According to the original negative sleeve, No 1000 County of Middlesex is in charge of a Penzance and Swansea express. The locomotive still fitted with the original style double chimney which was later replaced with the variant applied to the entire class as a result of re-draughting arrangements.

Peter Kerslake adds "So much of interest at this location as Old Oak Common's County of Middlesex has reached the top of the eastbound climb of the 1 in 36 gradient to Dainton tunnel without the need for a pilot engine from Plymouth. The severity of the climb is evident by the fact that the siding on the left is on the level and the delightful Saxby & Farmer built signal box from their Chippenham factory stands watch over the main lines. The mirror just visible above the leading coach enabled the signalman to see that all was well with trains entering the tunnel, especially when his view may be obstructed by westbound traffic on the nearer line. The board in the foreground warns descending freights to "stop dead" and pin down their brakes before dropping down the bank."

Copyright David P Williams Archive / Rail-Online