Hi all. Today we were out spotting Jeremy Hosking's A4 Pacific No60019 "Bittern" which was hauling "The Palatine" railtour from London Euston to Manchester. We arrived at Nuneaton about half an hour before the train was due and, with equipment set up, all we had to do was...wait. Sure enough, 2-minutes later than the stated 11:10am passing time, a loud blast on the Crosby Chime Whistle was heard before "Bittern" burst through Platform 2 on the Up Slow line to the North. With a good load behind and a Class 47 on the back, 60019 was well on her way. However, the A4 would not be returning hauling the train, the 47 on the back would instead, leaving 60019 to run light engine towards York. In BR Brunswick Green, the A4 looked just right...especially with her TWO tenders! Why two tenders?...more water! This A4, unlike her 5 preserved counterparts, is capable of carrying 14,000 gallons of water (5000 in the leading tender and 9000 in the secondary tender). The 2nd tender once belonged to, what was then, Alan Peglar's A3 Pacific No4472 "Flying Scotsman". It was converted for use with 4472 due to the then lack of watering facilities on her railtour routes. However, now owned by Mr Hosking, it was given to 'his' 60019. The video footage I captured is seen below...Two shots are spotted in the above video...one from Platform 1 (me) and one from Platform 2 (my younger brother). 60019 roars through the platform, in this case No2, and off towards Stafford and Manchester. You will notice, in the first shot, the little Class 153 single car DMU which stands in Platform 1 as "Bittern" comes through. This unit only arrived just as "Bittern"s passing-time was approaching and blocked off the shot for many photographers...typical! We were in fact very lucky that it stopped where it did else we would have been "bowled out" as well! All in all, well worth going to see as I've now seen all four of the Britain-based preserved Gresley A4's. Thanks for reading everyone. Back home now to clear out the loft! Afternoon All...
2 comments:
Hi Sammy
Good reporting. I have seen the photos of the 2 tenders in the Raill magazine.
There is also to be trials of water troughs. They will be tempory structures that can be set up prior to a rail tour and then removed afterwards. Must try and find out where- may be a photo oportunity to recapture an old scene. I can remember them, you knew the scoop was down as the windows became very wet even on a good sunny day.
The Graduate
Thanks Peter. It really was a sight to see. Water Scoop trials you say? Now that really would be something to see! I never thought anyone would do that ever again, except maybe the GCR. In fact, if I was a GCR person I would definately suggest that they put a Water Trough in. Its just about the best place to see it. They should put them at Quorn near the TPO equipment. They could do a 60mph Water Scoop pick-up as well as a 60mph TPO pick-up! Thanks Peter. See you soon.
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