60009

It would appear that 60009 has got some boiler problems, and has been withdrawn with immediate effect. I've heard it from two different sources, but haven't seen anything official yet. But as it's meant to be withdrawn in 3 months time, I wouldn't have thought it would be worth carrying out any repairs.

 

I also heard the same rumours as well - something about a popped tube...

 

I hate to tell you that it is all over and this has been confirmed by someone on another forum (scot-rail.co.uk) who I believe may have been a member of the support crew. Very sad day but a huge thank you to John Cameron and the support team for looking after it over the years and giving myself and many others some happy memories.

 

Absolute shame to see it go. But as you say a massive thank you to John Cameron and his team for giving 60009 a fantastic few decades.

 

A sad day, but John Cameron deserves a massive thank you, not just for buying the loco all those years ago and running her all these years, but also for allowing 60009 to run a few more years longer and having the loco repaired when he could have retired her then and there.

Also a big thank you to those who've looked after the loco all these years too.

 

This is very disappointing to read, but as others have said, thank you to John Cameron for sharing not just UoSA, but also The Great Marquess. Hopefully we will see Number 9 again soon somewhere

 

A pity she wasn't given the send off as planned, no doubt which many were planning on attending, but having watched some recent videos, she did sound rather unhealthy and they seemed to be pushing her along as much as they could until she finally met her rest. John Cameron has always got the best out of No.9 wherever he's taken it, always been a friendly chap, waving to people from the firemans chair (I wonder how many have had his famous wave?) and sounding the always recogniseable chime whistle to crowds of people as she's steamed by. He has spent endless amounts to keep her running along with The Great Marquess and we should all be extremely greatful, however little we've seen his engines, and whether we agree or not of his decision to retire them, for all the work he's put into them.

Whether 60009 is now out of steam for good is anyone's guess, but for the long term, this has been her final chime.
So long old girl:

 

Absolutely gutted. Booked to see her off in December. Shouldn’t have left it so late!

 

Certainly provided me with plenty of good memories of her .

 

I had hoped to say goodbye to her at the ELR back in August, but she wasn't running as originally planned. Whether this was down to availability of support crew or her health I don't know - certainly the ELR staff didn't think she was too good even then. As others have mentioned, recent videos would indicate the old girl was being increasingly nursed along.

So as it happens, my last memory of her was a trip to Aberdeen in 2019, nudging 80mph down towards Laurencekirk, not a bad final memory to have and perhaps better than a 25mph trundle on heritage metals..

 

Just thought I would share these images as shortly after produced one of my best ever memories of no 9. She had not long been overhauled at Bridgnorth and was being used on service trains to run in. The SVR decided to run an impromptu 'Big Engine Day', the other loco being 6024. I think Taw Valley was also about! Not a bad non gala line up..
The Western had failed at Northwood Lane and number 9 was dispatched from Kidderminster to rescue it. The return run to Bridgnorth will live very long in the memory, around an hour late leaving we completed the entire length of the the line in around 40 minutes - the climb of Eardington was simply breathtaking, I have only heard her make that noise on the mainline. The acceleration simply phenomenal. We were only about 20 mins late on arrival!
I look back on this time fondly. I lived locally, spent many days on the SVR and according to my photos seemed to do a large number of mainline trips and other heritage line trips too. I must have had far more disposable income in my early 20's than I do now!
Many thanks John Cameron for the fantastic memories.
Now where are my pics of the Scottish Lowlander trip....

 

Just in case it really is the end of her ticket, here's a few shots of the inimitable Number 9.

Gresley A4 4-6-2 60009 'UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA' East Hyde by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

60009 'Union Of South Africa' Jubilee Requiem Sandy 25-10-2014 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

60009 'Union Of South Africa' Digswell Viaduct 14-12-2013 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

34081 '92 Squadron' 60009 'Union Of South Africa' Wansford NVR by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

 

I've shared by best photo of her already, but make no apologies for doing so again. Battledown Flyover in February 2003

I never got to travel behind her on the main line, but at least managed a round trip from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead and back when she visited the Bluebell Railway a few years back. Yes, we all owe a big debt of gratitude to John Cameron, but like others, I still feel sad that my favourite LNER engine has probably turned its wheels for the last time under its own power.

 

OK, to 2014 now and the best railtour I have ever done & number 9 was the star of the show! 3 locos in one day, around 500 miles and some fantastic running - The Scottish Lowlander had it all. The Duchess was limited to 60mph for some reason (suspect bearing?), so the run to Carlisle was competent, but sedate. Here 60009 took over and the fireworks began. A super climb of Beattock and once over the top speed began to climb, but we were then looped before anything magical could occur!
The Glasgow suburbs were fun though. Noisy and dashing across junctions, startling commuters. The run along the Dumfries line was special, stood at window with the A4 purring along in the 70's: a setting sun and incredible scenery that was all new to me (despite knowing Scotland well).
Galatea took us on from Carnforth and produced her own little cameo down towards Warrington!
An incredible day and dare I say unlikely to be repeated now.

 

My over riding memory of number 9 is many years ago at the east lancs I was the guard on a shuttle service between Bury and heywood with city of Truro and 3 mk1s. After Truro had run round and coupled on the other end we were held at heywood, the ro that day telling me we had a main liner coming in. Imagine my joy at having number 9 and support coach inch across the crossing and onto the back. Once coupled I walked back to her support coach to do the brake test.
When we arrived at Bury my grin was apparently huge according to a member of the platform staff. Those were great days.

 

Number Nine about to go out on a test run at the ELR earlier this year.
I think thanks are also due to the ELR shed staff and volunteers for keeping her going for the past few months.

 

I can well understand your smile. There is nothing quite like an A4.

 

I've often wondered if I crossed paths with Number 9 in the 60s when every family holiday included a few visits to the station at Stirling Perth or Gleneagles, or maybe in 64 when for a very short distance Dad paced an A4 leaving Forfar heading for Perth (A4 v Ford Anglia is really no contest).
Only 10 years later in 1974 Number 9 was my first view of post 68 main line steam in Scotland, at Stirling with the 'Rid Lichtie' of 11th May . Having only ever seen the A4s in Scotland for me the spiritual home has to be the route of the three hour expresses especially between Perth and Stirling. One of my favourite experiences has to be the rare (and supervised) chance to photograph the engine at Hilton Junction during the 1993 crew training runs.
As others have already said many thanks to John Cameron for all the great experiences over the years.

 

My tribute video of 60009 in action before she retired from main line duties:

 

Do we know what becomes of her now? Sitting at Bury for a bit or moving elsewhere? Obviously it's early days so may not have been decided yet.