GWR 51xx class 2-6-2T No 5178 has been added to the front of Hall class 4-6-0 No 7905 Fowey Hall for the climb over the South Devon banks at Newton Abbot with the 11.10am Swansea to Penzance express on June 18, 1959.

Peter Kerslake says "With part of the Works and Depot on its left Laira's 5175 has been added as pilot engine here at Newton Abbot to assist the "Hall" all the way down to Plymouh over Dainton and Rattery banks.
The use as a pilot of 2-6-2 heavy tank engines such as 5175 was frowned upon by those in authority, but if one of the customary Newton Abbot "Manors" was not available then it would be a matter for the Running Foreman at Newton Abbot to use what was available.
The general rule dating back to the days of the G.W.R. was that with a tank engine as pilot the customary "Express Passenger" head lamp configuration was to be used for workings in excess of twelve miles, as seen here, but for shorter "double headed" workings with a tank engine at the head then a single "local stopper" lamp atop the smokebox door was the order of the day."

Photo: K.L. Cook/Rail Archive Stephenson