Peter Kerslake says "Ariel was intended to be the first Britannia to be allocated to Laira when it emerged from Crewe Works in June 1951 but was diverted to Leeds Holbeck instead and then went to the Eastern Region at Stratford in March 1952. It did not actually reach Laira until August 1953, over two years late.
December 1956 saw 70016 together with all the other Newton Abbot, Laira and Old Oak Common Britannias joining the five already at Cardiff Canton. 70016 was fresh from overhaul in May 1961 just four months before transfer to the London Midland Region at Carlisle Canal that September. Behind Ariel is one of the six Kings also transferred to Canton in September 1960."
Photo by, and copyright of David P Williams