Introduced in 1942, Edward Thompson's 'B1' class 4-6-0's were his most successful design for the London & North Eastern Railway. 410 of these excellent mixed traffic locomotives were built, sixty at Darlington, just ten at Gorton (Manchester) and the remainder by outside contractors North British and Vulcan Foundry. Many survived until the final years of steam including 61263 pictured here only two months before her withdrawal, simmering quietly at Dundee Tay Bridge depot. Fortunately, two of the class have been preserved for future generations to appreciate.
