Making it's first appearance in the North West since returning to steam two years earlier, LNER A4 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' kicked off the 2024 season of The Fellsman. The usual route was tweaked a little bit to be as similar as possible to the route taken by 60007 on it's inaugural run in preservation. In April 1967, as 4498, Sir Nigel ran down the WCML from Crewe to Carlisle and back over the S&C then via Blackburn to rejoin the WCML at Farington Jn. Compared to the standard Fellsman itinerary of out and back over the Settle and Carlisle, the northbound run was along the WCML over Shap, with the return following the S&C.
Throughout the day, 'Sir Nigel Gresley' was sporting a commemorative headboard. On 23rd of May 1959, 60007 set the Post War World Speed Record for steam at 112mph whilst descending Stoke Bank, working The Stephenson Jubilee railtour back from Doncaster to Kings Cross. 23rd of May 2024 marked the 65th anniversary of the record run, so a nearly identical headboard, with modified dates to suit the anniversary, was fitted to the loco to mark the occasion.
Starting at a very wet Runcorn East between Frodsham and Warrington, the A4 is first seen accelerating away from the passenger pickup at Frodsham. Bursting out of Halton tunnel in a cloud the steam, the loco charges towards the station at 54mph with a short but urgent blast on the whistle. Racing through the rain, the engine steams through the station, whisking the 12 coach train on to Warrington for the next passenger pickup. Managing the camera, tripod and umbrella here was quite a challenge!
Next came Shap Wells. Excluding the light engine move to Heaton six weeks earlier, this would be the loco's first northbound ascent of Shap Fell since 1997. Sir Nigel's exhaust plume can be seen at Scout Green as the train emerges from the cutting, half way along the 1-in-75 climb. Passing the small gallery at Salterwath, the noise from the chimney becomes evident. The sound grows stronger as 60007 closes in on Shap Wells at 38.1mph, an impressive performance given the weight of the train and limited assistance from Class 47 D1924 'Crewe Diesel Depot' at the rear.
Due to flooding on the S&C, it was a bit uncertain until the train left Carlisle whether it would return via Shap or Ais Gill. The line was reopened in time for the original path to be followed and we next catch up with the A4 at Birkett Common. On the long 1-in-100 gradient to Ais Gill, the loco puts in another good performance, emerging from under the bridge in puff of steam at 34mph. The wind beats the steam down the side of the train as it tackles the steep gradient. D1924 was providing a little assistance at this point.
Following the water stop at Long Preston, Sir Nigel is next seen at Whalley Arches, the foot of Wilpshire Bank's 1-in-82. The train was signal checked at Whalley station meaning the train would have a stiff climb ahead of it from a standing start with a bit of mizzle creating a wet rain, compromising adhesion. The staccato exhaust reverberates across the valley as the A4 gets into its stride. After crossing the viaduct, the crew provide a whistle for the foot crossing ahead. Unsurprisingly, D1924 was assisting here to ensure the train didn't stall on the climb to Wilpshire Summit.
Lastly the train is seen at Winwick Jn. The wind and rain had made a return just to make life difficult as 60007 lurches across from the fast to the slow line at the junction. Unfortunately the crew open up just after the bridge so we see the train coasting through the rain at 48mph under the bridge as it prepares for the next passenger drop off at Warrington.
A bit of an anti-climax but overall an excellent, if very long day, with a fantastic performance from 'Sir Nigel Gresley' over Shap!
Timestamps:
00:00 - Runcorn East
01:08 - Shap Wells
03:42 - Birkett Common
05:09 - Whalley Arches
07:17 - Winwick Jn
Filmed on a Panasonic HC-X1500 with an AudioTechnica AT8024 micrphone.
Enjoy.