Past and Present - LMS 4-6-2 "Coronation" 8P
This class, also called "Duchesses" (and nicknamed "Semis") where in my opinion the finest passenger locomotive design in the UK. There was no more magnificent sight than these locos climbing up to Shap summit with a typical 14 coach train.
On the 9th May 1964 I was privileged to travel on a special from Nottingham Victoria (1) to Swindon hauled by 46251 - appropriated named "City of Nottingham" - pictured below awaiting departure at Nottingham. Only a few months later the whole class was withdrawn, but fortunately 3 were saved for posterity.
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One of the saved locos, 46229 "Duchess of Hamilton", was purchased by Butlins and was kept in a playground for many years before being rescued and with funds from the Friends of the National Railway Museum, restored to full operation. 46229 has visited the GCR on a number of occasions, and seems ideally suited to the Main Line preservation scene.
