Even the glamorous stations could look gloomy in steam days - Estimated date
Possibly Sir Nigel Gresley's most handsome design , and a class of locomotive capable of working express passenger workings as well as fast parcels and fitted freights " V2 " 60946 sets off in grand style from Kings Cross , probably working back home to York in this shot from the early ' fifties.
I made a few trips to Huntingdon by 'bus when I was working at Cambridge, and the sound of these locomotives , even before they came into view, roaring up the grade at too high a speed to capture on film , and heading North through Huntingdon station , is even now with me.
" Maids of all Work " the " V2's " certainly were , and my photograph of 60946 shows her setting off from Kings Cross on an express passenger duty , not an uncommon sight for one of Gresley's finest , the engines also being entrusted with fast , long distance fitted freights as all part of their wide ranging duties , particularly on the East Coast main line to the North .
I still recall a visit to Huntingdon , made by ' bus when I was working at Cambridge , and witnessing , amongst others , a number of " V2's " heading up the grade on Northbound workings and racing non stop through Huntingdon station long after they had been heard in the distance and before they actually came into view .
Epic sights and sounds indeed !
My Box Brownie camera wasn't man enough to record such sights , and so I decided that Peterborough North would be a better location as at least most workings made a brief stop there !