‘Steam Spot’ was a regular feature in the British Rail staff magazine ‘Rail News’, a number of which I ‘inherited’ in the late 1960’s and early 70’s. Edited by R. S. Mc. Naught, the pictures appear to have been a random selection of locomotives of all ages originating from all around the country.

N2 tank locomotive number 69568 seen at Doncaster in 1963. Designed for LNER passenger and local freight duties by Sir Nigel Gresley, the engines could also be worked into Moorgate, by way of London Transport underground lines because of the condensing apparatus fitted.

Introduced as a 4-4-0 in 1912 as a class D30, BR No. 62429 was one of 27 superheated locomotives all named after characters in Sir Walter Scott’s novels; - hence they were nicknamed the ‘Scott Class’.  A variation with smaller 6 foot driving wheels (as opposed to the 6’ 6” ones on the ‘Scotts’) was the ‘Glen’ class.

North Staffordshire Railway 2-4-0 locomotive No. 54 pulling out of Llandudno in pre-grouping days. Built in 1882, the engine carried the name ‘John Bramley Moore’ and was often used on express workings between the Midlands and North Wales.

No. 147, one of the 19 ‘Castle Class’ locomotives, built for the Highland Railway between 1900 and 1917 is seen here hauling a train of coal from South Wales to a naval base in the North during World War 1. The last of the class were withdrawn in 1946 by the LMS.

K1 class locomotive number 62045 seen here at Hartlepool towards the end of steam. Introduced in 1949 the two-cylinder 2-6-0’s had many advanced features and were regularly used for freight and other mixed traffic tasks.

Withdrawn in 1959, this ex. LNWR saddle tank was the last of a class of 260 locomotives. Built in 1878, number 2329 was designated CD7, as a shunter for Wolverton works in 1911. The original engines had open cabs and wooden brake blocks.

Seen here working at Sunderland docks in June 1967, BR J27 class No. 65795 was one of the oldest locomotives working for British Rail at that time. Built for the NER btween 1906 and 1923, the class totalled 115 and worked chiefly in the NE industrial areas.

Taken at Spalding in 1933, Peacock class 4-4-0 No. 23 was built in the 1880’s by Beyer Peacock for the then Lynn & Fakenham Railway. Being almost identical to a series by the same builders for the LSWR, designed by William Adams, the last of the class were not withdrawn until 1941.

No. 46234 ‘Duchess of Abercorn’ seen here in 1953 taking on water as it passes below the famous Badger Bridge, eight miles North of Preston. This locomotive was one of the 38 Princess Coronation class 4-6-2’s introduced in 1938, representing the final development of steam traction on the LMS

Seen here at Carlisle is 0-6-0 Caledonian Railways No. 233, a 1916 built addition to a class originally designed in 1895. The locomotive was renumbered 16360 under the LMS and finally 56360 under BR before being withdrawn in 1952

This 1920 photograph is of NER ‘Z’ class ‘Atlantic’ locomotive No. 717. One of a class introduced between 1911 and 1917 by Sir Vincent Raven. The last of the class were withdrawn in 1948.

Rebuilt Bulleid pacific No. 34059 ‘Sir Archibald Sinclair’ seen here at Weymouth shed. For more details on this class of locomotive, see our Bulleid Pacific page.

EMAIL ME