For locomotives only ever intended to last a few years, the Riddles-designed 'WDs' mostly managed about quarter of a century in service! In the early 1950s, comparative tests were made on the two variants. This suggested that the 2-10-0 versions were better locomotives in every respect than the 2-8-0s and should have been built in the same quantity instead. A real rarity was a clean 2-8-0, so 90052 photographed at Trafford Park MPD in Manchester is a sight to savour! Photo dated May 1955.

© Ken Widd. Steve Armitage Collection