With her bottom scraped, Foudroyant has years ahead

Iam not sure how old this photograph is but as can just about be seen, it is the Foudroyant on the stocks in dry dock in Portsmouth dockyard.

By The Newsroom

Published 10th Oct 2016, 16:24 BST

Updated 25th Oct 2016, 15:17 BST

Her hull has been scraped and polished for more years’ service.

She was launched in 1817 and while anchored in Portsmouth Harbour she was the oldest ship afloat.

She is now in Hartlepool, beautifully restored as a museum ship and looking like she was only recently commissioned. She now goes by her proper name HMS Trincomalee.

Passing Cosham signal box in 1950 we see a West Country/Battle of Britain class locomotive at the head of a train from the west.

Is there anyone still about who worked on her and can date this photograph?

In the picture at the foot of the page we see a train passing Cosham signal box. The engine is a light Pacific and is pulling a train from the west country.

It is either a West Country or Battle of Britain class, but it’s impossible to make out the number to confirm. The railway cottages to the left of the signal box have been demolished, as has the box.