Taken just over a week ago, this shot shows the locomotive Bahamas passing under the footbridge at York railway station on it's way to the National Railway Museum where it can receive a top-up of water and coal, and a brief rest before it's return trip. At the same time it's coaches were taken to Holgate sidings to be prepared for their return journey.
Bahamas had brought a special service from Ealing Broadway in London by a rather meandering route to York. Following the summer steam excursions this is a relatively quiet time for steam specials, until the Christmas market specials begin in mid November, so I was quite pleased to be able to see this one.
This locomotive was built as a standard member of the Jubilee Class in 1934 by the North British Locomotive Company for the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS). It was named Bahamas. Many locomotives of this type were named after parts of the British Empire. Most of it's working life was spent in the north of England. In May 1961, under the ownership of British Railways, Bahamas was the recipient of several experimental modifications aimed at improving the steam engine. In July 1966, Bahamas was withdrawn from traffic. A preservation society was founded and raised the money to purchase it from British Rail to prevent it from being scrapped. After repairs by the Hunslet Engine Company in Leeds, Bahamas was transported to Dinting Railway Museum, near Glossop, Derbyshire, since at that time steam locomotives were not allowed to work excursions on the national network.
After the ban on main line steam locomotive working ended, Bahamas was one of the locomotives chosen to run on the national rail network. In October 1972, Bahamas hauled its first excursion special, proving there was public demand. A year later, it was removed from service when its boiler certificate expired. In 1988, it returned to steam after overhaul. It was withdrawn from mainline use after its ticket expired. Between 1997 and 2013, Bahamas alternated between public displays and storage, as part of which it spent time in the National Railway Museum in York. Another overhaul began during 2013 and the locomotive returned to mainline operations in early 2019.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
So now I need to investigate what steam specials are bringing visitors to York for the Christmas market, which starts in around 3 weeks time!
Ian
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Thank you Nina. These engines were regularly used on express passenger trains when I was a youngster!
Ian
Thank you Carrie - there are quite a few steam locomotive shots spread through our project!
Ian
Thank you Vesna - I love taking photos of steam locomotives.
Ian