The first is an ex-GWR King hauling two parcels vans from Chester at Shrewsbury. These vans were part of the London-Aberystwyth parcels train and supposed to be detached at Birmingham Snow Hill. This train is readily confused with the London-Birkenhead parcels.
The second photograph shows a BR Standard 3MT tank locomotive on the Birmingham Snow Hill - Chester General cross country service. This train is normally pulled by medium power tender locomotives such as Granges, Halls and Counties but was accidentally run through to Birkenhead Woodside. This was due to confusion with the Chester-Birkenhead local service which is also comprised of four maroon carriages.