Скачать или смотреть 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley | 44871 | The White Rose - Double Steam at Peterborough - 16th November 2024

#steam #a4 #black5

Saturday 16th November would see two steam tours heading down the ECML for York running under the name of 'The Christmas White Rose'. Saphos trains 'The Christmas White Rose' would run from St Albans to York via Bedford, Kettering and Melton Mowbray to Peterborough, before heading down the ECML to York. The Railway Touring Companies 'The Christmas White Rose' would run from London Kings Cross direct to York down the ECML, initally via the Hertford loop to Stevanage. Last year on the 18th of November two tours left London Kings Cross and ran direct to York hauled by two Black 5's, 44871 and 45231. This year Black 5 no.44871 would once again be in charge of the Railway Touring Companies 'Christmas White Rose' from Kings Cross to York, and as far as Peterborough on the return, with A4 no.60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' in charge of Saphos trains 'Christmas White Rose' on the legs from Peterborough to York and return, with the loco being based at the Nene Valley Railway either side.

Although 44871 was to pass a couple of miles from my house I fancied some variety in locations and the opportunity to film two tours which were booked to run 10 minutes apart meant I decided on a trip to Peterborough. Taking the train from Stevenage I arrived at Peterborough just before 8am, in plenty of time to see 'Sir Nigel Gresley' arriving in platform 5 from the Nene Valley Railway, pausing in the station before heading for Spital Siding to await a path back into platform 7, before shunting north to eventually join the tour which was to arrive in platform 4 diesel hauled. We then see 'Sir Nigel Gresley' shunt back into the station, with the tour held at a red signal in the distance. A chance for a few close ups before 'Sir Nigel Gresley' heads north to reverse onto the tour.

The crowds on the station were incredible, hundreds of people out to enjoy the spectacle of two main line steam tours in a row, plus two diesels on the charter and a steady stream of freight and RHTT trains. I decided to try and avoid the crowds, and to get ahead of the locos, by moving to Mayor's Walk bridge north of the station (nice to meet and chat to ‪@davebenjamin5380‬ who was also filming there!). From there we see 'Sir Nigel Gresley' reverse back onto the stock and Class 47 47711 'Greyfriars Bobby' head for the sidings having been on the rear of the charter as it arrived from St Albans. Then we see 'Sir Nigel Gresley' depart heading for York. Some 20 minutes later smoke appears at the other end of Peterborough station, and 44871 drifts into the station running some half an hour late. Shortly after she makes a storming departure, heading onto the fast line with no assistance from the diesel on the rear.

A very enjoyable morning, hopefully everyone who travelled across the two tours had a great day.

Photos...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...