LNER The Transition Years Theme Day - Sunday 12 October

The East Lancashire Railways visiting steam engine, Gresley A4 Pacific, ‘Union of South Africa’, allows for the opportunity to compare notes with its direct replacement; Deltic diesel locomotive D9009 ‘Alycidon’. These locomotives were built to haul the heavy Anglo-Scottish expresses along the famous London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley.

The LNER was one of the “Big Four” Railway Companies formed during the 1923 Grouping Act in Britain. As such it barely lasted 25 years, but in this time left a prestigious mark in British railway history. Even today, the LNER’s Gresley Pacifics are synonymous with speed and luxury. Having two iconic locomotives working side by side will be a very special moment.

Also featuring throughout the day will be the Gresley K4 locomotive ‘The Great Marquess’ adding into the mix the kind of steam locomotive that was used for smaller passenger trains in Scotland as well as further afield.

60009 ‘Union of South Africa’ is an LNER Class A4 steam locomotive that was built in Doncaster in 1937. Built for the LNER and originally numbered 4488, it was named after the then newly formed Union of South Africa. Although it had previously been allocated the name “Osprey” on 17 April 1937, when it came out of the paint shop on 29 June, it had been renamed. “Osprey” name plates were fitted to the locomotive during the 1980s and early 1990s due to the politics of the time. Its name has since reverted to ‘Union of South Africa’.

Our season long visiting diesel locomotive was named at Doncaster Works on July 21st 1961 before introduction to traffic, D9009 maintained the ‘racehorse’ tradition of the LNER by commemorating the winner of the 1949 Ascot Gold Cup. Based at Finsbury Park in North London, Alycidon was one of eight ‘racehorse’ Deltics stabled there. In May 1981, she moved to York after the closure of Finsbury Park and was one of four Deltics prepared to work a series of farewell railtours during their final six months of operation. Her final outing in BR service was on January 2nd 1982 as standby locomotive for the ‘Deltic Scotsman Farewell’.

Union of South Africa will be hauling one round trip in the morning before taking its place on our prestige Lancastrian Lunch dining train and Cream Tea service. Tickets for this are still available can be booked online.

Timetable information will be posted on our website in due course.

 

What date is this actually taking place, please?

 

The clue is in the title!

 

Doh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I was actually confused by where but I think I have worked it out!

(Didn't know an A4 would fit on the Foxfield! )

Steven