Off 9A

From new in June 1953 both 70043 and 70044 were fitted with a pair of massive and unsightly Westinghouse air pumps mounted on each side of their smokeboxes. The equipment was fitted to enable the pair to work a series of high speed trials on heavy mineral freight duties between Toton and Brent with plans to double-head the two Britannias when circumstances required and permitted, although all recorded images of 70043 and 70044 working these freights show them working singly.
These trials began in September 1953 with the two locomotives being strsngely shedded at Longsight and when not engaged on the freight trials they would often be seen heading a Manchester to Euston passenger working.