Photographed from a view point just to the west of Blaydon railway station which in now obscured by trees the Duchess is skirting the river as she heads westwards on the Tyne Valley Line on March 16th 1985. Her journey on this day started at Kings Cross and terminated at Carlisle
Staniers Coronation Class were handsome locomotives introduced in 1937, their streamlined appearance was influenced by the recent appearance of Nigel Gresley's streamlined Class A4 on LNER metals. In a move which began in 1946 the Duchess of Hamilton and her class had their streamlined casings removed and smoke deflectors fitted.
Following her withdrawal from BR service in 1964 Duchess of Hamilton was sold to Butlins who put her on display at their Minehead Holiday Camp. The years spent at this seaside location saw deterioration of the locomotive setting in, and looming maintenance costs. In 1975 Butlins signed a twenty year loan agreement for the engine to be taken into the care of the National Railway Museum at York, where she became a static exhibit following cosmetic overhaul
A popular desire to see the engine running on main lines again was realised following a successful appeal for funds. After a substantial overhaul of the engine her outright ownership passed from Butlins to the NRM. Finally, back in steam in 1980 she hauled the first of many trips back on BR metals
In 1998 the locomotive was returned to static display at York where she remains to this day, looking splendid in Crismon livery, and with her streamlined profile reinstated