A superb portrait of a NER designed Raven/Gresley 'B16/2' 61457 in the yard outside York North MPD. In 1937-9, Gresley rebuilt seven 'B16s' as class 'B16/2' these had Walschaerts valve gear on the outside cylinders, and his conjugated valve gear on the central cylinder. The front bogie was moved forward 9 inches and the frames lengthened. Also, the running plate was raised over the driving wheels. The result was an altogether more modern appearance. Some wag has chalked 'HOT' on the smokebox door - now there's a surprise! Tuesday 5th September 1961.

© Stephen Barrett Archive. Steve Armitage Collection