Pictured at Dundee Tay Bridge MPD, ex-LNER Gresley 'A3' 60097 'Humorist' had an interesting life. Over its 34 years in service, it was the test bed for a whole series of experiments to improve drifting exhaust obscuring the driver's view. The eventual solution being the Witte 'German Style' smoke deflectors fitted to many 'A3s' as recommended to BR by King's Cross shedmaster Peter Townend. Curiously, 'Humorist' never received these and was fitted with the unique straight-sided type illustrated here.

© Steve Armitage Archive