The late Les Hanson was a very early exponent of colour photography as far back as 1936. It was a very expensive and difficult to process medium and very few people had the expertise or income to use it effectively. He took at least three different views at Bletchley in June 1938 and this marvellous portrait of ex-L&NWR Bowen Cooke 'Prince of Wales' 4-6-0 No. 25683 'Falaba' was one of them. 25683 was built at Crewe in Apr. 1916 as L&NWR No. 1324 and was a late survivor not being withdrawn until Jan. 1946. p.s. RMS 'Falaba' was the first WW1 passenger ship sunk by torpedo in 1915.

© Les Hanson-David Hanson Archive