Railway Train Steam Locomotive Birthday Card featuring Duchess Class 4-6-2 46227 Duchess of Devonshire from a painting by John Austin GRA

One of the artist's favourite classes of locomotive, the LMS / BR Princess Coronation Class, more commonly known as Duchesses were the epitome of steam traction on the Midland. From their early publicity with the Coronation train and 'Bathtub' streamlining, the locomotives gained an enviable record for reliability and power. Even against the early diesels and electric locomotives, Stanier's wonderful design held its own, only finally being superseded from 1962 with the last being withdrawn in 1964. Happily a number have been preserved with 46229 'Duchess of Hamilton' now sporting her original 'Bathtub' streamlining and striking Red and Gold livery.