This is a rare photograph of one of the iconic Southern Railway locomotives, marking the completion of the South Eastern Railway's new N15 Class 4-6-0 No. 785. Captured in the early 1960s, this image showcases the train's sleek and powerful design.
The locomotive, with its distinctive yellow and black liveried paint scheme, is one of only a handful of Southern Railway N15s still in existence. Built in 1954, it was designed to haul high-speed express trains through the English countryside. Its impressive 6-2-4 wheel arrangement allowed for speeds of up to 85 mph.
This photograph offers a unique glimpse into the past, when the railway network was at its peak and locomotives like No. 785 were a symbol of national pride. The image is in excellent condition, with crisp black-and-white tones that evoke a bygone era of steam power.
