London, Brighton & South Coast Railway Marsh 'H1' class 4-4-2 No. 38. Built by Kitson & Co. of Leeds in December 1905, named 'Portland Bill' in 1926 and withdrawn in December 1951 as BR No. 32038.

This superb portait of 38 at Brighton Station shows the locomotive brand new in 1906. it has the brass cabside numberplate (removed shortly afterward) and the full LB&SCR on the tender. The original glass negative is so sharp that even the maker's plaques on the headlamps can be seen! The obvious influence of Henry Ivatt's Great Northern 'C1' Atlantics is evident and as a Yorkshireman I am proud that Marsh chose Kitson's of Leeds to build his 'H1's'.

© Steve Armitage Archive