Ex-Great Western Railway Collett '57xx' class 0-6-0 Pannier Tank No. 8742. Built at Swindon in June 1931 in Sept. 1962. In July 1957, 8742 is carrying out the kind of duty at Dudley Station that will be happening all across the former GWR system. These powerful and versatile locomotives are rightly regarded as a a classic of British locomotive design and development. Their very proliferation (863 built!) tends to hide their light under the bushel of familiarity!

© Les Hanson-David Hanson Archive