On 3rd July I uploaded a collage of the 75th anniversary of the locomotive 'Mallard' setting a world speed record for a steam locomotive, and commented that I would be back to the display a few days later, in the hope that the crowds would be smaller, so I could get some shots of the individual locomotives.
Well, Lucy and I went back, and the crowds were just as big! We had deliberately waited until after 4:30pm in the hope that people would be on their way home. We didn't leave until 5:50pm, but still the crowds persisted. Apparently there have been an average of 10,000 visitors per day, five times the normal average. This makes the naming of this event Great Gathering very appropriate!
We found ourselves a viewpoint on the gallery and got shots over the crowds towards two of the A4 locomotives in the special exhibition.
The two locomotives in this shot, both of the same design as 'Mallard', have their own interesting histories.
On the left is 'Sir Nigel Gresley' in its early 1950s blue livery, and named after the engineer who designed these locomotives. It holds the post war speed record for steam in the UK, having achieved 112 mph in 1959. It is now privately owned and normally works on the North York Moors Railway between Pickering and Grosmont.
On the right is 'Dwight D Eisenhower', named after the American war hero. It is painted in 1960s British Railways green livery. When taken out of service it was sent to the National Railroad Museum, Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. It was brought back to the UK for this exhibition and was cosmetically restored before being put on display here. It will be returning to Wisconsin in 2014.
I would not expect such big crowds! Wow! I have never seen any of those "later" steam engines. They are so low and sleek looking. This was a very interesting post!
Always crowds among steam engines. Perhaps you could capture them being backed out after the show, those that are going back home. Would they be steamed-up? Maybe the crowds are less in the early morning? Nice vantage point you found from the gallery! Great story.
Thank you MaryBeth - this exhibition has been a great success. The locomotives were originally built in the 1930s, so they have a very art deco style, and are really attractive when at work.
Thank you Bob - this is one of the most successful special exhibitions ever held at the museum, and attendance records are being broken. Mornings aren't good to shoot here because before the official opening of the museum there is a photographers event at £35 (about $50) which has been fully booked, and queues are already waiting to get in when that finishes. One of them is due to haul a special train from York next Friday, so I will be at the railway station with my camera for that!
( I do taken a lot of potato field pic.`s. They are very beautiful)
Thank you Gill - it was nice to see such interest, but it means I still haven't got the locomotive shots I really wanted!
Ian
Thank you Padlock - sadly we don't have room for a model railway here!
Ian
Thank you Ferry - I'm hoping to get some shots in a few days when one of them is pulling a special train.
Ian
Thank you Therese - it's amazing how popular this exhibition has been, and I thought this captured the excitement quite well!
Ian
Thank you MaryBeth - this exhibition has been a great success. The locomotives were originally built in the 1930s, so they have a very art deco style, and are really attractive when at work.
Ian
Thank you Bob - this is one of the most successful special exhibitions ever held at the museum, and attendance records are being broken. Mornings aren't good to shoot here because before the official opening of the museum there is a photographers event at £35 (about $50) which has been fully booked, and queues are already waiting to get in when that finishes. One of them is due to haul a special train from York next Friday, so I will be at the railway station with my camera for that!
Ian
Thank you Tony, and thank you for the fav! I hope to get some shots of one of these locomotives at work later in the week.
Ian
Thank you Brian - it's an event with a great atmosphere, so I might pay another visit before it finishes on Wednesday!
Ian
Thank you Jacqui - it was very busy but there was a great atmosphere there!
Ian
Thank you Netkonnexion - hopefully shots of one of them at work at the end of the week!
Ian
Thank you Michelle - it's been an interesting and popular exhibition!
Ian