On the way home from work today I decided to make a slight detour to see an old friend: the beautiful B1 "Mayflower". Long term readers will remember that I have many happy memories of this engine during her time at Shackerstone. Back then she was owned by the late Gerald Boden: a kind and welcoming gent who loved to show off his immaculate locomotive. The B1 was renowned for her sparkling livery and I spent many days on her footplate as a trainee fireman. These days she's a main line performer again and I managed to catch her slipping through the blustery fields of Warwickshire on route from Carnforth to Southall. Today's weather certainly heralded a return to more seasonal conditions: it was absolutely bitter! Just for old times sake, I've included a shot of "Mayflower" at Shackerstone a few years ago now...
"1306 Takes Coal at Shackerstone" (Pic - D.Hanks)
The sun was shining upon "Mayflower"s route just minutes before she came into view but, just as always, it hid behind the clouds as the 4-6-0 slipped by. It was nice to see the old gal' again, gently strolling southward with her short train. Good luck old gal': see you again. Until next time, Sam...
I meet her owner here in New Zealand about 12 months ago, he'd just been in the cab of the engine I was driving and we started talking, he starts by saying " I own 5 engines".... very interest and nice guy to talk too :)
That's certainly a claim to fame Jeff! The new owner has certainly ensured that "Mayflower" returns permanently to the main line and long may she continue!
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I meet her owner here in New Zealand about 12 months ago, he'd just been in the cab of the engine I was driving and we started talking, he starts by saying " I own 5 engines".... very interest and nice guy to talk too :)
That's certainly a claim to fame Jeff! The new owner has certainly ensured that "Mayflower" returns permanently to the main line and long may she continue!
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