The LNER Class A3 4472 Flying
Scotsman is without doubt the most famous steam locomotive in the world.
Originally built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) in
Doncaster and designed by Nigel Gresley, it enjoyed an forty year career and has
set two world records. On the 30th of
November 1934 the Flying Scotsman was the first steam locomotive to
officially reach 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h). On the 8th of August 1989
while touring Australia, it set the record for the longest non-stop run by any
steam locomotive with a journey of 422 miles (679 km).
Employed on the long distance
express East Coast Main Line, most notably on the London to Edinburgh Flying
Scotsman service after which it is obviously named; the locomotive was retired
from service in 1963 after covering 2.08 million miles The Flying Scot has
enjoyed fame in its post retirement preservation under various owners and today
the locomotive is owned by the National Railway Museum (NRM). Often touring the
United Kingdom its fame has been spread by international tours, including visits
to the USA, Canada and Australia.
It late June it was announced
that the Flying Scotsman would journey from London to Edinburgh on Saturday the
29th. The locomotive often tours the United Kingdom but not always under its
own steam; sometimes it is towed or transported. This journey was to be special
as it was to be made under its own steam and was to follow as closely as
possible its old route. To see such a famous locomotive, to see a real train;
not a diesel or an electric but an iron dragon breathing fire and smoke, that
is always of interest to me. The opportunity holds a certain attraction. The
proposed route ran along the Derbyshire Nottinghamshire border, only a few
miles from where I live.
To see the locomotive pass was
in my opinion, worth a little effort on my part. So I travelled to Sandiacre, a
small Derbyshire town on the border that nestles closely with Stapleford, its
Nottinghamshire neighbour. Here I took a very pleasant walk along the Erewash
Canal, looking for a crossing point of both river and railway. On such a very
bright and very hot day, I could appreciate the beauty of the environment in
its full glory. It is remarkable how the simple act of turning away from the
main road, can lead us into a hidden corner of such beauty.
Here I fell into conversation
with a dog walker as we passed on the tow path. He had not heard that the train
was passing and wished to join me, suggesting a vantage point nearby. On
retracing my steps with him, I realised that this was the turning I had been
looking for. I had missed it. I know this area but not well, now I had local
knowledge guiding me. Always beneficial.
Deviating towards the River
Erewash we turned north again to take up our positions on the river bank next
to the track. Here the line crosses the river and therefore the county border.
We joined a young couple and stood on the Derbyshire side looking into
Nottinghamshire. The expected crossing time had been given on the internet as
11.17am and we took up our position with a full fifteen minutes to spare.
The route of the train once
leaving Leicestershire was to wind its way along the border, first entering
Derbyshire at Longeaton, Nottinghamshire briefly at the Toton sidings and then back into Derbyshire at Sandiacre.
From here it would travel onto Chesterfield and Sheffield.
From our vantage point we
could look across to the distant Toton Sidings and watch as the crowds began to
gather on the two bridges we could see. Clearly we had been fortunate in taking
up our positions on the side of the track lying next to the river. We were at
ground level and although more people had joined us, we were few and had an
uninterrupted view.
The River Erewash here is
quite wild but perhaps less pretty than the canal to which it has given its
name. The water flowed with good speed and was clear. I stood and watched as a hen
mallard danced her way upstream. I was surprised and pleased, to see a shag fly
overhead.
One could sense the
expectation rising and I could see people milling about on the bridges. At
11.18am there were shouts of excitement as the whistle was heard for the first
time. There she was, the famous Flying Scotsman complete with a row of period carriages.
Stately but in full steam she approached us, passing under the distant bridge
and then the nearer. On such a beautiful clear day, she was the vision of a
bygone age, her steam adding to the heat haze already visible. Sadly her
passing was all too brief. It was a moment to savour and remember. Yes it was worth
that small effort on my part and I have been left with a special memory.
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