No 2601 Princess of Wales

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

No 2601 Princess of Wales. Designed by S W Johnson Midland Railway Locomotive Superintendent and introduced in 1899. 2601 was awarded the Grand Prix at the Paris Exposition in 1900.The Midland did not like naming their locomotives very much, in fact, only this and one other were ever named. Although the Midland had single drivers in earlier years it was not until the advent of steam sanding that they really came into their own. These lovely locomotives were introduced in 1887 in five distinct classes to a total of 95 of which 2601 was a member of the last group which were the largest with 7ft 9.5ins drivers. They did their work well and were found all over the Midland system.

I'm quite pleased with this illustration which is much much better than the original. I have tried to capture the "London" or "Weatherburn" style of lining which was rather more ornate than the standard lining of the time. I got the details of this from Jack Braithwaite's book " S W Johnson Midland Railway Locomotive Engineer Artist" - a book which every Midland enthusiast or lover of beautiful locomotives should own.