LOCAL trainspotters were given a rare treat when the Stanier Pacific 46100 `Royal Scot` steamed through the Warrington area at the weekend.
The 96-year-old loco was captured on camera by local photographer Paul Bellas, hauling the steam leg of a tour that originated in Rugby, initially hauled by the vintage Class 40 diesel `Andania`, that was built locally by Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows, in 1959.
Picture Paul Bellas
The tour travelled across to Shrewsbury, then up the Welsh borders through Shropshire & Cheshire, before Royal Scot took over at Crewe, to head the tour through the Warrington area up to Carnforth, then across to Settle & Hellifield in North Yorkshire.
Royal Scot then brought the train back through the Lancashire Pennines and down the main line through Warrington, back to Crewe, where D213 Andania again took over for the remaining return leg.
Royal Scot was the first locomotive in its class to be built in 1927, commissioned by the then LMS to haul their fastest express trains between London & Glasgow.
She is pictured here belying her age, absolutely storming up the bank to Acton Grange by Moore Lane bridge, pulling a full train of a dozen carriages in lovely Autumn sunshine.
She similarly passed through Moore flat out on the downhill homeward leg, just before sunset.
Picture Paul Bellas
Picture Paul Bellas
1 Comment
A brilliant engine. I remember as a child in the 60s, seeing it running through Moore and Warrington in both directions each day.