Gresley’s streamlined A4 Pacifics were introduced in 1935. An iconic design, I much prefer them in the changed condition that did away with the valances over the wheels, still sported by Mallard, for example, in her original state at the NRM. Without was how we were used to seeing them, of course, and their overall graceful lines surely flow better as they appeared in BR days. There were 34 in the class, of which I saw 20, thanks to the temporary repatriation of No. 60008 Dwight D Eisenhower. I also underlined No. 60024 Kingfisher in my combined volume, which was obviously a bit of wishful thinking on my part. It has had a little red cross next to the line for the last fifty-nine years to show that that was a mistake and with no hope of it ever being removed.
John Dyer’s archive is comprehensive. He photographed all
the types of steam locomotives that he came across, from the most easily
recognisable main line express classes to the most obscure and humble tanks.
These pictures of perhaps the most famous of all designs were taken between
1960 and 1962.
No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley was on Doncaster sheds on 30/4/62, No. 60013 Dominion of New Zealand was at York on 26/7/60, 60016 Silver King was passing through Wakefield having been diverted off the ECML on 12/8/62, No. 60027 Merlin was at York on 26/7/60 and 60030 Golden Fleece was seen leaving London King’s Cross on 24/8/61.
Think it would be 1963 when I had a brief visit to Edinburgh Haymarket station. Mallard stopped right in front of me. Workstained green with the speed record plaque visible. Like you Mike I prefer this look to the current one. It looks like we will only be able to see Sir Nigel Gresley on the mainline for some time. Once Sir Nigel returns from overhaul that is. What fabulous locos, particularly when working! Andy
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