One final outing for “The Peoples Engine” before she heads into overhaul ahead of her centenary year next year, saw 60103 Flying Scotsman at the head of 2 Steam Dreams Excursions, one from London to Salisbury, followed by a Salisbury to Eastleigh circular.

With a perfect rake of maroon coaches, and borrowing Mayflower’s discs, the A3 is firstly seen accelerating away from Clapham Junction at Wandsworth Town. My next port of call after this was due to be Grateley, however my train there was cancelled so I had to settle with Andover. With the camera fully zoomed in, Scotsman comes into view drawing the crowds as always, disappointingly with the brakes on hard as the signal was yellow, with the train ahead of her running late.

A few hours (and a long walk) later, it was onto the circular tour, firstly captured at Lockerley near Cooks Ln on the approach to Mottisfont and Dunbridge station, with St John's Church in the background and the sun perfectly positioned on the train, followed by the foot crossing near the station, where the train was 10 minutes early as the train due ahead of it was cancelled. This somewhat build up of cancelled trains would soon get the better of me.

My plan for the return was to go back to Andover, but both my connections which would’ve allowed this were cancelled, so I had no choice but to head to Basingstoke via Southampton, where now in darkness Scotsman coasts past at a decent pace. Finally, it was back to the classic Barnes Bridge station where at last some acceleration was witnessed from a signal check. With sparks flying, the A3’s exhaust beat echoes around the area as she climbs the gradient into the station and onwards towards London.

Not the day that was planned, but it was nice to see the engine one last time ahead of its overhaul. 60103 would head back to Castleton on the ELR the following day where the works would begin before celebrations of its 100th birthday next year will commence.

•Facebook: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть