Catalogue description The L E Copeland Collection of Railway Photographs

Mr Copeland's photographs were taken between 1930 and 1963, the collection also includes other photographs and postcard views, some dating from the late 19th century

The original reference numbers are given in square brackets at the end of the description

This collection, all in black and white, concerned chiefly with the area which came within the jurisdiction of the former Divisional Operating Superintendent, Great Western Railway, Gloucester

The first pictures were taken with a 3½ x 2½ Ensign Selfix 20 camera, which had its limitations. This was followed by a 35mm Kodak Retina I in 1946, with which so many photographs were taken that some remained unprinted for 40 years or more. Some picture are therefore now of poor quality and are only included for their possible historic interest

The Forest of Dean railways were covered in great depth and form Part I of the collection. A minimum description has been given as the subject is well documented in the books of Harry Parr and Paul Karau

Part II deals with other lines in the Gloucester Division and finishes with those other places (most of them on the Great Western Railway) which happened to attract attention.

Part III comprises two albums of photographs of locomotives, carriages and wagons

Copeland, L E, fl 1930-1988, of Churchdown, Gloucestershire

Mr Copeland has sold his negatives to Wild Swan Publications Ltd, Hopgoods Farm Cottage, Upper Bucklebury, Berkshire; all requests for reproductions should be directed to this firm

Photographs deposited by Mr L E Copeland, 16 June 1988 (Acc. 5749)

• Great Western Railway