LMS Stanier '6P5F' class 2-6-0 No. 2957. Built at Crewe in Dec. 1933 and withdrawn in Jan. 1966 as BR No. 42957. With a very lengthy freight of empties, 2957 heads south along arrow-straight tracks in August 1948 at Ashton in Northamptonshire. The Carlton Collieries Association wagon behind the loco is of note. Although this is eight months into the BR era, little has yet to change. The LMS (and BR) seemed to struggle with the power classification for this class, 5P4F, later 5P5F, later 6P5F, eventually settling for 5MT!

© Les Hanson-David Hanson Archive