New Street station

Birmingham New Street Station: lnwrbns_br4323

Ex-LMS 2-6-0 6P5F No 42764 stands at platform 3 of New Street station with what is thought to be empty stock circa 1957. As stated by Malcolm Peakman, I would think the train is an empty stock for some kind of arriving excursion - perhaps from the West via the Midland - or even via the connection at Smethwick - the conundrum is that a train from almost anywhere in the country could end up facing that way on that platform. Built as LMS No 13064 by Crewe works in July 1927, it was renumbered by the LMS as No 2764 in June 1935 and again by British Railways as 42764 in April 1950. Universally known as a 'Crab' because of the movement of the high inclined cylinders being remeniscent of a crab's claws when it ate, it was also known as a Horwich Crab to differentiate it from Stanier's version of the 2-6-0 design. The locomotive remained in service until January 1962 when it was withdrawn from 21A Saltley shed to be scrapped by Cashmores of Great Bridge.

Photograph courtesy of John Turner

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