1900s: The start of the 20th century saw rapid advances in engine design and the appearance of larger engines needed to handle the boom in traffic. The North Eastern Railway introduced its V Class Atlantics in late 1903, and No. 1753 is seen here just weeks old when caught on film in 1904 at Gateshead. High visibility clothing from track workers was still over half a century away! E ASHWORTH
1910s: The era prior to the First World War appeared to be one of spotless engines, and GWR ‘Saint’ No. 2909 poses at Paddington in pristine condition on May 31, 1913. At the time, milk was conveyed in churns rather than by tankers, with some of the vast number needed to be moved daily on the platform.
