Peter Kerslake says "I suspect that this location here at Winwick , to the north of Crewe on the West Coast main line may well have long been a favourite location for railway photographers , with its panoramic and unobstructed view across the tracks , and I recall being taken there one evening whilst on holiday with my relatives at nearby Leigh .
70025 , " Western Star " was Cardiff Canton's first " Britannia " delivered there from new in September of 1952 , the first of five , all of which were used to full advantage on the fast daily " Out and Back " passenger services from Cardiff to Paddington and return such as the " Red Dragon " and " Capitals United Express " , the locomotives being well liked by shed staff and footplate crews alike at Canton .
From December of 1952 until February of 1953 " Western Star " underwent tests at Rugby Test Plant to evaluate coal consumption compared with steaming capabilities , thereafter returning home to Canton before being transferred to Birmingham's Aston Depot in September of 1961 , and she was condemned from Carlisle Kingmoor in December of 1967.