60009

Chiming away from Hellifield this afternoon, a wave from Mr Cameron following soon after! Ran early enough to dodge the sun, as is the norm! Still, great to see her back out ready for the swan song.

 

60009 near Arkholme on the test run

David Price - Cop lane on flickr

 

60009 at Docker Park .

 

LNER A4 No.60009 'Union Of South Africa' on the 4th February 2020, hauling a loaded test run around the Carnforth Circuit, seen at Eldroth, Settle Junction, Hellifield, Gisburn Tunnel and Langho Tunnel.

Video Available Here

 

Loving the work worn appearance, I know something Mr Cameron prefers, as that is how he remembers her in her twilight on BR.

 

I feel the same way. One of my favourite trips was the Talisman on 15/09/18. What could be better than a work-stained A4 from King's Cross to Newcastle?

 

As mentioned in the WCME thread, No9 is down for the 28/3 run ! Potentially her last run over Shap & S&C ?

 

Twilight of No 9 at Bury 2 February 2020

The end is approaching of over forty years main line running by John Cameron’s Gresley A4 Pacific No 60009 Union of South Africa. It has been receiving attention by Rileys at Bury ahead of its last few main line runs before its ticket finally runs out in April.

Richard Newton of 3P20 Parcels Group arranged a night shoot just before N0 9 departed, and a gathering of hardy souls braved the wind and heavy showers to have a long last look. By happy coincidence the clouds parted to enable a heavenly body and an earthly masterpiece to be brought together in my favourite picture of this collection.

12 pictures are at https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p253293870

Peter on a sunny February morning in Manchester

https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p253293870

 

The sun shone this afternoon down here in the south of England as it did on the corresponding Saturday last year. I photographed 35028 Clan Line at Worplesdon with the British Pullman train in lovely lighting conditions. This particular pleasure nonetheless had a slight tinge of sadness as I recalled a year ago I was about a mile further up towards Woking and the loco in charge on that day was 60009 - its last ever run with the pullmans. Indeed, we will now never see it south of London again.

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U52064/2020-02-11/detailed
;
from Castleton on Tuesday, but from RTT it appears the move back from Carnforth after the test run was cancelled..

 

I believe that move you've linked from Realtime Trains is for No. 60103, in advance of it's Mid Hants Railway running.

No. 60009 is at Carnforth, awaiting a move to York before a booked job on 15th February.

 

60009 seen at Starricks Farm in howling wind.

 

Nice video. Saw her through Cononley, wind still howling and rain starting in earnest. Saw another brave soul on the platform end at Cononley Station but don't know if they are a Nat Pres member.

 

Footage of no.9 on its loaded test run around the Carnforth circle on 4th February:

 

Would anyone be able to give me a list of the tours 09 is rostered to do, as I've come down with a bug and tomorrow was the only time I knew I could see her before retirement. I know she's doing a trip on the 7th but are there any others. Thanks in advance

 

Nothing else listed or obvious.

 

My footage of No. 9 last tour down south roaring up Sapperton Bank and streaking through Eckington. Enjoy.

 

She's widely rumoured to be rostered for the WCME on 28th March. The possible Scotish farewell tour, promised by Tony Streeter in the Beano, doesn't look like it will materialise.

Presumably there will be a light-engine move from Carnforth (or perhaps ELR) to Fife around the start of April. I suppose someone could offer to pay the cost of adding 10 coaches behind the support coach and bringing them back, and sell the seats to the public, but it's probably too late to plan that now.

 

It's not out of the question that she could jump on the northern section of Great Britain, regardless of the already rostered locomotive's !

 

Wouldn't that be nice? Will she still be "in ticket"? I seem to recall that the boiler certificate extension runs out just too soon. Happy to be proved wrong though...