Today marks the first of four days of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Autumn Gala. Traditionally there are visiting locomotives from other preserved steam railways. The centre of attention this year is the locomotive 'Sir Nigel Gresley'. Here it is entering Pickering railway station, surrounded by adoring fans.
The locomotive has only recently returned to use after a major overhaul. As a regular performer on the main line, this locomotive has just had a major overhaul after the expiry of it's 10 year boiler certificate, without which it couldn't be used. The overhaul started in 2015, in York at the National Railway Museum, with the final part completed at Crewe, after the York museum closed it's workshop. There were lots of reasons for the long overhaul, including Covid-19, and problems obtaining suitable material to make replacement parts.
Normally in a blue colour scheme, it was temporarily repainted with a protective coat of black paint when it was transfered from York to Crewe to finish it's overhaul. That proved quite popular so for now it remains painted black.
As you can see, it was a very popular sight this afternoon. It's dearture shortly after this was with a very crowded set of coaches.
One I thought you might recognize!
Ian
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
I'm glad I went yesterday to see this, before the large influx of visitors over the weekend. It was already quite crowded, as you can see.
Ian
Thank you Nina, it is a wonderful event - and I was fortunate to see someone helping there who I worked with before retirement.
Ian
Thank you Paul. It was a good day out with lots of photos taken!
Ian