York Railway Museum 159 



of our British trains is something out of 

 the ordinary. What a terrible pity it would 

 have been had No. i joined the rest of her 

 fifty odd sisters in the derelict world! Yet 

 she had a near escape! One Saturday I 

 spent at King's Cross sheds, and came 

 across old No. i. The man in charge threw 

 cold water on my words of praise for the 

 veteran. Said he, " If I had my way and 

 I probably shall ere long I'd break her up 

 to-morrow." 



I expostulated, very warmly too, and he 

 replied: "Ah it's all very well for you 

 folk who have nothing but sentiment for 

 the old machines. I'm responsible for run- 

 ning this establishment, and I want every 

 inch of room. I've neither time nor senti- 

 ment to waste on an engine out of steam 

 for all time. Why, she is only a shell." 

 And climbing to the footplate I found that 

 this was indeed true. Fortunately, for the 

 Centenary celebrations, the old engine was 

 restored to steam and, later under her own 

 power, made what was stated to be her last 

 journey to York. I decline to believe the 



