Part of the ‘High Peak Express’ of 25th September 1955 which had started from St Pancras behind No 46100 -A “Trains Illustrated” excursion organised by Ian Allan. This picture shows two NLR tanks Nos 58860/50 tackling the 1 in 14 Hopton Incline on the Middleton Top to Hopton Top section. (This section was run in two halves -the photo was probably the second half; the photographer having travelled up to Hopton on the first half.) The two were then combined for the onward journey to Friden. It was the last time that NLR tanks took enthusiasts over these lines. The 1 in 14 gradient is very clearly shown in this remarkable photograph.

© David P Williams Archive; Original photograph by Donald Luscombe.