Kicking off LSL's steam itinerary for 2024, A4 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' worked a Steam Dreams tour from Kings Cross to York. The outward run went entirely up the East Coat Mainline, taking water at Huntingdon and Babworth Loop. The return would see the train diverge from the ECML to run via Gainsborough and Lincoln on the GNGE Joint Line.
Starting off we see one of two other steam charters out the same day, Black Five 44871 worked 'The Cheshireman' from Euston to Chester via the WCML. This would follow the WCML, via the Northampton Loop, to Crewe before taking the North Wales Coast route to Chester. The Five is seen thumping alongside the North Oxford Canal at Shilton. A pair of Pendolinos pass in opposite before the roar from the chimney dominates the area. The train clatters passed with a little assistance from Class 47 47815 'Great Western' as tail gunner.
Back to the A4 and it's first seen in it's birthplace, Doncaster. By this point, the weather had turned sour and the train was greeted with persistent rain. Nevertheless, the platforms were, very, busy with people awaiting Sir Nigel. Having only been given the road about a minute before passing, 60007 was accelerating hard through the station. Two blasts from the chime whistle and the train gathers pace as it passes, preparing itself for the racing stretch to York. Even with the photographer in the green jacket entering the frame and blocking the view, I was quite pleased with this shot given I was simultaneously operating the camera and an umbrella!
The return is first seen at Colton Jn. Luckily by this time, the rain had cleared up A rather leisurely departure from York saw the train come through 5 minutes late. A farmer in their tractor tries to keep up with the A4 as she gets into her stride, shovelling steam over her shoulder as she thrums along the mainline towards Doncaster. Typically, a minute after the train had gone, the sun came out!
Next came 44871 once more at Bletchley station. With a passenger drop off at Milton Keynes Central, we hoped the Five would be giving it some to get back up to speed after the pause. We weren't disappointed! The lamp on the front comes into view, the thumping exhaust showing the crew meant business. Racing through the station, the noise grows louder and louder as 44871 thunders passed, this time without any tail gunning!
Lastly, we catch up with the A4 again at Hitchin. Running 10 minutes late, the crew were clearly minded to make up for lost time. The bright lights from an LNER Azuma are swiftly followed by the lamp on 60007 as they have a racing approach to the station. As the Azuma overtakes Sir Nigel, the chime whistle starts screaming right through the station! Even with the late running D1935 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013' was just hanging off the back of the train!
Timestamps:
00:00 - 44871, Shilton
01:07 - 60007, Doncaster
02:12 - 60007, Colton Jn
03:21 - 44871, Bletchley
04:03 - 60007, Hitchin
Filmed on a Panasonic HC-X1500 with an AudioTechnica AT8024 microphone.
Enjoy.
