A4 Locomotive, completely awe stricken!

[Rhyolith]

I have been volunteering with the steam crew on the MNR (Mid-Norfolk Railway).

Last week there was a rather special visitor in the form of an A4 Locomotive (which is what the Mallard was for those who don't know). I think this is the first time I have seen a "big" steam locomotive in steam and defiantly the first time (and possibly the last ) that I have seen a A4 in action. I has completely in awe of it, such a beautiful machine! =P~

Anyway thought a few people here might appreciate some pictures (if you weren't there yourselves).

A4 Class Locomotive "Union of South Africa" by Rhyolith, on Flickr

A4 Class Locomotive "Union of South Africa" by Rhyolith, on Flickr

A4 Class Locomotive "Union of South Africa" by Rhyolith, on Flickr

A4 Class Locomotive "Union of South Africa" by Rhyolith, on Flickr

A4 Class Locomotive "Union of South Africa" by Rhyolith, on Flickr

So I am officially jealous of everyone who got to ride on the foot plate and even more so of the owners of "Union of South Africa"! All the same it was an real honour to see it in steam.

I am going to try and post a video of it moving here, there is sound (if you want to listen to a lot of hissing ):

A4 Class "Union of South Africa" Moving by Rhyolith, on Flickr

There are rumours that this is one of the last times it will be in steam as its becoming too difficult (expensive) to maintain, so this was in all likelihood its last visit to the MNR. Apparently its going to a museum (don't know where).

 

[dynax]

The A4's are my favourite, although i do like the streamlined Duchesses,

 

[Eric The Viking]

Very nice pics, and I agree with you. One of my friends went up to York last year for the 2013 "Great Gathering", when they had, IIRC six of the class together, several in steam.

I'm sort-of jealous of the owners. There's a BBC programme, which might still be on iPlayer, about the chain of owners of the Flying Scotsman, and there demise(s). Expensive things to own, steam engines...

 

[monkeybiter]

My late dad was a lifelong steam engine/train fan, A4s were my his favourite loco. He used to hang around the stations as a kid in the 1930's, talking to engineers + drivers, much much later got the paid for opportunity to drive the F.Scotsman. He would have loved this, very impressive large machines.

 

[bugbear]

I don't see what's so impressive about a locomotive that's only 210 × 297 millmeters.

BugBear (ba dum - tish)

 

[bourbon]

Has it had a repaint? The last time I saw it. I'm sure it was silver

 

[Harbo]

As a child we used to place farthings on the tracks to be run over by the likes of Mallard etc.
Much less security in those days and in reality the coins could have been flattened by anything - but it gave us a bit of kudos.

Rod

 

[katellwood]

I did the big six, one of the best days out ever, rode on the footplate as well.

In fact there's probably still a lens cap skulking in the workings beneath the cab of Mallard.

As can be seen it was green then. thanks for posting =D>

 

[acewoodturner]

The U of S is still owned by a local farmer to me, john Cameron. He can afford to run it as he used to pick up over £1m a year in farming subsidies amongst all the other business interests he has. He was a former Chairman of Scotrail and is still on the boards of 2 railway companies. He also owns a K4 class locomotive called the Marquess and when he own a big farm in Fife he also had the Lochty Private Railway and steam museum. As a wee aside he was also considered to be the largest sheep farm owner in Europe at 150Km2. Quite impressive. A mate who was organising the Centenary of the Tay Bridge Disaster memorial persuaded him to join his committee organising the work and says he is an absolute gentleman who is extremely well connected and made his endeavours 100 times easier!
Coincidentally I have another mate who stays about 100 Yards away from the marshalling yard at Thornton in Fife where both steam engines are kept

Mike