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Autograph request
Postcard sent by Bray to Charles Fleet on 19th November 1936 asking for his autograph.
In 1936, the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) which had been formed through amalgamation of a number of companies in 1923 (including the LNWR) was confident enough to tackle emerging road and air competition head on. Held back after 1923 following World War 1 and the depression, it was essential to reduce journey times. Likewise, the operators of the East Coast Main Line, the London & North Eastern Railway was similarly engaged and both routes had been bitter rivals in the past to establish their route as the fastest carrier to Scotland.
The LMS contemplated a six hour non-stop service between London and Glasgow but needed information to ascertain its practicality. Crewe North men at that time worked not only south to London but also as far north as Perth. It, therefore, fell to a Crewe Driver and Tom Clark, the Senior Driver in particular, to work the trial train, designated train "703" from London Euston to Glasgow Central. On 16 November 1936 with 6201 Princess Elizabeth at its head, Tom Clark and Fireman Charles Fleet and Passed Fireman Albert Shaw reached Glasgow Central in 5 hours 53 minutes 38 seconds. The following day they did it again in the reverse direction in 5 hours 44 minutes 14 seconds. On arrival the crew were taken to Broadcasting House and interviewed by the BBC.
Source: http://www.class47.co.uk/c47_names.php?s_name=504&index=D
