Today’s video focusses on the Railway Touring Company (RYTC)’s “Edinburgh Flyer” tour, hauled by LMS Black 5 Class 4-6-0 No. 44871, with a rake of maroon WCRC Mk.2s! The tour started this morning at York, heading north up the ECML via Darlington, Newcastle and Berwick Upon Tweed before terminating in Edinburgh Waverley. After a few hours the tour returned to York via the same route. Due to the ongoing dispute over Central Door Locking (CDL), West Coast are still obliged to use Mk2 stock with only air braked locomotives, meaning 44871 is seeing a lot of use this year! The day would be blessed with some sunny weather (mostly in the afternoon) but I did decide to keep things fairly local as it was significantly cheaper to do so.
I started out from my local at 7:08 and headed down to Darlington. I was told by LNER staff that my tripod couldn’t be fully extended out, so I gave it as small a profile as possible and they seemed happy with that, so seen firstly is 44871 opening up through Darlington with a whistle, speeding up through Platform 4 under the lovely canopy to rejoin the ECML. Next up was boarding the 8:39 Transpennine Express service to Newcastle Central in the hope that 44871 would be looped for us at Birtley Junction as she was booked to do. Our train started receiving adverse signals just before Durham as we weren’t far behind her, and shortly afterwards 44871 was indeed looped at Birtley for us to pass through. My intention at Newcastle was to go to the Castle keep and attempt to film there again like I had for 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley in November 2023, but in the rush to leave the house this morning I forgot my ticket! I therefore had to settle with an arrival and a departure shot at Newcastle Central station from Platform 3. Thankfully the sun came out whilst she waited to be given the road North by Tyneside control, giving us some fantastic photos. A fairly loud departure ensued, after which I headed into the centre of Newcastle for some supplies. Good to chat with @urbanclixnflixwhilst in the centre!
Now to the evening, I walked out to a location I’ve not tried at Langley Moor Viaduct, not far after departure from Durham. 44871 accelerated over the viaduct in fine style against the darkening sky, actually significantly darker than I’d hoped as the train was running 15 late. I was very nearly bowled by a northbound late running XC Vomiter service! This finished a very fun and chilled out day.
Thanks to all who made today possible, including LNER, TPE and of course WCRC, RYTC, 44871 and her crew. I am extremely grateful to those who run these tours and keep these beautiful locomotives running. Thanks also to the weather and to my secondary planner as always for her help with locations and I hope she enjoys the presents I bought her in Newcastle! I hope you enjoy as I did.
17 май 2024
