In the yard at Kings Cross in 1949, A1 pacific No 60122. Built at Doncaster by BR in December 1948, No 60122 was initially turned out in this early BR livery of LNER apple green with white lining and yellow lettering. When released from Doncaster following its first overhaul, on 5th May 1950 the locomotive (now painted in BR blue) remained nameless, but two months later on 1st July, “CURLEW” nameplates were applied.

In October 1952 the livery was again changed to the new standard BR brunswick green and just ten years later on 17th December 1962 she became one of the first six of the class to be withdrawn.
The rimmed stovepipe chimney fitted to all the A1s on building was later changed to a more stylish lipped variety, though the austere initial version gave an uncompromising look of brute power which many observers found attractive.
All the early A1s (those numbered up to 60131 inclusive) were originally fitted with Flaman speed recorders, the mechanism for which can be seen below the running plate on the fireman’s side. Note the large V-shaped bracket. The Flaman devices were soon removed in favour of the Stone’s speed recorder which became standard on all members of the class, though the redundant large bracket lingered on for several years in some instances. Shedded initially at Kings Cross, No 60122 was later employed from Gateshead, Copley Hill, Grantham and Doncaster.

David P Williams Archive / Rail-Online