A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley - A Black Mainline Streak Over The Northern Hills !

A4 4498/60007 Sir Nigel Gresley took to the mainline stage for its Inaugural mainline return. The significance of this trip would be the fact that this is the only one of a few select trips we'll see an A4 on the mainline hauling a train in Wartime Black, as the loco is due to painted back to its original B.R blue livery this Autumn/Winter. This was also a private excursion for the members of SNGLT.

Our day would start off at Winsford where the A4 was booked on the fast line out of Crewe, this had all the hallmarks for a spirited run and boy did we get it, three angles cover this, there was also a bonus 20 minutes before. After Winsford we headed north to the S&C, being as this was our only chance to see a black mainline A4, I wanted to see it pass some vintage railway infrastructure, so Settle Junction would be your best best with the backdrop of a glorious working signal box and semaphore signals. Sir Nigel eventually turned up, running late due to being held for a poxy unit to be sent out in front, so this slightly effected its approach speed to the long drag, though this didn't detract from the scene as Gresley made a superb sight passing the Box and signals. Just a few miles up the bank we see 4498 negotiating the curve to Langcliffe with the loco running well up the Long Drag to Blea Moor tunnel.

The return leg from Carlisle would see a prompt departure and coinciding with this would be the arrival of better weather, though an unfortunate turn of events at Great Strickland would see a northbound Avanti Pendolino blocking most of our shot right at the crucial time, thankfully we had a static camera placed just around the corner, though luckily or unluckily the camera battery died just as the last few coaches passed the camera. A few miles further South I took position just before Shap Village for a long side on profile shot which would showcase the sleek curves of an A4. With a dramatic lifting of the conditions 4498 was gleaming nicely, though we were let down with the locomotive performance as the driver had eased her back for some reason which was surprising as its a long hard pull over Shap south. With a gusty South Westerly wind taking the sound away this slightly took the edge of the scene, though it ended with a nicely timed livestock convoy moving through the field as the last of the train passed out of shot. Our final glance of the A4 would be at Balshaw Lane Junction not Euxton as stated In the video. A brief view it may on been thought a great one as Gresley's racehorse does its thing on the Fast Line out of Preston making for another fine sight and topping off a great day on the mainline.

I hope you enjoy the video.