60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" Visits Nuneaton

Today, February 28th, ex-LNER 4-6-2 Gresley A4 Pacific No60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" visited Nuneaton Station whilst hauling the return of Vintage Trains Ltd's "York Excursion". The railtour, which began at Birmingham, was hauled to York by Tyseley's Class 47 (773). At York, once passengers had had a look around, 60007 & her support coach took up the front of the train. At around 1pm the train started back towards Birmingham. At around 5:40pm-ish the BR Blue Pacific approached Nuneaton...where I was waiting with other fellow enthusiasts to capture her on film! The engine rolled into Nuneaton's Platform 6 to set down passengers who had boarded there in the morning. 60007 then set off upgrade to pass over the Nuneaton flyover, cautiously starting her 10-coach (+ diesel) load). Once over the Flyover, off she went towards Birmingham. The A4 was to move from York to Bescot Yard, from which the Class 47 would haul the train for the remainder of its journey back into Birmingham.

The A4, now hauling just her support coach, would then continue to Kidderminster before crossing over onto Severn Valley Railway metals, where she will remain for now (on a visit). Named "Sir Nigel Gresley", after her designer (who also designed the A3s, V2s, N2s etc), 60007 was the 100th Gresley Pacific to be built, part of a 35-strong class of A4s. Wearing BR Blue livery with no 'skirts', the engine still retains its Corridor Tender, enabling a crew change on the move. Formerly No4498, the Pacific is normally based at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway but, as mentioned earlier, this trip was part of a "positioning movement" for the engine to the SVR.This was very necessary on the non-stop Kings Cross to Edinburgh journeys.60007 looked in fine form and this was the first time I had ever seen her. She looked at home on the 10-coach load and easily barked up and over the Flyover with no need for assistance from the '47' at the rear of the train! Glad we made the effort to go out and see her! I've included the video that I took of her above for your enjoyment! Thanks for reading.