A somehow charming view of the inside of the almost empty GWR built shed at Aberdare. Similar to so many 'standard' GWR structures throughout the company there are so many details to be seen here. In the background is what we called a 'Taffy Tank' -would that be termed racist now I wonder?

The negative came dated 23 March 1963 (a Saturday) but the 'Large Prairie' was only allocated there officially from December 1963 for the last six months of its life until week ending 15th June 1964 so I wonder if the photo date is exactly a year out? However that would make it a Monday which is less likely. New to the London Division, based initially at Old Oak Common, in December 1932 No.6144 had been to Swindon Works for an overhaul and re-paint in plain green in March 1961 and came to Wales from Oxford shed via a month at Worcester and I wonder if it actually made it there and did any useful work? So many questions! There is pipework on the floor adjacent to the firebox perhaps part of the ejector, so it is under repair. The end came after sale to Birds, Morriston according to ‘What Happened to Steam’ and was seen en-route at Swansea East Dock on 10th October 1964 and observed intact in the yard on 7th November. However Irwell Press in their ‘Prairie Papers’ have it going to Bids Risca – yet more questions! The last recorded mileage being 752,150 on 28 December 1963.