I have to admit that the Midland Railway is a favourite probably because of the sheer elegance of S W Johnson's locomotive designs. In my view there is nothing better than a Johnson Single locomotive. Formed from the usual amalgamation of minor railways the Midland became a leading operator in the years before the Grouping of 1923. Even after this date it had a huge influence on the LMS Railway for many years much to the dismay, I suspect, of the LNWR supporters.

Formed in 1847 from the amalgamation of minor railways, this railway served the central part of England in the Yorkshire and Lancashire areas but was always in competition with other railways in the area due to lucrative coal transportation in the rich coal fields. The railway was subsequently amalgamated with the London & North Western Railway shortly before the Grouping of 1923.The locomotives appeared to be quite colourful in the early years being a dark green (almost Brunswick green) This disappeared by 1878

Midland Railway

© Don Marshall 2010

ELEGANT STEAM

800 Class passenger locomotive No 815. These locomotives were introduced by Kirtley 1870 and were adequate for their tasks. However, when Johnson took over as CME he reboilered the whole class and also fitted larger cylinders. The illustration shows an early  Johnson rebuild at about 1876 which still retains the original open splashers. They were good performers and regularly operated over the Settle-Carlisle line - though the thought of working in the open cab on a wild Pennine night makes one wonder at the hardiness of the crews.

The livery is the green colour adopted by the MR after inception, although Johnson changed the dark green to a lighter shade. At the date of the illustration the familiar red colour was being introduced so it would be likely that in 1876 all three colours would be seen.