Hi
I was looking through an old negative album I bought about 10 years ago and came across the attached shot. Although the neg is not brilliant I think it must be of the last B13 which I have found out was kept for testing purposes at Darlington. I think the album dates from about 1947. So far so good, but I believe that last long surviving B13 which had been No 761 (NER), was renumbered 1699 in 1946. Although its very indistinct the number on the buffer beam in my photo looks to end in 38 (see enlargement)- that may just be a trick of the light or grime, but it leaves me puzzled. Can anyone help please? Also does the background suggest the location is Darlington?
Many thanks
It looks like '...38' to me too, which would make it B13 No 738, withdrawn in July 1938.
No 738 had the later arrangement of the splashers, as seen in the photograph. No 761 had the earlier arrangement. It also had its superheater removed when taken into departmental service, and was given hinged sight screens between the windows. The photograph shows a superheated engine without sight screens.