Steam Dreams by fishers

Steam Dreams

Arriving at York railway station, 'Bittern' has brought in a twelve coach special train from London. There were lots of camera carrying enthusiasts to greet it. This is one of several such specials in the lead up to Christmas, so hopefully I will get chance to see more such arrivals.

York usually has numerous steam hauled specials throughout the year, but this year there have been substantially fewer, so this is the first time for several months that I've been able to get shots of a steam train here.

'Bittern' played a leading role in the Mallard 75 event last year, when the 75th anniversary of the world steam locomotive speed record, set by 'Mallard' was celebrated. Normally steam locomotives are limited to 75 mph, but as part of that event this locomotive ran at over 90 mph - an amazing sight.

Steam Dreams is the name of the company which organised today's special, so a big thank you to them for arranging the event.

Ian
A lovely shot of such a polished beauty.
December 4th, 2014  
Great looking engine a nice shot with all the steam
December 4th, 2014  
Lovely shot, like all the steam.
December 4th, 2014  
Great shot, love the light and steam.
December 4th, 2014  
Nice capture with the steam
December 4th, 2014  
I loved that Mallard engine. This reminds me of a train book my father gave me just after WW2,
December 4th, 2014  
Great shot of this lovely steam train. To show how I like those, beside many more books, I`m the owner of the first technical (learn) book for the steam train engineers in Holland. Publish in 1898 .
December 4th, 2014  
Lots of steam surrounds this engine and quite a crowd too.
December 4th, 2014  
Great capture, especially with all that steam.
December 4th, 2014  
Sleek looking locomotive. Fabulous capture. Hope you get to see many more. Fav
December 4th, 2014  
Great steam and love the polish of the engine. Looks like a fantastic event!
December 5th, 2014  
Beautiful capture of a beautiful steam engine, the steam adds to the atmosphere.
December 5th, 2014  
Wonderful shot.when I arrived in Witham in the mid 60s I came on a steam train!
December 6th, 2014  
Lee
I've just gotta try and get some shots of a steam train. good shot Ian.
December 7th, 2014  
@dide

Thank you Dianne - most of these privately preserved steam engines receive lots of tender loving care from their owners!

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@bkbinthecity

Thank you Brian - I feel I've really missed out this year because there have been so few steam specials!

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@lhart

Thank you Lynne - all the steam could have been it sighing with relief after it's 200 mile trip!

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@busylady

Thank you Judith - I was pleased with the result on such a dull grey day.

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@kimcrisp

Thank you Kim - it's quite a while since my last chance to see a steam locomotive at work.

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@ivan

Thank you Ivan - Mallard herself hasn't worked for quite a few years, but there is a dirty sooty patch on the station roof at York, near the footbridge on platform 5, where she left her mark in the late 1980's!

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@pyrrhula

Thank you Ferry - I think your book would be very interesting to read. It's fascinating to learn about the development of such interesting machines.

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@bruni

Thank you Bruni - the steam specials do draw quite a crowd.

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@dolphin

Thank you Molly - it was rather a dull day for steam train photos, but it's quite a while since I last took shots of one I just had to be there in the crowd!

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@tonydebont

Thank you Tony, and thank you for the fav. There are another four due before Christmas, so weather (and Christmas shopping) permitting I will be trying to get shots of some of them!

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@kt8ird

Thank you Kate - there was quite a crowd there, despite the dull conditions.

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@paulaw

Thank you Paula - it's such fun taking photos of these graceful machines!

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@ceilidh

Thank you Margaret - I too have vivid memories of steam. In the mid 1960's I went on a train from Sheffield into Derbyshire by steam train, and as we climbed through Totley Tunnel there were showers of sparks and steam passing our carriage window.

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
@gamelee

Thank you Lee - I can recommend the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' as an excellent route for photos. There are some winter trips and weekly runs throughout the summer. Details can be found at http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/winter-cumbrian-mountain-express-2 and a link to detailed timings can be found at http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs15.htm#jan close to the date of the particular tour.

Ian
December 7th, 2014  
Great shot Ian - fav
December 9th, 2014  
Great shot! Never seen steam train before
December 11th, 2014  
@pjr

Thank you Pete, and thank you for the fav!

Ian
December 14th, 2014  
@juliac

Thank you Julia - if you've never seen a steam locomotive at work, you've missed a beautiful and inspiring sight. We are very fortunate in York that there are quite a lot of steam hauled special trains, although sadly not very many this year.

Ian
December 14th, 2014  
Interesting photo and text.
January 6th, 2015  
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