Last Days of Steam Northern & Eastern

In the 1950s a magnificent array of steam locomotives still operated on the lines that criss-crossed the North and East of Britain. However, in 1955 the Modernisation Plan was issued that showed that steam traction was doomed. By 1960/61 the Beeching Report was starting to have a major effect on the steam fleet and some major and well-liked classes disappeared entirely. All the Princess Royals were withdrawn by the end of 1962 and the Duchesses were eliminated south of Crewe by 1963. All of the 440s were gone by the end of 1962 and many well before that date.