6201 Princess Elizabeth

by Clive Mojonnier (softback, Locomotive 6201 Princess Elizabeth Society Ltd, 39 Newton Street, Millom, Cumbria LA18 4DR, 200pp, £33 including p&p, cheques payable to C Mojonnier).

THIS limited edition is packed full of the history – and pictures – of No. 6201 from the beginning of William Stanier's Princess Royal class in 1933 through to its service with LMS, BR and later in main line heritage action.

Swindon-born and Swindon trained, Stanier joined the LMS in 1932 when it was evident that a more powerful type of locomotive was required to work increasingly heavier trains out of Euston to the north.

The advent of Stanier's new 4-6-2 class evoked memories of rivalry with LNER to run the fastest passenger trains to Scotland. King's Cross held the honours until No. 6201 made that epic dash south, reaching 112mph in the process to claim the record from A4s.

This is just a hint of what the book contains, a book to be welcomed at Christmas… with proceeds going to

the overhaul of No. 6201. PORTRAIT OF A CLASSIC