London Midland ‘Princess Royal’ No.46207 Princess Arthur of Connaught entering Snow Hill during its four weeks in February 1956 (from 1st to 26th) on loan to the Western Region at Old Oak Common when the 'Kings' were taken out of service with serious bogie problems. Although the train is clearly running in a southbound direction, its Train Reporting Number 180 was for the 9.10am from Paddington to Birkenhead. The balancing working was the 2.35pm from Wolverhampton to Paddington which is presumably the train the ‘Princess’ was working in this photograph.

Peter kerslake says "This interesting wintry scene at Birmingham Snow Hill reminds me of how cold it was that 1956 February when the Western Region's " Kings " were all out of action following bogie fractures having come to light the previous month .
To help fill the gaps in the Paddington to Wolverhampton and Paddington to Plymouth workings " Princess Arthur of Connaught " shown in this view arrived at Old Oak Common on the 31st . January with her sister 46210 " Lady Patricia " joining 46254 " City of Stoke on Trent " and 46257 " City of Salford " , both of which had been similarly transferred a week earlier .
Any workings between Paddington and Bristol by the four " Pacifics " were ruled out as in April of the previous year , when 46237 " City of Bristol " was tested on that line , her size was too much for the turntables at Bristol's Bath Road Depot , and she was turned on the North Somerset Junction .
As the " Kings " were reunited with their repaired bogies and began to return into service the four " Pacifics " were sent back to their respective home sheds later in that February".