I’ve had a soft spot for her ever since we first met - in
Liverpool Lime Street station on 26th October 1968, when I was still
a teenager. She had received special dispensation to break the BR steam ban
within weeks of its inception. She looked every bit as impressive as I had imagined.
She’s had her ups and downs since then, of course. She left home
to take America by storm in 1969 on a trip that was very successful early on but
which eventually ended in tears. Then, with different suitors, she was rescued
and repatriated, in February 1973.
I caught up with her again and welcomed her home at an
otherwise deserted Edge Hill sheds, soon after she had come off the boat. Our meeting,
on a cold, winter’s afternoon was lit by a low, watery sun. She was in a mess,
but later on she made it to Derby for a makeover under her own steam. I looked
forward to meeting her again once she was fully recovered.
No comments:
Post a Comment