70004 1951 Eastleigh
Britannia 4-6-2 No 70004 William Shakespeare at Eastleigh shed just after being exhibited at the Festival of Britain on the South Bank in 1951.
Peter Kerslake says "In pristine condition 70004 spent just three months from being newly outshopped from Crewe Works in March 1951 allocated at the Eastern Region's Stratford depot before finding its Southern Region home at Stewarts Lane in September of that year where it remained until June 1958.
Renowned for its regular appearances for seven years or so on the Southern Region's Boat Trains including the "Golden Arrow" 70004 eventually went to the Midland Region in June1958, its glory days on the Southern Region over.
Initially allocated to London's Kentish Town on the London Midland Region William Shakesspeare later saw service from no less than seven other LMR depots, ranging from Carlisle's Canal and Kingmoor in the north to Stockport, Trafford Park and Willesden before it was finally condemned from Kingmoor in December 1967."
Photo: J.D. Mills/Rail Archive Stephenson