Time was, searching out a ninety-nine involved a trip to the nearest shop for an ice cream. Now it’s a bit of a journey to Leicester, instead. Stadler’s Class 99s are based there for tests as they arrive from Spain in batches. No. 99004 was parked outside the open doors of the depot and No. 99005 was just behind it, having a peek outside but not ready to fully show itself on this occasion. There was quite a mix on view from the platform end and briefly from the train on arrival in the city. The former HST and now Derby’s Network Rail flying banana test train was there, as was Stanier Black Five No. 44871, hiding round the corner and in steam, presumably between main line specials duties. She was the second Fifteen Guineas Special survivor from August 1968 that I’d seen in the last few days. Class 73 electro-diesel No. 73962 Dick Mabbutt was also receiving attention in the yard, along with a Europhoenix Class 37. I had a very relaxing few hours on Leicester station, entertained by Class 66s on all the freight workings before my first ride on an East Midland Railway’s new Hitachi Aurora. No ice cream this time, but a Costa coffee did fine.
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