North West Clayton

This photo would certainly not win any prizes for quality, but I think is worth including for the rarity value.
Clayton Class 17 No 8512 stands at Manchesters Longsight Depot, coupled up to what is probably Test Coach Hermes, on Sat5Feb72. The loco was withdrawn from service in October of 1968, but was then claimed by the Research Department and renumbered - on paper at least - to S18512, though I'm not sure if it ever carried this number.
At the time the photo was taken, it was employed on test trains up and down the Styal Line, and could usually be found stabled at Wilmslow. It was eventually scrapped at Glasgow Works in January 1973.
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