Sunday 20 November 2011

Panniers in the Night...

Hey folks. Tonight, through the fog and the dark, myself and my girlfriend headed down to Nuneaton railway station in order to try and catch a glimpse of two Western babies on the mainline. At 6:53pm; right on time; double-headed Pannier Tank's Nos7752 (as L94) and 9600 pulled into Platform 6 to set down passengers. In the dark, the two Pannier's smoke up as they prepare to depart for Tyseley...
The two Pannier's; both of the Tyseley Collection; had been on a circular outing taking in some of the Freight lines of the East Midlands, leaving Tyseley and heading out through Nuneaton and on to Leicester. From Leicester they completed a circular route before returning to Leicester again for a water stop/leg stretch. The Western pair then retraced their steps back home again, setting down passengers on route. The train; made up of 9 mixed coaches and a bogie van; was led by L94 with 9600 as train engine. I must admit, they looked great together. 9600 is no stranger to the mainline and having done a good few trips of late, she is known as a good performer. For L94 (7752) however, it has been a while. But, having returned to steam at her Tyseley base this year and having been tested on the Stratford-upon-Avon route last week, she is obviously fit to be a mainline engine once again! Wearing shining London Transport red, the loco; fired by Alistar Meanley; looked stunning tonight. Anyway, after setting down their passengers, the Pannier's were given the clear to go. L94 gave a shrill whistle, followed by 9600. The two then set off up and over the flyover, but not without a little slip from 9600! As they steamed away, the skill of the two drivers (Churchill & Poole?) was obvious. Both seemed completely in sinc with eachother as the 0-6-0s made their way home. I have promised myself, I'm going out on the mainline with a Pannier next year ;) . Below, there is a very dark clip of the two Pannier's pulling away from Platform 6; you can't see them, but you can hear them!...

And, with that, they were gone, but their voices continued to travel on the chill wind...
Thanks for reading folks. It was lovely to see the Pannier's out doing what they were built to do and, as I've said, I'll be after a ticket with them next year ;) Evening all - Sam...

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