53809 on shed. It is late afternoon during May 1964. Although the withdrawal date is quoted as June 1964, this photograph was taken on the last day the 7F worked a train.
The engine is on road 9 behind either 53807 or 44558. It had been planned that 53807 and 9 would haul a special on 14 June 1964, but that was not now possible, and 44558 worked the train instead.
Great effort had been made to keep the 7Fs going, 53809 having been to Barrow Road in February, 53807 to Swindon Shed in April for repairs. Amazing to think but there was a chronic shortage of steam engines suitable for the S & D available at that time
