The second Churchward 4-6-0 to be built, No 98 is the centre of attention as it waits to leave Paddington in c1904. It was named Vanguard in March 1907 and Ernest Cunard in December the same year and became No 2998 in 1912/13.


Peter Kerslake says "Slow resolution film made life difficult for the early cameramen and the dark confines of Paddington did not help with this 1904 image of Mr. Churchward's first true standard engine numbered 98 and recorded with a slow shutter speed, the locomotive emerging from Swindon Works in March of the previous year.
The gentlemen on the platform are clearly interested in Mr. Churchward's second member of his "Saint" class, then just a year old, whilst a rake of empty wagons wait on platform one , possibly for empty milk churns.
This image shows the massive 10 inch diameter piston valve head covers and the absence of a nameplate, the engine later in March of 1907 being named "Vanguard" and then "Ernest Cunard" nine months later and being renumbered 2998 in late December of 1912 and remaining in service until June of 1933."

Photo: Rail Archive Stephenson