Great Northern Railway Ivatt Class "C1" (LNER Class "C1") 4-4-2 No.251 (LNER No.3251; later No.2800 - would have been BR No.62800 if it had not been withdrawn until 6 months later!) in GNR Grass Green livery at Barrow Hill roundhouse, 8 February 2014. No.251 was the first of this class in 1902 and immediately made a huge impression in the railway world. Together with the GWR Churchward "Saint" and "Star" Class 4-6-0's of 1902 and 1906, these three designs set the path for future express passenger development in Britain until the end of steam, although the "C1"s were a very different concept to the GWR 4-6-0's. No.251 was the first engine in Britain to have a wide firebox and set the pattern for future Atlantics and Pacifics in the UK. Despite having a BR Power Class of only "3P", they could haul heavy expresses at speed and in WWII they achieved impressive feats of haulage in difficult circumstances. All-in-all, the "C1's" were one of the most outstanding British locomotive designs - and one of the most elegant!
hugh llewelyn
CC BY-SA 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58433307@N08/12417528324/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/58433307@N08/12417528324/</a>