Goods locomotive no 65

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

Class E Goods Locomotive - No 65. The Staffordshire knot on the tender was used from the early days of the NSR on wagons as well as on the locomotives as an illiteracy symbol. This was in the days of the 19th century when illiteracy was quite high. Even the most illiterate employee would recognise one of the Company's locomotives so that the knot became more of a logo. Later on in the century the symbol was discontinued and the words "North Stafford" was used on on the tenders. The knot symbol must have been particularly useful on goods wagons.