[dwb]

To be succeeded on its regular London-Leeds return duty.

oh rats! Now I've got to buy one...
David

 

[dwb]

it first announced itself by the rapid wa-ah-wa-ah-wa-ah engine beats

Something like this?

I didn't go looking for it, it got suggested ....

David

 

[dwb]

I don't like the look of the W1 either but it was a prototype and a lot the shape is governed by the boiler.
For looks, the V2 with internal steam passages to the cylinders is my favourite.

David

 

[dwb]

From memory; the 'all filled in' code (i.e. smokebox + 3 on buffer beam) was reserved for the royal train, however I am struggling to find a source for that one for some reason....

I have the same memory but Google didn't turn anything up. I must have read it in a book back in the days before t'Internet

David