It has been a long wait, but today was the first passenger carrying steam train to pass through York for some months. The service was one of the regular summer Scarborough Spa Express runs. This year the service starts from Carnforth in Lancashire and is hauled to York by a vintage diesel locomotive, before the change to a steam locomotive just south of York railway station. The train then continues steam hauled to Scarborough.
Today's locomotive carried the number 45562 and the name Alberta, but it is really 45699 Galatea. I don't know why the long lost locomotive Alberta was being commemorated in this way, but the real Alberta went to a scrapyard in the 1960s.
This year the service runs into platform 4 at York railway station, a far more awkward route to get a decent shot of than platform 5 which was used in previous routes. This view was taken through a forest of signals and electrification masts as the train approached the station from the south.
Were you at NRM when Mallard was joined by his international “siblings?” I went several times. When I grow up I want to be a steam engine driver, Mallard especially. They always tell me if I can get him in my handbag I can take him home....
Aren’t we lucky to have such wonderful and historical steam engines visit us?
Yes Jesika, I was at the Mallard reunion, and took loads of photos. That always happens when I get near steam locomotives, especially if they are working. My ambition when I grow up is to be a designer for Lego - very theraputic after a bad day!
Aren’t we lucky to have such wonderful and historical steam engines visit us?
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Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
And yes there was a shower of rain as it approached the railway station, but I was stood in a sheltered place to take this photo.
Ian
Yes Jesika, I was at the Mallard reunion, and took loads of photos. That always happens when I get near steam locomotives, especially if they are working. My ambition when I grow up is to be a designer for Lego - very theraputic after a bad day!
Ian
Thank you both - it was good to have chance to get photos of this lovely loocomotive.
Ian
Thank you - the big child in me loves to see these!
Ian