Ex-GER Class Y4 No 68127 at Stratford shed in June 1950. Could the crews see the forward view with all that coal in place?
One presumes that lack of a bunker was necessary to keep the axle loading to a minimum although they were already powerful and heavy machines.

The bunker was small inside the cab; basically a small hopper with a sliding door, between the firebox and cab side; I can imagine the bucking up and down of the small wheelbase (these locos were known for breaking their cylinder drain cocks, apparently) made for a self-leveling action! As there were 11 bars over the window, I don't think the fireman's visibility was a high priority!

Built 1914; w/d April 1956.

© David P Williams Archive / Rail-Online