Ex-Great Central Railway Robinson '9N' (LNER 'A5') class 4-6-2 Tank No. 69819. Built at Gorton in October 1917 as GCR No. 411 and withdrawn in March 1958.

Making a stirring departure from Boston in Lincolnshire, 69819 has just three coaches to contend with, it’s working a Boston to Grantham Local about to enter the Grantham line at Sleaford Junction. Photo taken from ‘Black Bridge’ looking north. The loco depot is on the left. Boston had around 4 or5 A5s on the books during the 1950s including 69803,08,16,18,19. They worked mainly the Grantham service until around 1956 and the Horncastle branch until it closed in 1954. There is an ex-Great Eastern 0-6-0 Tank doing a spot of shunting in the yard by the shed as a group of workers stroll nonchalantly by. What appears to be a Gresley 'K3' 2-6-0 is just visible in the distance. A lovely 1955 scene indeed.

© Les Perrin , Steve Armitage Archive