What an absolutely superb shot of Laira's 5023 Brecon Castle piloting a "Night Owl" 2-8-0 4703 from Bristol St. Philip's Marsh one of the class to receive a fully lined green livery in the late 'fifties which enhanced the appearance even more.
I envy the fortunate cameraman, as everything is in his favour, two good engines and splendid light with an impressive exhaust. Double heading this side of Newton Abbot was not that common at this period of time, an added bonus for the photographer, and the train will probably be divided at Newton Abbot with coaches for both the Torbay line and over the banks to Plymouth and possibly Cornwall.
Introduced by Churchward in 1919 as a mixed traffic design the 47XX class were regularly rostered for many years on the heavy night time express freights and parcels traffic, with six allocated to Old Oak Common during the mid ' fifties, two at Bristol St. Philip's Marsh and one at Southall. On Summer Saturdays one would sometimes appear at Plymouth with an express from Paddington.
Happily, and thanks to the Great Western Society, an example of the class is being born afresh at Didcot.