SIR - I am ‘one of the few’ firemen remaining alive who regularly worked on Victoria and her sister loco, Bellerephon.

Both Low Moor engines. Victoria was transferred to Low Moor in brand new condition, having had a major overhaul at Crewe Works. Her paint work was in pristine condition, but she wouldn’t steam properly.

Low Moor maintenance staff, despite their best efforts couldn’t improve the problem, and she was eventually hauled to Crewe Works and her boiler tubes were completely renewed.

On her return she was used mainly on excursion trains to the east and west coast, and was absolutely reliable.

Granville Dobson, Greenacre Way, Wyke