The LNER Encyclopedia

A question I've been meaning to ask for some time, and perhaps someone who knows more about the LMS might have the answer.

'Duchess of Hamilton' as splendidly re-streamlined has boiler handrails in the usual (ish) position. However, there is no footplate which might make the handrails useful.
Does anybody have any idea why they were there?

We all know that the A4s were streamlined inside and out by design, the Coronations weren't.

Perhaps the handrails were just there because "locos have handrails", or maybe they knew the casing might not last?

Were toe holes provided, possibly?

Could be for putting a ladder against to assist with cleaning, as when built most staff would be wearing leather boots with studs in, standing on that slope would be difficult without slipping off.plus the paint shop would not happy having to keep a prestige locomotive looking smart.

Thank you. The use for ladders would seem to make sense.

Ay up!

It is certainly a matter of record that Stanier did not like the idea of streamlining at all. His proposals for streamlining the Princess class were singularly ugly (IMHO) and possibly designed deliberately to turn the LMS directors against the idea? Who knows. Her certainly saw it as a mere "Fad" and foresaw the removal of streamlining, hence possibly his decision to produce both streamlined and non-streamlined versions of the class.

Now - here's an idea. Would there be so many A4s preserved has the streamlining been removed?