An A4's Swansong? | 60009 'Union of South Africa' with 'The Yorkshireman' | 07.03.2020

On what could potentially be her final mainline voyage, ahead of her boiler certificate on the fast approach to expiry, LNER A4 60009 'Union of South Africa' would depart from London one more time, with the Railway Touring Company's 'The Yorkshireman' from Ealing Broadway, heading along the Midland Mainline and Erewash Valley to reach it's destination; York. From many points at view at this moment, it is not strictly clear as to if this would be the final chapter for the A4, but John Cameron did state at York, "I want one final trip with her before it's too late"...

For now, onto the action - starting at Ayres End Lane, north of St Albans, the loco, in the hands of Driver Bob Baines, is seen powering away from a passenger pickup, with load 11 on the hook and no sign of an assisting diesel (a rare sight on these Midland trips!). Followed by Frisby-on-the-Wreake, where she is seen galloping away from Melton Mowbray following another passenger pickup, and marching onwards toward Syston where she would rejoin the Midland Mainline. The A4 then proceeds to pass through a very busy Alfreton, where it was evident the whole village had come out to witness the occasion, with driver Peter Kirk and his hand on the chime whistle! The final passing shot, of which could've gone better focus-wise, sees 'Union of South Africa' accelerating over the River Aire and under the shadows of what remains of the Ferrybridge power station's cooling towers, on the final stretch to York. One added bonus I have included, is the locomotive backing into the National Railway Museum's loco yard, where disposal of perhaps her final mainline fire would begin, with one final solitary blast on the chime as she came to a stand. And, that's your lot...

All shots filmed in 4K with a pair of Panasonic VX870 and VX980 camcorders, with a pair of Takstar SGC-598 Microphones.

  / jpmediaphotography  
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