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The London & North Eastern Railway, created upon the grouping of railway companies in 1923, became perhaps the most glamorous of the new “Big Four” companies. They were famous for the operation of express trains between London and Edinburgh, services which were heavily promoted by the LNERs publicity machine. Some of Britain’s most successful designs of locomotive could be found at the head of these high speed trains, including the famous Pacific classes designed for this type of work by Sir Nigel Gresley. The LNER however was much more than just this, romantic side of railway operations; it was a very diverse concern. Intense commuter services were part of daily life in and around the London area, heavy mineral and general goods trains were also worked and remote corners of Scotland were served in the company’s varied feast of activity. In order to satisfy the needs of the operating department, the LNER employed a large fleet of locomotives, some of which dated back to the 19th century. Unfortunately, of all the “Big Four” railway companies, they today have fewer surviving examples but those that have escaped the cutters torch however, are amongst the most popular steam engines in preservation. Locomotives featured range from tank engines such as N7 No. 69621 through to the glamorous A4 Pacifics that once raced along the East Coast Main Line. |
