An Evening on Preston Station 18 July 2012 (Includes 3 steam locos)

After seeing A4 Pacific No.60009 "Union of South Africa" on a loaded test run earlier in the afternoon, I was back at Preston station where in the short space of just over an hour, no less than three steam locomotives, including No.60009 passed through the station.

One thing besides steam that was intriguing was one of the Virgin Pendolino sets that had recently been extended to 11 coaches. This was evident in the number, in this case, 390 112 (ex-390 012) "Virgin Star" on a southbound service for London Euston.
One of the brand new 11-coach sets, 390 157 (currently the latest to be built) arrives on a Northbound service, proclaiming the Alstom logo on the front and back ends.
(I was foolish enough to miss a DRS Class 20 and 3 Class 37s on a flask train in the process!)

LMS Stanier 8F No.48151 arrives on the return Fellsman from Carlisle via Settle. After a brief stop in Platform 1, we see the locomotive departing soon afterward.

Meanwhile, in the siding opposite Platform 3, Virgin Class 57 Thunderbird 57307 "Lady Penelope" stands guard.
Northern Rail Class 150/2 Sprinter 150 215 arrives in the RES platform opposite platfrom 1 on a golf special from Lytham.

West Coast Class 47 47760 then arrives from Fort William with a rake of Mark 1 coaches and LMS Black 5 No.44871 in steam at the rear. The locomotive was on its way to Bury on the East Lancashire Railway where, during its stay, it recieved some light repairs.
With its support coach decoupled and the the Class 47 gone, the Black 5 waits as EWS-liveried Class 66 66043 passes through on a southbound freight.

We then see 44871 reversing out of Platform 7 and returning through Platform 5, closest to the camera as Class 185 No.185 135 collects passengers bound for Manchester Airport.
After being coupled onto its support coach the locomotive waits a few minutes before departing for Bury

Only a few minutes behind was LNER A4 No.60009 "Union of South Africa", which was returning to Crewe from Carnforth following its loaded test run.

© 60007Gresley