I think I have finally found a prototype loco for renumbering my Midland 3F. Though this is not without some uncertainty. Today I received my copy of Middleton Press' "Branch Lines around Towcester" which is a strange title for a book dedicated to the Stratford upon Avon and Midland Junction Railway. Obviously the authors had leanings toward the eastern end of the line.

However, there is a photo of a Midland 3F, No. 3529 at Fenny Compton, hauling a Stratford bound train in 1939. This is Plate 86 in the book. Meantime, Mike Musson of warwickshirerailways.com fame (yes he should be famous!) has revisited and tweaked the photos of Stratford Shed and posted them on the site. His image smjsa77b has been significantly improved and two numbers have been re-interpreted as 3077 (inside the shed but not a Midland 3F, but a 2F) and 3322 on the road to the side of the shed. The only problem with 3322 is that it may have been scrapped before the photo was taken. This is indicated on railuk.info

http://www.railuk.info/steam/getsteam.php?row_id=27598

to have been withdrawn in 1926. This would be before the new engine shed was constructed.

So, what to do? I took a long hard look at Mike's improved image and decided that I could see 3529, not 3322. Anyone who remembers the movie "Blow Up" will understand the potential errors in making this judgment. But since I have the evidence of 3529 at Fenny Compton, I still have a genuine candidate for the model which is currently in the "paint shed" awaiting its transfers.