Ex-North Eastern Railway Raven '4-6-2' (LNER 'A2') class No. 2400 'City of Newcastle'. Built at Darlington in December 1922 as NER No. 2400 and withdrawn in April 1937.

The dramatic and imposing lines of the North Eastern Railway's "final hurrah" prototype Pacific No. 2400 are captured in this portrait at the south end of York Station circa 1924. Since building, the front bufferbeam has already been given cut away lower corners and the elegant wheel and handle smokebox door fastening will soon be changed to the twin dart type. Removal of the Westinghouse air brake was a further change, as was moving the locomotive number from the tender, relocated to the cab side sheets. Last but probably least, the small works plate was removed to the splasher below the nameplate! Keeps the modellers happy huh?

© Stephen Barrett Archive-SA Collection