The design of these ex-LMS '2P' 0-4-4 Tanks, of which just ten were built, has been credited to William Stanier. This is only because they appeared immediately into his LMS tenure in 1932. In reality they were entirely a Midland Railway inspired design and are pure Derby in appearance! The only input that might be attributed to Stanier are his chimney design that replaced the unlovely stovepipe types with which they originally appeared. Somewhat shabby 41903 is pictured at Lancaster Green Ayre MPD (appropriately ex-MR) in April 1953.

© Ken Widd. Steve Armitage Collection