LMS 14756 'River Ness' at Blair Atholl with the loco shed in the background

Six 4-6-0 'River'class locomotives were ordered by the Highland Railway from Hawthorn Leslie. The first two (70 'River Ness'and 71 'River Tay') were delivered in September 1915 but it became immediately apparent that they were too heavy for the bridges and much of the track of the Highland Railway. These and the remaining four engines were sold to the Caledonian Railway where they were numbered 938 to 943. After 1923, the LMS strengthened the mainline between Inverness and Perth and so the locos did eventually work on Highland rails. The debacle surrounding the 'River'class caused the resignation of Frederick Smith as Chief Mechanical Engineer. He had held the post since 1912.<br /> <br /> This photograph shows LMS 14756 (previously HR 70 and CR 938) at Blair Atholl with the loco shed in the background. It was withdrawn from service in November 1939.