Shildon A4s - 8, 9 & 10

When I posed the question why the museum could not remain open after 4pm for once given there was a railtour coming in I was not aware there was photo shoot taking place and I doubt RTC had either. It was simply that a visit to Locomotion was offerred by RTC to see the A4'S as an alternative to travelling on the Weardale Railway and the train would stop at Shildon both to set down and pick up interested passengers. No doubt an additional selling point for the train. Obviously had the train gone to Stanhope first as originally planned there would not have been an issue as it would have been at Shildon much earlier. However it seems from what Anthony says, RTC had never been in contact with the NRM, so end of story. It will be intersting to see how many passengers off the train actually turn up, I would imagine very few given they would now only get 30 mins there. As an aside, I just wonder with both his engines in Shildon at the same time which one John Cameron will be with.

 

That happens every time I travel on a mainline steam tour!

 

Would be nice for the boot to be on the other foot, getting a free ride off the photographers instead, happy days.....

 

10, 9, 8 ... Streaks on countdown 19 October 2012

It was the idea of NRM Director Steve Davies to bring together all six surviving A4 Pacifics for the Mallard 75 celebrations in 2013, and today we were half way there. Martin Creese, veteran of many photo charters, had the idea of bringing No 9 to Shildon to join her two Brunswick green sisters who had recently arrived from across the Atlantic. With the willing co-operation of many, and funded by eager punters, it happened this afternoon. Many thanks to all who made it possible: NRM and Locomotion staff, John Cameron, West Coast and many others. Even the late afternoon sun was kind!

24 photos are at Zenfolio | Peter Hewitt's Transport Pictures | 10, 9, 8 ... Streaks on countdown 19 October 2012

Peter, late on a fine Manchester evening
Zenfolio | Peter Hewitt's Transport Pictures

 

A friend of mine visited Shildon during the week and sent me a couple of pictures of 60008 and 60010. I have put them on my Flickr site and this is the first one; clicking on it will enlarge it and take you to the other one :


RD7742. 60008 Dwight D. Eisenhower at Shildon. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

Hope that they are of interest.

 

Great photos of the 3 A4's, thanks for posting them.

 

I must say thanks to Martin and everyone else involved for organising the photo shoot last night (and tonight),was really something very special to see all 3 A4's stood there,once a lifetime,for certain.

I have put 13 shots on my site at:
A4 Phoot Shoot,Shildon - a set on Flickr

Thanks again,
Mark

 

Interesting how the interpretation of the divide between the black and the green at the 'smokebox' differs between the 3. I think 60009's recent repaint has got both the position and the curve of the line wrong. The fifth photo in the set clearly shows the difference between the No 9 and No 10.

 

We noticed all three were different and were looking at it when Peter Walker of WCRC produced a picture of Bittern and Kingfisher at Ferryhill shed in 1966, both of them were different too. Peter Townend noted it too, and commented that there was a paint diagram for A4s and as far as he was aware, No.10 was the correct one, although it had been painted at Crewe...

 

As one of the participants I MUST echo the thanks of many to Martin for organising the charter and to Anthony (Phil ?) Coulls and the staff at Locomotion for their efforts to make us feel welcome. I think it noticeable that Locomotion has its own ambience that is different from York yet manages to be equally as interesting to the enthusiast and general public alike.

As Martin notes they may not be the best photographs in the world but after this weekend they will be unique; thank you all for the opportunity to share it with you.

 

I have to thank everybody involved too, from Steve Davies, Anthony Coulls and John Cameron to those who organised the actual photo shoot and those who have shared their pictures for all of us, worldwide to see. I'm in Sydney, Australia, enjoying all of your good work and evious as anything of those who could go.

These pictures remind me a lot of official and other photgraphs available to a very young rail enthusiast (4 to 7 years old) in the mid to late 1960's. Indeed, they remind me of a family that moved next to our family circa 1967, migrants from the UK, Harry & Vera plus daughters. Harry worked for BR Eastern Region and had afew photgraphs of himself with A4's on shed.

Cheers

Brett

 

Lovely photos ,thanks for letting us from far away see them.

 

Shildon A4s - 8, 9 & 10

Fair point Ralph but I have been looking through various books at pre preservation A4 s and whilst some do indeed differ from each other all share an almost continuous sweeping arc rather than the arc to almost straight to arc again on No9 and I have yet to find a picture of another A4 with the same line as that currently presented on No9. Indeed No9 had a sweep more akin to the 1966 Crewe applied paint job on No10 after her last overhaul on the Severn Valley.

 

Was the original drawing available to the Crewe painter or was he just told to curve that bit into there.
The same can also be said for any other works paint job.
We will never know for certain.
Besides if it wasn't different you would have nothing to comment on.

 

I was another participant on Saturday, and echo the comments above. Thans so much to Martin for the idea, to Anthony and all at Locomotion, John Cameron for providing no. 9, and of course to Jason the lighting king. Well worth the 460 mile round trip.

Here's one of my shots:

IMG_6657 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

My thoughts on the event and results:

Pictures here of the A4s at Shildon, with 18 being of Union of South Africa and 36 of the line up with the repatriated pair – Dwight D. Eisenhower and Dominion of Canada.
Pictures at:

Union of South Africa: Black Hat Railway Pictures | Union of South Africa at Shildon
Line-up of “8,9 and 10”: Black Hat Railway Pictures | A4 Trio photoshoot

Report:

Occasionally, there are a few moments when you stand back and admire the view before you. Yesterday evening was one such moment. Through the viewfinder was a selection of engines that would have landed you in the asylum if you thought they would be together. This is namely because two were on another continent until around two months ago. Now, before me at Shildon, in the very birthplace of the railways the reunion of classmates Dwight D. Eisenhower, Union of South Africaand Dominion of Canada was something enthusiasts dreamed of seeing back together. There were reasons why it was more special. Firstly, all three A4 engines remained in BR Green Late crest livery, albeit with Dominion still somehow wearing its faded livery from the 1960s. This made the second reason all the more interesting. The engine’s, thus became 60008, 60009 and 60010 in sequence. Three A4’s; in the same livery, in the same sequence in the same place – almost seeing this in BR days as a line up of A4s is the closest anyone like me could hope to be near. Guests attended this unique event included some from the Railway magazine press, but a very notable gentleman in the form of none other than Mr. Pete Townsend, former shed master of Top Shed, graced those there with his presence, wit and comments on all matters related to the very engines now before us that once were under his care.

While the event and line up made for a rare and marvellous experience, thanks should also be made to the staff at Locomotion and the organising team for their hard work. Staff at Locomotion valiantly worked to ensure a friendly, welcoming and safe environment for everyone there. Tremendous thanks should also go to Martin Creese for organising the event and Jason Cross for assisting on the Saturday evening. Finally, a debt of gratitude by all their and thanks is owed to Mr John Cameron for the agreement to move his own engine to the event to attend the photo shoot and visit on the weekend, supported in this by WCRC.

Events like this are also memorable for the company and experience. Many enthusiasts there had travelled the country to see this. It was a great night and great event thanks to the banter, manners and co-operation of all those present.

Union of South Africa’s arrival prior to the weekend brought out massive crowds, so much so that Shildon was awash again with enthusiasts and public alike meeting to see the arrival of No. 9 under her own power. Again over the weekend , various people tried to see the engine at work, although this was hauling goods vans to the delights of those that managed to experience this rare occasion behind an A4, and certainly one still at home hauling expresses at 75mph.

Enjoy the gallery, comments are welcome and appreciated on the website.