To celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, The Railway Benefit Fund, The Branch Line Society and Locomotive Services Ltd. organised and operated 'The Royal Charter', from Crewe to Windsor, hauled by BR Standard Class 7MT Pacific No. 70000 'Britannia'. The train would depart Crewe and follow the WCML to Rugby pausing at Stafford and Nuneaton for passengers, and taking on water at Atherstone. From Hillmorton Jn the train would take the Northampton Loop. Rejoining the WCML at Roade, the route would be followed to Tring where the second water stop would take place. From here it was on to Willesden, where the train would travel via Acton, Brentford and Staines to reach Windsor. The train would retrace its route back to Crewe in the evening, taking on water at Willesden and Rugby.
Starting at Marston Jabbett, a couple of miles south of Nuneaton. 'Britannia' is heard long before she appears. Under murky skies, the reverberating exhaust emerges from the trees and the locomotive hoves into view. Two brief toots from the chime whistle as the Brit snorts along, passing the camera at 43.53mph. Class 47 D1924 (47810) 'Crewe Diesel Depot' at the rear of the train was just idling.
After a slightly bonkers dash along the M1, we reach the next stop at Cheddington. Cheddington station being the site where the Post Office mail train, robbed in what became known as The Great Train Robbery, was examined by police following the theft in August 1963. A busy station, with a complete mix of enthusiasts and families out to see 'Britannia'. The light throng on the platforms recedes from the edge as 70000 approaches. The crew give a long blast from the whistle, as 'Britannia' roars up the 1-in-393 gradient towards Tring at 62.20mph, running 5 minutes ahead of schedule!
The water stop at Tring allowed a third shot to be captured of the outward run; next came Hemel Hempstead station. Unfortunately, this shot was slightly spoilt by the presence of another photographer. Arriving about 30 seconds before 'Britannia', even whilst making my own presence plainly obvious, this didn't prevent him blocking the view. Never mind. A couple of Avanti Pendolinos pass through the station moments before 70000, slightly obscuring the whistle on the approach to the station. A smokey thrum from the chimney and the Brit races through the station at 72.56mph, flying down the 1-in-332 gradient from Berkhamsted. Immediately after D1924 passes, the crew on the Brit produce yet another long whistle, presumably to warn some track workers, but what a lovely sound as the whistle echoes around the cutting!
Lastly, we see 70000 on her return to Crewe at Kingsthorpe, a couple of miles north of Northampton station. A small gallery of photographers had gathered at Dallington foot crossing in preparation for the Brit's passing and shortly after, 'Britannia''s strong exhaust can again be heard resonating through the shallow valley long before she is seen. After emerging from the vegetation, the crew again give a long whistle as the locomotive accelerates away from Northampton station. Next crossing the River Nene, 70000 begins the 1-in-230 climb to Long Buckby and the thumping exhaust grows stronger. A final short whistle to the photographers at the crossing and the Brit charges north at 45.35mph towards the setting sun.
Fantastic to see 'Britannia' creating such a loud and powerful spectacle, both from the chimney and the whistle! An enthralling display to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Marston Jabbett
01:09 - Cheddington
02:10 - Hemel Hempstead
02:59 - Kingsthorpe
Filmed on a Panasonic TZ70.
Enjoy.
