The 10am ex-Euston (3.53pm from Carlisle) to Perth which at the time was a regular Princess turn from Carlisle, departing majestically from the down relief Platform 1 of Citadel Station on 1st May 1962 behind Princess Royal No 46201 Princess Elizabeth. It was remarkable that the scene should have been recorded at all, as a year earlier this locomotive was lying out of use at Kingmoor MPD in company with 46210, minus nameplates and with sacked chimney, looking unlikely to ever steam again. It seems, miracles do sometimes take place. The lack of smoke deflectors on the Princess Royals emphasised the huge length of boiler giving the impression of unlimited capacity to handle any train. It is testimony to their capabilities that the members of this small but elite class of Ppacifics were used on important express services right to the end. In attendance beneath the Victoria road viaduct, No 72007 Clan Mackintosh waits to take over a Manchester – Glasgow train and Jinty No 47667 is engaged on station pilot duties.

Photo by, and copyright of David P Williams