Today was the long awaited first passenger carrying main line run by the steam locomotive 'Flying Scotsman', following a restoration project that has lasted for around 10 years and cost around 4.2 million pounds. Here the crowds lean forward as the locomotive enters the platform from the south.
An excellently organised event with the station announcer keeping the crowds informed of progress, and platform staff keeping them back from the platform edge.
Wow- what a lot of people. We managed to see it along with about two hundred people spread across a field. not far from here. there was plenty of room for all but some people stood to near the tracks. I expect they had a long wait as it was at my local station of St. Neots where the 'trespassers' caused the train to be delayed - not guilty!
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs. Sorry to have kept you waiting, but Flying Scotsman actually appears in my posting for today. Amazing to see her at work after a wait of 10 years - even the 50 minute late arrival in York didn't dampen the party atmosphere amongst the crowds on the station. I should add that the delay wasn't due to the locomotive or Network Rail, but due to trespassers too close to the tracks in at least two locations en route.
How excited everyone is to see the arrival! I was in the crowd watching the relaunch of the Canadian ship, Bluenose, and I know that kind of excitement after waiting so long!
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs. Sorry to have kept you waiting, but Flying Scotsman actually appears in my posting for today. Amazing to see her at work after a wait of 10 years - even the 50 minute late arrival in York didn't dampen the party atmosphere amongst the crowds on the station. I should add that the delay wasn't due to the locomotive or Network Rail, but due to trespassers too close to the tracks in at least two locations en route.
Ian
Thank you Louise and Ken - there was certainly a party atmosphere!
Ian