A4 In The Night...

Good evening everyone. Tonight we took a trip out, only down to Nuneaton, to see A4 Pacific No4464 "Bittern". The garter blue pacific was hauling a Cathedrals Express to London Euston, and had worked the northbound leg this morning. Its been a good day for steam on the main in our area as the Duchess was working a Euston excursion both ways on the Coventry line too, though we were at Warley this morning so didn't see her pass. 4464 arrived bang on time in Nuneaton's Platform 5 and was immediately struck by the melee of enthusiasts and the general public. One person even climbed up onto the cladding and walked the running boards on the A4, much to the annoyance of many people there. I inadvertently captured the start of this odd act in the picture below, where the 4-6-2 is pictured being photographed for all she's worth...

Once the loco was cleared of unsightly running board riders, the engine pulled away into the night with a clear whistle of her traditional chime. The 3-cylinder Gresley beat echoed into the night as the A4 quickly disappeared, hauling a lengthy well filled train. The boiler ticket on the respected A4 is soon to end and I believe she will be pulled apart for overhaul in January. Good luck to her, and we wish her a speedy return to use. All the best, Sam...