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It was compulsory, wasn’t it, for those of us of a certain age. I didn’t see all the A4s (few of us did, given that one was destroyed in the war) - withdrawals had begun when I first sat on the platform at Northallerton, notebook in hand, in the early 60s. The best remaining examples spent their last years in Scotland. But there were still several around. 60026 “Miles Beevor” (whose wheels, I believe, are those now bearing 60007) was a frequent sight, and I have a clear memory of the silver fox still in place on no. 60017, reduced to hauling a freight train - and a sooty piece of scale (was it?) which landed on my sandwich as 60029 “Woodcock” tore through on an express.
The story of later years needs little retelling. I never saw nos. 8 and 10 before they became trans-Atlantic Pacifics, but the other four survivors have passed in front of the lens at various times, on the main line and the heritage lines. It was great to see Mallard in action, 25 years ago. That was the 50th anniversary year of the great event; this year’s “Great Gathering” marked the 75th... Great Gathering? More of a Stupendous Scrum. Great to see them all together though. Had to be there...
Six of a kind - 7, 8, 9, 19, 22, 10 Six of a kind - 7, 8, 9, 19, 22, 10 Shades of Garter Blue 7, 8 and 9 4489 (60010) Dominion of Canada 60008 Dwight D Eisenhower The six Six of a kind - 7, 8, 9, 19, 22, 10 Back Contact Geoff