| Saturday 23rd July 2005 saw the re-arranged "Talisman" trip finally take place from London Kings Cross to Darlington, hauled by 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' in place of the original loco 60009 'Union of South Africa'.
On the Friday evening, my grandad Wilf, my friend Steve and I, ventured up to London and stayed in a hotel (If it could've been called a hotel!) to save ourselves an early drive up from the south coast on the Saturday morning. A 6:30am departure time saw us arrive at the station about 5:40 where a coffee and a rather nice apple danish made the early start worthwhile and put us in good stead for the events ahead. Steves friend Marcus joined us at Peterbrough and some great running north delighted us all as the countryside flew past us outside. On arrival at Darlington we caught a bus to the Darlington Railway Centre & Museum to see A1 'Tornado' being built by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. Once finished it will certainly be a superb locomotive and full credit to those making the venture possible and it already looks very impressive now. After seeing 'Tornado', a quick dash down the ECML on a Virgin Voyager saw us meet up with a couple a friends of mine, Ian and Matt at York. After a fine brew made by Steve, a look around Ian's loco 45407 and then a guided tour round the National Railway Museum and we saw some interesting sights to say the least! Anyway, time flies when your having fun as the saying goes and it was soon time to pick the train back up and the return back to Kings Cross and what a dash south it was. An impressive trip was finished off superbly by the crew who certainly gave their all and did a fine job on 6233 in getting us home in fine style and at times very quickly too, especially through Finsbury Park! A super trip and one that will certainly be worth repeating in the future and once again, a big pat on the back to all those people who made the trip possible, Super job!!! |
6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' at Kings Cross. 800x600 Pic_0384.jpg |
London Kings Cross. 640x480 Pic_0386.jpg |
"6233" 640x480 Pic_0387.jpg |
Duchess of Sutherland awaits departure time whilst grandad speaks to the driver, Bill Andrews. 800x600 Pic_0389.jpg |
Firebox of 6233. 640x480 Pic_0390.jpg |
Driver Bill Andrews "in the seat". 800x600 Pic_0391.jpg |
Controls of 6233. 800x600 Pic_0392.jpg |
How much on the clock? 640x480 Pic_0393.jpg |
6233 pulls us away from York. 800x600 Pic_0394.jpg |
Blk 5 '45407' in the National Railway Museum. 800x600 Pic_0395.jpg |
6233 starting to get into her stride once again. 800x600 Pic_0396.jpg |
The first piece of 'Tornado' on view. 800x600 Pic_0397.jpg |
More connecting rods. 800x600 Pic_0398.jpg |
Where do these pieces go again? 800x600 Pic_0399.jpg |
The cab of 'Tornado', cab seats already in place. 800x600 Pic_0400.jpg |
A wider view of the cab. 800x600 Pic_0402.jpg |
The reverser of 60163, grandad looks on. 480x640 Pic_0403.jpg |
The firemans side driving wheels. 800x600 Pic_0404.jpg |
And onto the right hand cylinder. 800x600 Pic_0405.jpg |
Looking back to the cab. 800x600 Pic_0406.jpg |
"Tornado" 800x600 Pic_0407.jpg |
The front end of 60163. 800x600 Pic_0408.jpg |
Something to look forward to in the near future. 600x800 Pic_0409.jpg |
Another view of 60163. 800x600 Pic_0410.jpg |
"The Talisman" 800x600 Pic_0411.jpg |
J72 69023 'Joem' 800x600 Pic_0412.jpg |
Front view of 69023 being restored by the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group. 480x640 Pic_0413.jpg |
A sad site but not for long hopefully. 800x600 Pic_0414.jpg |
The history of 60163's frames. 640x480 Pic_0415.jpg |
Further parts of the motion. 800x600 Pic_0416.jpg |
Detailed plans on display. 600x800 Pic_0417.jpg |
A view of the drivers side of 'Tornado'. 800x600 Pic_0418.jpg |
Its missing something? Cant think what though...... 600x800 Pic_0419.jpg |
Blk 5 45407 at the NRM on standby for the Scarborough trips. 45407 wasnt in light steam as it had been during the week. 800x600 Pic_0420.jpg |
45407's cab from the drivers view. 800x600 Pic_0421.jpg |
Another shot of the footplate. 600x800 Pic_0422.jpg |
