RailPictures.Net Photo: 46256 Sir William A.Stanier F.R.S. British Railways LMS Coronation Class 4-6-2 at Crewe, Cheshire, United Kingdom by Steve Armitage
Here's a wonderful locomotive portrait from my archive. It was taken at Crewe, probably around 1960 by the late Jim Carter. Jim was a railwayman and he had access (and opportunity) to take images in locations 'off limits' to non-railway personnel. Three of the 38 ex-LMS 'Coronation' class Pacifics have been preserved but No.46256, named after their designer, Sir William A. Stanier F.R.S was not among the lucky survivors. In case you're wondering, F.R.S. is 'Fellow of the Royal Society'. Founded in 1660 as the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge! Now known simply as the Royal Society, it's a learned society for the advancement of science and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. It was a fitting honour for such a fine locomotive engineer to be appointed a member.