LMS Route: Evesham to Birmingham

Harvington Station: mrhv570

MR 1P 2-4-0 No 165 is seen entering the station with a reasonably heavy train with passengers ready to embark. The Inspector on the left and the porter in the background are both watching the photographer, whilst the passengers are all focused on the approaching train. The lady's luggage seems to comprise primarily of flower baskets. The signals are lower quadrant meaning that the signal arm falls below the horizontal to show ‘clear’ rather than the type mostly seen today which has the arm raised above the horizontal. The Inspector, who appears to be carrying a cash box, is identified as being a Junior Inspector by his metal cap badge of a large capital 'M' surmounted by a coiled Wyvern, whilst his lack of a frock coat dates the photograph to being from 1905 or later, the passengers' clothing suggests it is probably from before or during the First World War. The cash box could perhaps have been used in connection with the weekly payment of wages or for some purpose connected with passenger ticket revenue.

Toby Clempson

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