A shot that is now over 30 years old. The driver of 47 421 looks for the right away signal from the guard as it makes a stop at Manchester Victoria Station with a Newcastle to Liverpool service. So much in the picture has now changed. 1) This loco was withdrawn and scrapped in 1997 at Crewe Works. 2) The station has been rebuilt and has now changed beyond recognition. 3) This platform was once the longest in the world at 2194 ft. and it extended from Victorias station to the adjacent Exchange station. When Exchange was closed, the platform was truncated and it lost its "world's longest" title. 4) You can see mailbags piled up on the platform on the right. Mail ceased to be carried on passenger trains some years ago. Now only a couple of mail trains operate each day, between London and Scotland. All other British mail goes by road. 5) Services from Newcastle are now operated by diesel multiple units, rather than loco-hauled trains. 6) The Newcastle services were diverted some years ago from Victoria to Piccadilly station, across the city. 7) Of course, British Rail no longer exists, since complete privatisation of Britain's railways.
An unrepeatable shot, I'd say.
