60103 Flying Scotsman takes on the lickey incline | The Worcester Christmas Express - 13.12.23

Hauling her last railtour in her centenary year, 60103 Flying Scotsman took charge of Railway Touring Companies "Worcester Christmas Express" from Cambridge to Worcester via Ely, Peterborough, Leicester and Nuneaton.
The route would require the A3 to tackle the steep continuous 1 in 37.7 grade from Bromsgrove to Barnt Green, known famously as the lickey incline. While many were successful in getting the A3 on this historic run, the same can't be said for yours truly. On the outward journey, the train is captured at Longbridge nearing the end of the journey, as best as can be seen with a Class 323 partially blocking the view. Having commited to the shot thinking I was in the clear, Scotsman unexpectedly lost more time at Kings Norton and perfectly timed her passing with the unit in the platform.
For the return journey, I setup at Bromsgrove at the base of the lickey incline around an hour before Scotsman was due. As the minutes rolled by more and more people turned up, but I was positioned as such where the crowds wouldn't be a problem (those that chose to adhere to the yellow line that is...), however unbeknown to me, an MPV was due to block the view on the opposite platform right as Scotsman was due, and with the crowds now in force, the only option was the station bridge. My therefore much less than impressive shot shows Scotsman taking a charge at the bank in the setting sun, whistling to the onlookers as she heads for the lickey. Can't win 'em all!
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[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Magnificent Thomas I caught that loco twice at stoke works junction

[@allan5919]

Despite the obstacles, still a worth while video. 👍👍

[@themodster]

Thanks Allan. Thomas

[@SimonTog]

Nice video Thomas :)

[@themodster]

Thanks Simon

[@FastlineFilms]

Nice video! You can hear the 47 on the back doing all the work.

[@themodster]

Thanks. It was expected the 47 would be on full wack at Bromsgrove, you can't expect the A3 to take 11 coaches and a dead diesel, but you equally can't expect the 47 to push 11 coaches and a dead steam engine. It was a joint effort from both locos, rather than one doing all the work.

[@boomerang4864]

Don’t agree. The FC is doing all the work

[@user-ie5ro8fn3i]

Hi Thomas ,Great video.....Dave 😊👍👍👍🚂🚃☃⛄🎄🎄

[@themodster]

Cheers Dave.