Description

These range from the railway’s elegant but obsolete 4-2-2 singles, through the range of Johnson-Smith-Deeley compounds via the distinctly inelegant “Flatiron” 0-6-4 tanks, taking in a range of Kirtley veterans on the way. In common with some other major railways (GN, NE, GC, etc.) the Midland found that the introduction of steam sanding gear gave a new lease on life to the single-driver locomotive, but sadly this was not long lived. The introduction of heavier coaches and longer trains outfaced them, and after a brief Indian Summer in front line service, they found themselves relegated to secondary lines in flat countryside or to double heading.

Ignominiously many of the Midland examples were to see out their final years, double-heading old Kirtley outside-framed 0-6-0s on Toton to London coal trains.

A super collection of formal locomotive portraits suitable for framing.

PREVIEW BELOW – MAY TAKE A WHILE TO LOAD.