At Coventry in 1937, superheated ‘Precursor’ No 25300 ‘Hydra’ has the blower on in preparation for departure with a local working. Built in August 1905 as No 1617 the engine was renumbered 5300 by the LMS in 1928 and again to the duplicate list as 25300 in 1936. Final withdrawal took place in June 1940.

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