Today we were treated to the sight of the beautiful A2 Pacific No60532 "Blue Peter" making its first run to the smoke in many a year. The 4-6-2, wearing the short lived but striking BR express blue livery, passed by us at Northampton today, working her support coach to Southall. The A2, which is part of the Saphos stable, has only recently returned to the main line following a multi-million pound overhaul at Crewe. Peppercorn's 15-strong class of A2s were built over 1947-48, with "Blue Peter" being the only survivor. A 250psi boiler plumbed up to three 19" cylinders coupled to 6ft 2" wheels gave them a very respectable tractive effort of 40,430lbs. This puts them above even the Coronations and the Kings for tractive effort, at least on paper. The larger wheeled (6ft 8") Peppercorn A1s: represented today by the replica "Tornado": came in around the 37,000lb mark. Today, the blue "Blue Peter" was having a steady run to the capital, ready to be formally launched into service tomorrow with a special charter of invited guests from Kings Cross to York. Good luck to her.
According to my memory (and my records) I can't recall ever seeing "Blue Peter" in the metal before, let alone in steam. I must say I have massive respect for LSL at Crewe for getting this fine old engine going again and seemingly sparing no expense. Hopefully we'll see her again in the not too distant future. Cheers all...
Please note that the above image was taken from land outside of the NR boundary fence.
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