6201 and the Jubilee Pageant

There was a problem with the OLE in the Mitre Bridge area last night and early this morning but it has now been fixed. Lizzie arrived at Kensington on time and is now waiting on Acton Lane to go to Battersea; hopefully it has stopped raining by the river like it has here in dingy North West London.

 

Just seen on the BBC coverage that the Queen boards a launch at Chelsea next to the rail bridge at 14.15, with Lizzie leaving Imperial Wharf station at 14.14 , so if all goes to plan this should be the "starting" moment.

 

6201 has just been shown on the t.v. sitting on the bridge.

 

A wonderful touch, 6201 at the pageant start ready to see her namesake board her boat!

 

Nice bit of coverage from the Beeb, 6201 looks to be in fine form judging by all the videos I've seen so far.

James at SVN

 

I'll second that. Brilliant!

 

Although a bit embarrassing commentary........steam train !!!!!!!!!!

 

Lump in the throat moment. As the queen was being ferried to her luxury yacht, 46201 gave a long blast on her whistle and you could hear an almighty cheer from the crowds as the loco's whistle blew and the boat passed under the bridge. And you can see the loco moving off light engine. Wonderful, moving stuff.

 

The lads on the footplate certainly seemed to enjoy their five minutes of fame!

Shame they couldn't have got Britannia involved as well - now THAT woud've made for a spectacle!!!!!

 

Well done to the BBC commentator who commented on the 4 persons on the footplate, even mentioning one or two of their names. Indeed, as the engine moved off the bridge, he said what a fantastic moment for train enthusiasts. He was right about that.

Thanks to Vintage Trains and Network Rail (can't believe I am saying this - LOL) for making this possible!!

 

Nonetheless, a nice commentary about Lizzie in the end and the footplate crew. I will look at Sky in a second to see how they presented the story.

James at SVN

 

Quite agree; they had it covered well

 

A few more shots added - Courtesy of BBC...
Clive Hanley Photography | 3 June 2012. Princess Elizabeth has a date with the Jubilee Pageant. | The signal is green. It's on its way. Crowds are awaiting the first stopping train to London for the festivities.

 

Great stuff I've recorded the BBC One coverage so should be able to have a look later, not sure if Sky did anything on 6201 but if so there was probably some wrong facts if Kay Burley was covering that part (she already messed up earlier after talking to two children).

Anyway a proud day for the Crew members on 6201, the 6201 Princess Elizabeth Locomotive Society Ltd, Vintage Trains, West Coast Railway Company and Network Rail and I look forward to seeing 6201 for the first time in nearly 10 years at Railfest on Saturday. Are the Royal decorations staying for Railfest? Would be a nice touch.

 

Here is the only decent shot I managed to get on my DSLR at Ascot:

It belted it down just before she came and it got very dark!

 

Just been on Sky's website and there was a SkyNewsRoyal twitter feed which had this. ''#queen's steam train LMS arrives on bridge to 'toot' her as she floats underneath #diamondjubilee''.

 

A very nice touch, especially for those (namely me!) who couldn't make it to see her today. I hear Lizzie is heading north with L94 tonight after she gets back in (reported on another thread, which I can't find at the minute - will edit the post when I find it) for RailFest2012.

James at SVN

 

Sounds right as the NRM website says 6201 and L94 arrive June 4th.

 

Lizzie now back on the train and waiting to return to Kensington; hope nobody got too wet at the pageant - it has bucketed down a couple of times here in NW10 since my last post.