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'Black Five' 4-6-0 5407
crosses Ribblehead Viaduct with a northbound railtour on 25 November
1989. This was the era when steam photographers were outraged at the
inclusion of an ex Class 25 Ethel (Electric train heating ex
locomotive) in the consist, made worse by the fact that it was
painted in InterCity livery! On this occasion 97252 (ex 25305) is
officiating. The Settle & Carlisle and fine weather are not
normally something I associate, the weather in the fells always seems
to be poor when I venture up there, even when there is unbroken
sunshine everywhere else! However this late autumn day proved the
exception and provided a number of excellent pictures. |
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'Black Five' 4-6-0 45407 The
Lancashire Fusilier (masquerading as 45157 Glasgow Yeomanry)
& BR 4MT 2-6-0 76079 slog up the gradient towards Sugar Loaf Tunnel on
the Central Wales Line with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z27 04:36 Crewe to
Llandrindod Wells (via Newport) 'Heart of Wales Observer' railtour on 20
September 2003. With over four miles of 1 in 60 gradient to reach this
point, the pair could certainly be approaching for a long time! |
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Although the sun was trying
to break through the high cloud, it was still a drab grey morning on 22
April 2007, when 'Black Five' 4-6-0 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier
worked the Pathfinder Tours 1Z76 07:50 Cardiff Central to Gloucester 'Severrnside
Rambler' railtour, part of a series of mini-tours taking in the Dean
Forest Railway and the Sharpness branch. It is seen here climbing out of
the Severn Tunnel, with the approach road to the new Severn Bridge visible
in the background. The short tunnel behind the train takes the line under
the A 403 road, the entrance to the four mile long Severn Tunnel being
just beyond. |
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Jubilee Class 4-6-0 5690 Leander
crosses the River Cherwell near Heyford with the Great Western Society
Paddington to Bridgnorth 'Jubilee Castle' railtour on 6 October 1984,
which was steam hauled from Didcot. As hinted at in the railtour name, the
return from Saltley was behind GWR 4-6-0 5051 Drysllwyn Castle. |
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8P Class 4-6-2 6201 Princess
Elizabeth makes a spirited departure from Skipton on 27 October 1990
with the Friends of the NRM / Flying Scotsman Services 'Cumbrian
Mountain Express' railtour from Kings Cross to Appleby, which the
pacific took over at Leeds. Unfortunately it was a typical dull and
dreary autumnal day, but at least the exhaust stands out clearly against
the grey sky. |
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8P Class 4-6-2 6233 Duchess
of Sutherland approaches Tackley on 26 May 2006 with the PMR Tours
1Z20 07:20 Manchester Victoria to Didcot 'Oxfordshire Express' railtour,
which the steam loco had worked from Derby. There are few spots around
Oxford that are ideal for a southbound train around lunchtime, with the
sun being virtually head on. I thought this would be irrelevant anyway, as
there was extensive cloud cover when I walked across the field to this
location. However, just as the train appeared around the corner the sun
came out! |
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8P Class 4-6-2 6233 Duchess
of Sutherland approaches Callow Hill (just west of Wootton Bassett)
with the Vintage Trains 1Z33 08:39 Solihull to Bristol Temple Meads
'Duchess Bristolian' railtour on 1 September 2007. For once I was glad
that the sun wasn't out, as this is taken from the north side of the line.
The M4 motorway can just be seen in the background. |
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The steam age
returns to Goole Docks on 15 March 2003, as Lancashire & Yorkshire
Railway 0-4-0ST 'Pug' No.51218 masquerading as scrapped classmate
51222 passes a couple of buildings surviving from the steam era as it
passes the site of Goole Goods Junction with a short freight. West
Dock can be seen in the background, with the freighter Sea Kestrel moored
at the quayside. Piles of Scandinavian timber, which is one of Goole's
chief imports can be seen in the foreground.
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On 15 March 2003,
Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway 0-4-0ST 'Pug' No.51218 masquerading
as scrapped classmate 51222 passes a couple of vintage lorries as it
heads along the quayside past Railway Dock, Goole. 51222, or "Three
Little Ducks" as it was affectionately known as in Goole (from the
shape of the number 2s on the numberplate) was one of the regular Goole
Dock shunters for many years, and was in fact one of the last of the
vintage class in service, finally being withdrawn from Goole shed in
1960. |