Furness Railway '7' class 0-4-0 No. 9. Built by William Fairbairn & Sons of Manchester in 1855 and withdrawn in 1901.

Once in a while a locomotive photograph turns up that blows the proverbial socks off! This fabulous image is most certainly in that category. Probably taken at Barrow-in-Furness, it shows similarities but also significant differences from the two preserved Furness 0-4-0s, No. 3 'Coppernob' (Bury, Curtis & Kennedy of 1846) and No. 20 (Sharp, Stewart of 1863). The main points are the originality of this image showing (I think!) no modifications and the loco in 'as built' condition. Feedback on these observations would be most welcome!

© Steve Armitage Collection