London & North Western Railway Ramsbottom 'Special Tank' class 0-6-0 Saddletank No. 2131. Built at Crewe in May 1874 and withdrawn in September 1928.

It would seem that Heaton Mersey Station in Stockport, seen here in the 1890s, was a favourite location for this unknown photographer. Several similar locomotive portraits have appeared in print over the years. It's amazing that one or two memers of this 278-strong class survived until 1958! I have concluded that as a lifelong railway enthusiast, my best bet may be internment in the establishment behind the locomotive!

© Steve Armitage Collection