Ex-LNWR 3P 4-4-0 Precursor class No 25319 'Bucephalus' is standing at platform one on an up passenger service. Built as LNWR No 990 in April 1906 it gained its LMS running number (5319) in July 1927 and was later placed on the duplicate list as No 25319 so that the old number could be allocated to a new Black 5 engine. It was withdrawn in December 1940 and scrapped at Crewe works immediately afterwards.
The train is a Birmingham to Rugby (or Leamington Spa) working which probably goes forward to Euston via Northampton. The wisp of steam from the cab roof is coming from the carriage warming safety valve -a rarely seen phenomenon. Steam at the front end and beneath the first coach shows that the crew have steam heat on -it was obviously a very cold day. The first coach is a MR suburban brake third.

Copyright: David P Williams Archive / Rail-Online Original photograph by Harry W Robinson