Great Eastern Railway J. Holden 'D27' class 2-2-2 No. 1000. Built at Stratford in 1893 and withdrawn by 1907.

The Great Northern and North Eastern railways always seem to take precedence over the Great Eastern Railway when considering the LNER's constituents. Yet, at the grouping in 1923, the GER carried more passengers than any other British railway company! Its principal shed at Stratford had over FIVE HUNDRED locomotives allocated in 1923! Its three CME's in the 20th century, James Holden, his son Stephen and Alfred Hill are woefully unrecognised. The GER's official 1893 photograph of James Holden's elegant 2-2-2 No.1000 shows the lovely livery applied. The deep blue panels were bordered in black, with vermilion lining between the black and blue. Boiler bands were black, edged in vermilion, wheel centres were blue, with vermilion lining around the axle-ends and tyres. Phew!

© Steve Armitage Collection