Britannia Pacific No 70003 John Bunyan calls at Beattock with a Glasgow to Carlisle slow in c1964.

Peter Kerslake says "One of the early 'Britannias' to grace and transform express passenger services between Norwich and Liverpool Street from its arrival at London's Stratford depot in March of 1951 'John Bunyan' was moved to Norwich Depot in January of 1959 in the mass move of the Stratford 'Britannias' in order to concentrate the class to a single depot when staffing and maintenance problems were being experienced within the London area.
An ill conceived move to March depot in July of 1961 left 70003 and its companions out of use, not needed at what was a freight locomotive depot before the exiled 'Britannias' were all moved to the Midland Region, 70003 heading to Carlisle Kingmoor in December of 1963 from where it was finally condemned in March of 1967.
In this view 'John Bunyan' is in need of a Kingmoor cleaner's attention but has doubtless just been through Crewe Works following its unused spell at March, its smokebox door indicating a recent overhaul."


Photo: T.G. Hepburn/Rail Archive Stephenson