This good side on view shows the powerful lines of Churchward's mixed traffic 47XX design to full advantage , and one can see why these engines were from time to time used on express passenger duties from Paddington , particularly on Summer Saturdays in the ' fifties , when Motive Power at Old Oak could often be at a premium. 4704 , an Old Oak engine , is far from home here at Birkenhead , but the " Night Owls " , as they were known were used regularly throughout the Western Region on fast fitted freights running from London , particularly during the hours of darkness. They looked even better in their late years , resplendent in lined green livery.
I was incorrect in saying that 4704 was " far from home " here at Birkenhead in 1951 as she was , in fact , for some strange reason the sole member of her class allocated to that Depot at that time before moving to Old Oak Common during the same month and year of this view but my 1956 shedbook shows Birkenhead as being a Midland Region Depot numbered as " 6 C " which confuses me even more !
What is certain , however , is that this view shows to advantage the bulk of this design with its large " Number 7 " boiler and the 4000 gallon tender with which the nine members of the class were fitted in the early ' thirties.
The early style of Great Western Railway cab , with its " Saint " design of window , is evident , providing scant protection for the footplate men particularly if they were , as was so often the case , working fast overnight fitted freights , duties for which they were designed .
Capable of working express passenger duties , a " 4700 " , later resplendent in lined green livery , would make a fine sight on Summer Saturdays heading away from Paddington down to Kingswear or Plymouth , the " Royal Duchy " being a regular such turn for the class in their last years of service.