Further information from J Thickitt.

Just above the engine's number plate, there appears to be an anonymous, saddle-shaped feature. My impression is this was the train's Headboard, a fixture which showed the title of a train (for an example of a titled train at this station see image s43381).

Interestingly, the train already showed an express passenger-service code even though 'stood' on a track which wasn't alongside a platform (the class of train was shown by oil lamps, here clean and white, which on the front of an engine were known as the Headcode). Perhaps of significance is the shunting signal (known as a 'ground disc', here viewed from behind and so showing a white bar) to which the engine had drawn-up. Possibly the train may have originated at Victoria Station and was photographed in the period between the 'ECS' (empty coaching stock) arrival and the departure of the service.

The catenary (overhead wiring) of the Woodhead electrification scheme is visible in this image. A more precise dating aid would be the engine's British railways number, providing a no-earlier-than date of 1948, when the railways were nationalized.