It's a Brit!
70000 was completed at Crewe Works on the 2nd January 1951. She was the first British Railways standard locomotive to be built and the first of 55 locomotives of the Britannia class. The locomotive was named Britannia at a ceremony at Marylebone Station by the then Minister for Transport Alfred Barnes on 30 January 1951, which happened to be my third birthday!
Britannia was withdrawn in May 1966, after 15 years of service. Fortunately she was one of two of the class to be preserved, the other being 70013 Oliver Cromwell. Both have been extremely popular, working on the main line and on visits to various preserved lines around the country.
The unique 71000 "Duke of Gloucester" was once thought to be beyond full restoration but perseverence has seen the locomotive operate successfully on main line railtours.
Britannia was withdrawn in May 1966, after 15 years of service. Fortunately she was one of two of the class to be preserved, the other being 70013 Oliver Cromwell. Both have been extremely popular, working on the main line and on visits to various preserved lines around the country.
The unique 71000 "Duke of Gloucester" was once thought to be beyond full restoration but perseverence has seen the locomotive operate successfully on main line railtours.
