This beautifully lit 1958 evening scene captures a Swansea (via Cardiff) to Manchester London Road express about to cross Stockport's magnificent River Mersey viaduct. In charge is No. 44747, one of the twenty (somewhat ungainly) 'Black 5' 4-6-0s fitted with Caprotti valve gear. It was built at Crewe in July 1948 and was withdrawn in May 1963.

© Raymond McCarthy-Eddie Johnson Archive