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Capital DuchessStanier Pacific 46223 Duchess of Sutherland visited London quite a few times during the first half of 2014. My first sighting of the Duchess on the main line in its Brunswick Green livery was at West Brompton on the Cathedrals Explorer. With the train being held at before attacking the West Coast Main Line, a chance to jump ahead of the locomotive via the West London Line and Bakerloo loo, was taken and I managed to capture the Duchess racing through Harrow and Wealdstone station. (Video left).
On 28th June 2014, the Duchess ran into Euston for the first time in preservation on the head of a Vintage Trains tour, The Midlander. This was captured below. On the same day and in the same video 44932 ran a Cathedrals Express, which I managed to see at Gospel Oak. Shortly afterwards the diesel on the rear piloted the train for the remanned of the day dues to issues with the Black Five. |
Britannia hauled the Cathedrals Express on 15th March 2014, which included its route running over the North London Line. It is seems here leaving Camden Road Junction, through Kentish Town, which at the time was only a short walk from were I was living. (Video right).
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Welsh MountaineerMy main line steam sightings this year have had a very LMR feel, and on Tuesday 19th August, it was no different with 8F 48151 on the Welsh Mountaineer from Preston to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
I first caught sight of the train arriving and running round at Chester, before catching it arriving and departing from its tender first run through Rhyl. Catching the Arriva service to Llandudno Jct I manage to catch the locomotive run round and depart, before visiting Bodnant Gardens. I then caught the return in evening light through Abergele and Pensarn. |
The Cheshireman'sTwo railtours ran to Chester on 22nd November 2014. One originated from Bristol and was hauled by Ian Riley's pair of Black Fives 44871 and 45407 (which terminated at Crewe), while A4 Bittern came up the West Coast Main Line.
I caught up with the two specials while they made their ways between Crewe and Chester in beautiful conditions. |
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