9222x 1960c Dawlish
BR 9F 2-10-0 No 9222x with an up express (844) on the Dawlish sea wall between Black Bridge and Dawlish Warren, probably in 1959 or 1960. It is allocated to 83D Laira so it must be one of the small batch 92221 to 92225 allocated there in July 1959 until June 1960. It has not been well looked after!
Peter kerslake adds "The '844' Reporting Number is confusing as workings from the Plymouth line began with '6' but the authorities on the Western Region were always changing them, and "8" had been a South Wales number for many years.
Note the observation post above the cliffs, a remanent of the last war when a number of such were placed round this vital section of line to give prior warning of enemy activity in the bay which was directed to threaten the line, a vital link to and from the Westcountry."
Photo: Cecil Ord / Rail Archive Stephenson