60007 Sir Nigel Gresley Kings X - York | 44871 The Cheshireman - Fast Line Steam! Sat 2nd March 2024

#steam #train #ecml
Saturday 2nd March would see Steam Dreams opening railtour of 2024, a traditional sprint up the ECML from London Kings Cross to York and return. In fact that day would see three railtours in the south with the Railway Touring Company also running one of their traditional tours 'The Cheshireman' from London Euston to Chester and return, and Vintage Trains running 'The Cathedrals Express' from Tysley to Salisbury and return. Work commitments would prevent me from travelling out to see 7029 on the Salisbury tour, but I was able to see the outward leg of the York tour and the return of both that tour and 'The Cheshireman', with both returns unsually being routed on the fast line as they approached London.
We start with Steam Dreams London Kings Cross to York tour, running direct up the ECML calling at Welwyn Garden City, Huntingdon and Peterborough (the return would be via Lincoln). In charge would be A4 no.60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley'. Two cameras are set up at the north end of the down platform at Welwyn North and we see 'Sir Nigel Gresley' working hard through the station in front of the usual big crowd, getting away from the Welwyn Garden City pick up and heading north.
Next its the return leg of the Railway Touring Company 'The Cheshireman' running from London Euston to Chester and return via the WCML with Black 5 no.44871 in charge. We head over to the WCML and Apsley for the rare site of main line steam on the fast line, two cameras are set up and we see 44871 pass through at speed on the last leg of the return to London Euston.
Finally its back to the ECML and Brookmans Park, for another rare site, main line steam on the fast line on the southern end of the ECML. 'Sir Nigel Gresley' was due to switch to the fast line after the Welwyn Garden City set down, however late running Azuma's meant she stayed on the slow on departure and it was starting to look like she might stay that way. Thankfully with websites like Open Train Times and the map feature I was able to track her progress and having decided to stay set up on the fast lines anyway thankfully she was switched to the fast at Marshmoor Crossover just south at Hatfield and two cameras see 'Sir Nigel Gresley' storm through the station on the fast line accelerating away on the final leg towards London.
Photos...
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[@basictraincontent]

Great capture. I caught the Sir Nigel Gresley at Welwyn North aswell

[@alts1985]

Thank you! Will have a look at your video.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Brillaint video! I saw them at Euston and Kings Cross.

[@alts1985]

Thanks Henry, was nice having both on the same day!

[@YorkshireMalsTrains]

Enjoyed your video a lot, well worth getting wet for my fav steam loco a A4, i was lucky enough to walk through SNG's tender and ride on the footplate for a few miles at NYMR so have a soft spot for the beauty, i have subscribed...Mal

[@alts1985]

Very kind thank you! I do like Sir Nigel, was lucky enough to see quite a bit of her last year and had a nice ride behind her on the NYMR last Autumn. All the best Ashley