Great Goodbye at Shildon alert !

"No panic, according to ITV Tyne Tees the 6 A4s are at Shildon for the next 5 weeks!!!!!!

(just been on towards end of 1800 programme). "

Here is the video (at bottom of the page) of the six beauties at Shildon in a steamy Valentines story:
http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2...he-love-train-for-30th-anniversary-breakfast/

 

It's a shame they have to go back, especially 4489 as she looks stunning in her 1937 livery - none of this GWR BR green nonsense.

 

Take a bow Mr. Coulls.

 

The six A4s bow out at Shildon 15 February 2014

The opening day of the Great Goodbye at Locomotion, the NRM's Shildon offshoot, was never going to provide photters with their perfect shot of the surviving six A4 Gresley Pacifics. What it did do was to inspire this enthusiast with the willingness of literally thousands of people of all ages to turn out on a cold damp February day to celebrate one of the icons of British engineering. This set of photos is dedicated to them, for they reinforce our hobby and help to ensure its longevity.

Today, five of the A4s were lined up in front of the museum, with the sixth on the brake van shuttle, giving hundreds their chance of a first ride behind an A4. Hopefully many of them will be bitten by the bug and will want to do it again on a preserved railway or main line run.

There was a spare road on the apron so hopefully the night shoot participants will get all six in a row. All in all, it appears that the excitement of the last eighteen months will end on a great big high.

20 pictures are at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p601100598

Peter, back in Manchester on a cold winter's night, but still warm inside
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

PS Good to meet you on the barriers at lunchtime, Anthony. You can be really proud of the show, even though you said you found it all a bit overwhelming. Well done!

 

Heres my efforts from today, as I live a little closer, it will be updated throughout the week.

Enjoy...

http://www.blackhatrailwaypictures.co.uk/p957206289

 

OK - the bottom line here, after reading some comments and noting some images already, will it actually be possible to get a shot of all 6 A4's together in a line up during the normal opening hours at Shildon? Looking at the schedule, it seems that one of the A4's everyday is either at the Platform or running Brake Van rides, so initial conclusion seems to suggest it won't be possible? Looking forward to the answer.

 

It appears that you may be right Doug unless it is possible to photograph the line-up of 5 with the 6th running past on a shuttle (not having seen the shuttle in operation I don't know how near it passes to the Shildon apron in front of the building). Whilst unfortunate for the day visitor it may be part of the "attraction" for the paying customer at either the early morning or late evening sessions.

 

I'm afraid it's always likely to be 5 + 1 in the daytime. The platform for the shuttle is separated from the five by a row of catering vans. When the shuttle moves off up the demonstration line, the stored support coaches obscure the view of the five.

I think The Black Hat's pictures show that the best chance of snapping the five, unobscured by visitors, will be achieved by arriving early and snapping over the fence between the apron and the footpath to the Northern Rail station before the public are admitted.

A big advantage of Shildon is that the locos are much better spread out than was possible at the NRM. And despite the problems, hello? It's six A4s together, probably for the last time ever! Just go and immerse yourself in a very special feeling!

Peter on a sunny Manchester morning
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p601100598

 

Thank you for your replies and sadly it is what I fear so not sure if there is any incentive in going I'm afraid. As some of you know, I have already seen the six loco's at the NRM so therefore already "immerse yourself in a very special feeling" has already happened. I have no problems is paying for a ticket to see and photograph the six together but I was unable to book a ticket, mainly because of "work schedules" and by the fact that when I knew those schedules, no tickets were then available. As things stand, the only day I could make it is Saturday, 22nd but if there is no chance of getting the six together, then again, no incentive in going. Sorry chaps. you may not agree with me but that is way I see it.

 

You will still see all six just not together. Tickets were on sale many many months ago (that's when I purchased ours)
As you saw at York not much point again if purely for photos, as setting is fairly crap but better than York.
Shame about the boards on front of engines much better without them, more so on No:7 with NRM Shildon running for daytime people free entry.

 

Having received a photo evening ticket for my birthday, I personally would be a little bit miffed if anyone could get pretty much the same thing for free. Looking forward to it though! Planning to come up for the whole day as not been to Shildon before.

 

Happy Birthday but you are getting it for free as you put it! Just remember, the event as a whole is not free, as the NRM / DSI is paid for by the taxpayers. 60008 & 60010 were kindly sponsored by third parties. Enjoy your day regardless.

 

I certainly hope to! I hope you see what I mean, though, I would feel a bit 'put out' on behalf of my family members

 

I'll be there Thursday

 

A few photos from today http://www.flickr.com/photos/iancawthorne/sets/72157641074392865/

Bittern was doing the shuttle, which, for me at least, turned out a blessing in disguise, opening up a gap to get a clear view of Dominion of Canada.

It was pretty busy, without doubt the busiest I've ever seen Shildon. I would be interested to hear what the visitor numbers were for the day and if it has been the busiest Shildon has ever had.

Definitely worth going to see. A totally different experience with them outside in natural light compared to inside at York. The number of people just added to the atmosphere IMO, and with a bit of patience, it was possible to get some reasonably clear photos.

 

Just under 11000 visitors yesterday and just over 15000 visitors today, most people had smiles on there faces which was great to see and "BITTERN" had some great runs on the shuttle. I am looking forward to the rest of the event.
(As someone once said "You carnt please all of the people all of the time" but the team at Locomotion are trying really hard to do just that!)

 

Hotel now booked (Thank you laterooms....), just need to borrow a DSLR now.

 

Pictures from Day 2: http://www.blackhatrailwaypictures.co.uk/p774121485

I echo Alans view that the staff at Shildon are doing all they can to please and help everyone who is visting this weekend and will make the journey over the coming weeks. I have seen the team in action, how they go out of their way to help visitors and enthusiasts alike. For such a group, I doubt you will find freindlier and more helpful staff anywhere, including the big brother NRM at York.

As for the day, the light and sunshine brought out the crowds. The engines are arranged in a staggered formation so that you can view them all, but also to protect the idea that seeing all 6 is something that some have paid for. While to some the £90 seems a lot, for whats on offer, the chance is unmissable. I think that there is a demand for it and that as a result preservation can gain revenue from enthusiasts wishing to enjoy the chances that these events create. Fact is that with everyone able to get digital cameras, many can enjoy the hobby, but it still needs and eye for framing and detail to make a good composed photograph. Today, as you do at such events, I heard all kinds of things mentioned. Such as they could have a cordon for photographers, that they could have a family day for them to visit instead, or that the line up of all 6 should be done for everyone not just those paying the money for the photoshoot.

Fact is that the something for nothing idea of preservation is what goes against the very nature of lines and museums survival. They need is to ride trains, buy books, tickets, cups of tea and generate income. Not turn up, phot and leave giving as little as possible. The NRM is unfairly targetted as it is the head body in which preservation is informally overseen. Everyone wants their engines to make the NRM list eventually of being key to rail heritage, but in doing so it still needs our support. Events like this are for all areas of society, from those that remember them, to families enjoying the occasion. Some wandered up close, but the photographers really got their chance when everyone started to ebb away and the sun was touching the horizon. Locomotion is right to have an event that is open to all, and that all are welcome at. If you want to take photos then enjoy the moment and be patient. I quite liked joking on to those there about someone walking into frame. Its part of the occasion. If you didnt want that hassle, then the 90 kwid solves that and thats a fair price for the chance and whats on offer.

Be happy the numbers are so large and that the event despite the weather is going so well. Hopefully, some buds are sewn for future interest in railways and that the sector gains new followers because of such a brilliant occasion!