5V42, 5Z46 and 5Z61: Three Days Of Steam...

What's that saying? You wait ages for a bus then three come along at once? Well, this post really does give meaning to that phrase as I feature three consecutive steam moves in three days! Working alongside the Northampton loop line really does have its benefits when it comes to spotting main line steam, chiefly because a lot of charter work these days seems to emanate from London. The first working came on Tuesday, with 5V42 worked by Ian Riley's Black Five No44871. She was heading south to Southall ready to work some jobs for West Coast. This Black Five is one of four engines which worked the famous 'Fifteen Guinea Special': the last BR steam working: on August 11th 1968. Nos44781 and 44871 worked the first part of the return leg of this train from Carlisle to Manchester Victoria. Today I was originally going to miss her pass by as I'd have been on my way home. However, thanks to her running about 40 minutes early when she approached Northampton, I caught her trundling by the office.

Wednesday saw a bigger engine: West Country class pacific "Braunton": working northbound from Southall on behalf of her owner Saphos trains. The pacific looked a picture as she worked through Northampton's north junction with her blood & custard liveried support coach in tow. The engine has spent the winter at Southall and is now returning home. In fact, I think I did catch her when she went down to the smoke late last summer. No doubt we'll see her again soon...

With "Braunton" having returned home to Crewe, Thursday saw two of her shed mates steam southward to replace her at Southall. Old friend B1 No61306 "Mayflower" and larger class 6P rebuilt Scot No46100 "Royal Scot" made for an usual pairing as they sauntered by. It's only when put against a slightly smaller engine that the dimensions of the muscular rebuilt Scot become quite apparent. The Scot is big...

The B1 and Scot combo brought the curtain down on a busy week for steam this week on the Northampton loop line. It's good to see so much steam out and about on the main line, attempting to pay its way in the modern world. Next Friday will hopefully see the A4 Pacific "Sir Nigel Gresley" pass us by, also working to Southall on behalf of Saphos. Many thanks for reading folks! Cheers, Sam...

Please note that the above images were taken from land outside of the NR boundary fence.