Steam Dreams 2022

Got lucky again tonigh after a good pass through Welwyn North this morning, the Hull trains unit ran to time and a four minute late departure from Stevenage meant 'Sir Nigel Gresley' already had the road for the twin track section by Knebworth so powered through at speed, working hard with a lovely chime whistle. Welwyn North and Knebworth...

 

Weather was bloody awful in this part of the world this morning (some of us had to cycle to work in it!)
Fair play to you for going out to capture 4498, thankyou!
Also nice one whoever quartered those buffers

 

First public run in over seven years and back at the cross!




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Why am I reminded of the ‘Deltic Scotsman’ scenes from 1982 in this photo?

 

I spy myself in that shot from Will, there was certainly a good crowd to greet No7 back to the Cross. I just got in from an enjoyable trip (not that the weather would let us see much out the window!), although I was in one of the Mk2's so couldn't hear much of the loco. Considering how much delay there was at York prior to departure, we did well to get back to time or at least only be a few minutes late back into Kings Cross.

Also nice to finally have a trip behind SNG, and actually be able to remember it as my last was when I was around 2/3, even though I've seen the loco multiple times since.

 

Damn it looks really good in black, I know its a bugger to keep black looking that good, but it's such a pity it's going to be changed.

 

A challenging chase in the weather we had yesterday but still great to see the A4 back on its home turf! Caught at Peakirk, Ryther, Colton Jn, Peterborough and Tempsford:

 

Those of us who put our hands in our pockets to support her, voted for BR Blue, which is her USP.

Not knowing the furore that would ensue with her being in undercoat!!!!

 

Blue was a USP when there were two other A4s in service...

 

And repeating it was voted for by her members, those who contribute to her upkeep, so blue is the colour she is going, soon..

 

And how many other locos are in service that wear BR blue now?
Not only was it a democratic choice, it’s going to look the nuts when charging around with a rake of Saphos stock.
On a personal level I believe BR blue annoys a certain ex head of Special Trains who lives the other side of where I live who’s rather entrenched in his views so I’m all for that.

 

I think A4's look best in blue and although LNER Garter Blue is my personal favourite of them, I do like the BR Express Blue too and look forward to it being carried again, but I must confess that it was the Wartime Black that convinced me to do the tour and 4498 does look very good in it.

I did pick up a copy of The Overhaul Picture from the sales team onboard the train, on the way up and looks to be a very good read. There certainly seemed to be some good trade in the coach I was in, so hopefully that was the case with the rest of the train.

 

It's a democratic choice true, but also unimaginative. Bit like painting locos in BR green when there are other liveries. I'd also wager that when SNG was blue the first time, wouldn't the coaches more likely have been repainted Gresleys anyway?

Isn't there a King in blue?

However, I'm not a member of the trust so have no direct say, other than the current livery is causing people to come out to see it and ride behind it because it's different.

Anyway, this is becoming another livery debate and the best place for it is in the "liveries" thread.

 

I'm not fussed about the livery and think the black finish has grown on me. Most of all, great to see a Gresley masterpiece back where it belongs. And congratulations to the alliance between the two parties with this trip. Best wishes for the future....

 

So Wardy wouldn’t like these images?

 

Probably!

 

TBH never thought we would see a porterbrook steam loco, now we have one......

 

4498 Sir Nigel Gresley at Peterborough, in the evening, on the return run of the Steam Dreams charter to York. Late running Azumas delayed the pathing-stop departure such that a 12-coach unit came and blocked platform 1 - obscuring the intended video position and hence the last minute improvisation. This has always been a great location for steam after dark, especially in the rain(!) - but Gresley's presence was immensely magical!

 

Yes, just like during WW2, eh?!

 

I had always thought it only carried the lettering NE while in wartime black, not the full LNER. Looks fine as a basic no-nonsense livery. Given it's only going to have a short time in black, it would be realistic to let it get filthy!