GWR 47XX 2-8-0 No 470 heads away from Teignmouth with an up slow in c1932.

Peter Kerslake says "With a mixture of typical Great Western stock in her charge Churchward's 4705 heads along the sea wall at Teignmouth in this 1937 image, bound for Dawlish and Exeter on a local stopping service.
Recorded as running the most miles of her class 4705 was withdrawn in December of 1963 from Southall Motive Power Depot after running just over one million, six hundred and fifty six thousand miles, so she must have been a good one!
This photograph shows the lengthy operating rod for the cut off and reversing gear, indicating that same was operated by the driver having to cope with using a massive lever within the cab, and later proposals to replace the operating lever by a more efficient screw reversing system in the early 1950's were not brought into effect.
Sadly, an early suggestion that the class should be named was refused by the Great Western's Directors but many years later they did at least benefit from being turned out from Swindon following overhauls in fully lined out green livery which enhanced their handsome lines even more."


Photo: Robert Brookman/Rail Archive Stephenson