air and smoke are drawn through the tubes which heats the water to create steam. This steam is piped from the large brass dome in the centre of the boiler to the cylinders that are housed between the front driving wheels. The steam pushes the pistons backwards and forwards in the cylinders. This power turns a crank which drives the wheels. The smoke box has a door on the front that allows ash to be cleaned out to ensure that the hot air keeps flowing. Some of the exhaust steam from the cylinders is blown up the funnel which helps to draw more hot air through the boiler. Our sincere thanks to the brilliant leaders of the 1st Chesham Bois Scout Group for designing and creating this exceptional replica steam train. Top right A total of seven E class locomotives were built between 1896 and 1901 for the Metropolitan Railway. Four were built by Hawthorn Leslie and Company in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with the other three being built by the Metropolitan Railway at their Neasden works. The E class is described as a 0-4-4 steam locomotive - no supporting wheels at the front, four driving wheels, and four smaller supporting wheels at the back. These engines were an improvement to the fleet of A class locomotives on the Metropolitan Railway. The E class locomotives were originally built with condensing apparatus to reduce the smoke and steam that was released into the tunnels. The first E class engine was scrapped in 1935: two more were lost before the rest were renumbered by London Transport. The Metropolitan No.1 became L44. Photo: Metropolitan Railway locomotive No.L44 at Neasden in January 1947 (c) Tfl from the London Transport Museum Collection Lower right We are lucky that Metropolitan No.1 was saved by some forward-thinking pioneers of preservation. Otherwise, this wonderful piece of transport history would have been lost. For several years, Metropolitan No.1 was maintained to the standard required of British Rail mainline running so that it could be used for special 'Steam on the Met' rail tours organised by London Underground. The engine appeared at Amersham in September 2013 as part of London Underground's 150th anniversary celebrations. Photo: Metropolitan No. 1 at Amersham Station on 9 September 2017 (c) Neil Fraser Foot of board from left to right Amersham Town Council, Flint Barn Court, Church Street, Amersham, HP7 0DB. Link 01494 434000

Seen from Amersham Hospital.

Seen from Amersham Hospital.

Koko's styles itself as a 'gourmet food trailer'. Tucked away behind Amersham cricket club, the simple pop-up café makes a welcome pitstop for passing walkers. Reflecting the proprietor's Bosnian origins, the signature lunchtime speciality is burek - a savoury pastry. At the time of writing, Koko's was open daily except Monday, subject to weather.

Far too many public footpaths around Amersham and Little Missenden are ploughed up by farmers, leaving walkers to find their own way through the crops. But there's no mistaking footpath 27, immaculately defined and properly waymarked.

Ex GWR 43XX 2-6-0 No. 7325 runs round its train in Amersham Station during the annual 'Steam on the Met' weekend in May 1996.

Located at 92 Sycamore Road HP6 5EW, this branch is due for closure on Tuesday 23rd August 2022. A Commercial Lettings Board and a Union Jack flag can be seen above this branch.

This bank branch at 92 Sycamore Road (B4441 road) is closing permanently on Tuesday 23rd August 2022, it being one of sixty nine such branches due for closure between July and October 2022.

This photo shows the closure notice in the front window of the bank branch at 92 Sycamore Road. It has the following wording: We're closing this branch soon From 2pm on Tuesday 23 August 2022 this branch will permanently close. The nearest HSBC UK branch will be: 181 High Street, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 3HQ Or you can access your remote banking services safely, securely and wherever you are: • With our mobile banking app • On our website at hsbc.co.uk • Over the phone by calling: Personal customers 03457 404 404 Business Customers 03457 60 60 60 Customers can also access some of our services at the Post Office. 1-2 Sycamore Place, Hill Avenue, Amersham, Buckinghamshire HP6 5BG Until then, if you have any questions or need assistance. please come in and chat to a member of the team.

Amersham's biggest superstore opened its doors on 20th February 1990. It was built on the site of the town's former bus garage.

This is near the Fire Station.

Second Wood at Shardeloes with the snow that had fallen two days previously.

On White Lion Road