When approaching Northallerton, North Yorkshire's county town, trains can either choose the 'high level' approach taking them into the station, or (as seen here) the 'low level' that offers an effective bypass. The disadvantage of the low level is that it crosses the main road into the town and thus required a level crossing, a notorious bottleneck for road traffic.

BR Peppercorn 'A1' 4-6-2 No. 60129 'Guy Mannering' is approaching that crossing from the south and is heading a down express for either Middlesbrough or Sunderland. The high level line can be seen behind the smokebox. 60129 was built at Doncaster in June 1949 and was withdrawn in October 1965.

© Stephen Barrett Archive-SA Collection