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An era in the history of passenger-carrying on the canals came to an end at Cosgrove on April 7th, when the trip-boat 'Linda' departed from Cosgrove Wharf for the last time. 'Linda' had been based at Cosgrove for over 35 years, moving to the old sand and gravel wharf next to the lock from her previous base on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal in 1965 - the year after the legal closure of the Buckingham Arm! She had been carrying passengers since 1956, firstly at Foxton before the move to Wootton Wawen; and even then was 44 years old, being built by Fellows Morton and Clayton Ltd on Saltley Dock in 1912 At the end of the 2000 cruising season, she was finally retired after 88 years in continuous revenue-earning service, to be replaced by a modern all-steel boat 'Elizabeth of Glamis', named for the Queen Mother, which offers a far higher standard of passenger comfort and greater adaptability for different charters - and draught beer, and chilled lager, and real ale....'Linda' has been sold to Malcolm Burge, of 'Captain Cargo' and South Midland Water Transport fame. She may continue to carry passengers for another year or two, but will eventually be restored to her original working condition, complete with Bolinder engine. |