Birmingham New Street frequently saw the early main line diesels after they were all transferred to the London Midland Region in the winter of 1954/5, including the North British 827bhp Bo-Bo No.10800 which is watched by a large throng of spotters as it arrives from Peterborough, probably in summer 1955. On weekdays the diesel, which was based at Rugby shed at the time, worked the 10.25am from Peterborough to Birmingham. It then went onto Monument Lane shed, coming off in the afternoon to work the 3.55pm from New Street back to Peterborough.
Ed Purcell comments - "The trolleys of post and parcels have been loaded so there are none on the end of platform 6. They were seating for the gathered acolytes of the steam gods. It was remarkable how many people of all ages gathered there to watch the trains. I think I was five when neighbour Geoffrey Lee first took me."