Скачать или смотреть Black Five 45212 at full speed through Colton Junction! The Valentines White Rose | 15/2/25

Today’s video features LMS Black 5 Class 4-6-0 45212, a rare sight in the South, on RYTC’s “The Valentines White Rose” from London Kings Cross to York and return. The tour would originate at Kings Cross, travelling North up the East Coast Mainline via Peterborough, Grantham, Newark and Doncaster before a break in York whilst the train was turned and serviced. After that, the train would return to London via Lincoln Central, with the steam being swapped for a diesel at Peterborough. The weather for the day was forecast as rainy but in the end it was mostly just very low cloud and grey. 45212 is also due to be withdrawn from traffic later this year so it’s good to see her about before she goes.

Because engineering works were in place on the ECML between Newcastle upon Tyne and Northallerton, I had to travel to York via the Durham Coast Line. With that, I travelled from my local at 08:33, changing in Thornaby and York to arrive in Doncaster for 11:49. Here I met ‪@themodster‬; as always, great to have a catch up! Despite a few movements around the station by a late LNER Mk4 set and a freight train we were worried wouldn’t use its allocated platform, we got a completely clear view of 45212 barking through the centre road with whistles as she picked up speed from a pathing stop! With that success in the bag, I headed back to York, with the intention of seeing 45212 on the turntable. Sadly I wasn’t able to do this, as she didn’t emerge from York North Yard in enough time for me to catch the 843 bus to Colton Junction, which is our next vantage point. With darkness creeping in, an LNER service moves out the way in time for 45212 to absolutely rocket through at speed, making a lovely noise! Thanks very much to Richard who gave me a lift back to the A64, although no thank you to the 840 bus that then didn’t stop for me! Once I managed to get the next bus into York I caught the 18:39 TPE service towards Middlesbrough and headed home after changing again at Thornaby.

Thanks to all who made this day possible; to LNER, TPE and Northern for getting me around, to Thomas for his company and to WCR, 45212 and her crew for some outstanding performances. Thank you also to my secondary planner for her advice on shots as always, and I hope you enjoy as I did!