2. Railways

60009 Union of South Africa

The former LNER class A4 pacific has been privately owned since 1966 and a regular performer on the main line from 1974. I joined the support crew at the beginning of 1990 and here are some memories from my involvement with No9.
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    Nick and Davy oil round at Exeter St Davids station before working a tour to London via the GWR main line. The previous day we had brought a tour from Clapham Junction to Exeter via the LSWR route through Salisbury. As we went about getting the loco ready, little did we know what the day would bring, it was a day never to be forgotten. Again the story is told here https://www.amazon.co.uk/60009-Union-South-Africa-Stories/dp/1445682753/ref=sr_1_2?crid=15GQTF9PCPDE4&dchild=1&keywords=60009 19/2/1995
    60009 sits at Keighley station on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The loco had been stabled here for a few months and was now booked to run engine and coach to Crewe via Derby. But first we had to go to Shipley to turn on the triangle. That movement was tender first whole way, on the return section we suffered two flashovers with the 25kV overhead wires. The second one tripped the system and all local electric trains were delayed by 30 minutes. It was thought the thick rubber cab sheet was lifting in the wind and got too close to the wires. Back at Keighley we removed the cab sheet which was made of part of a conveyor belt from a coal mine. Once it was removed the driver quipped "oh look, a sun roof!!" I was on the footplate when it occurred and the second one really made me jump. We did continue on to Crewe somewhat late. 12/7/1996
    I look from the cab as the loco sits on the turntable within the National Railway Museum to turn during a tour from Peterborough to York and back. 5/10/1996