this event had a huge turnout of both preserved Steam, Diesel and electric loco’s and was superb in every way. There were around 15 main line certified Steam locos boiling away, whistles blowing,great stuff as well as other steam locos not in steam, there was a big presence from the diesel world and also a big presence from the AC electric loco group, they did us proud, well here are a few snaps for you all.
My appologies for you folks on dial up.
first 4472 Fling Scotsman
second, Crewe built 6201 Princess Elixabeth next to classmate 46203, 46229, 6233 and Standard 8 No 71000
below is 5972 Ollton Hall best known for its role in the Harry Potter film as Hogwarts Castle
another race horse, 60009 A4 class Pacific
Stanier 4-6-0 No 5690 Leander
just retired class 87 electric No 87001 will be preserved, a fine machine that will be missed on the main line
This is a Virgin Thunderbird loco, a class 57 fitted with a re-con SD40 engine
here it is dragging an electric Pendolino onto an un electrified route
Thankyou thankyou Steve, A very heartwarming trip down memory lane for this ageing spotter. I grew up in Sussex and spent much time during the '50’s and early '60’s spotting steam.
By the way, I recall reading a couple of years ago that the Flying Scotsman had sustained some damage that put it out of operation for the forseeable future. It looks to me from the photo as though it’s in a partial state of disassembly. Is this the case, or has it returned to steam once again?
Thanks, Steve, for sharing your photos! Too cool for words to adequately express. What a thrill! Leander is beautiful as always, and Olton Hall looks superb!
I love British steam, and am now looking at my OO Hornby model of a former LMS Black 5 in early BR scheme, wishing I could see the real thing in 1:1 scale!
Great pics Steve, thanks, like Simon it kinda made me home sick, especially seeing that dreary, cloudy grey/white sky, all we have down here in MS is recurring, monotonous clear blue skies [sigh] … [(-D]
Great pics of some great British steam, I spent many,many summer vacations down in Wales as a child and we always rode the old steam trains, esp the Ffestiniog, great memories, many thanks.
I am glad you liked the pictures, i am still in a daydream,fantastic
Flying Scotsman is alive and well, the copper pipes are for the cylinder drain cocks, they are opened upon starting up to allow condensated water to escape.
This is a link to Don Burgess’s web site, it’s a video clip of Flying Scotsman going to Crewe on Friday afternoon towing some Diesels http://www.burgess57.freeserve.co.uk/4472.WMV
here’s some heritage AC electric
this is a class 86 AC electric on the traverser at Crewe, it painted in Network Southeast scheme
this is a class 89 six axle electric. it was built in Crewe in 1986 as a prototype and only one was built, its capable of 125 mph and has just come out of service due to spare parts sourcing
ISAMBARD, the drain cocks on all british locos point to the front, i think it’s to avoid potential injury to train crews oiling up or maybe to avoid clouds of steam engulfing the engine, it also stops the train crew getting deafened as the noise from these is sometimes horrendous
this is a quote from a steam organisation in the UK
All cylinder drain-cocks should point forward to avoid injury to members and/or the public
Steve, you know how much I love British locomotives![:D] Absolutely fantastic pictures. Who doesn’t love the Flying Scotsman? I would love to go to England and see these locomotives in person.
