60009 Union of South Africa: Farewell to a Legend!

On 4th October it was sadly announced that 60009 Union of South Africa was withdrawn and retired three months earlier than planned due to what is believed to be boiler tube issues. In this video, we pay tribute to one of preservations most legendary locomotives who is special to the hearts of many enthusiasts such as myself with a compilation of my favourite clips of Number 9 that have featured on this channel from 2017 to 2020 and also featuring footage never seen on RailView of 60009 passing through Doncaster in 2012 & 2014.

PLEASE BE WARNED for those wearing headphones whilst watching this video, the clips from 2012 & 2014 from 23:19 to 24:56 have distorted audio due to being filmed on an iPhone 3.

From 1937 to 2021, 60009 has ran having never been retired running many mainline excursions across the country and visited many heritage railways under the ownership of John Cameron giving out legendary performances winning the hearts over of many who have witnessed this stunning locomotive.

Highlights in this video of 60009 Union of South Africa include:

Blasting out of Chesterfield hauling The Yorkshireman on 22nd October 2017.
Whistling through Retford hauling the return leg of The Christmas White Rose on 15th December 2018.
Powering away from Ramsbottom on the East Lancashire Railway in the stunning winter light on a frosty morning on 15th January 2020.
Blasting up the 1 in 60 incline of Sapperton Bank hauling her penultimate tour, The Cotswold Venturer 22nd February 2020.
Speeding through Goldthorpe on her final railtour before retirement, The Yorkshireman on 7th March 2020.
Five minutes of 60009 blasting through her birth place, Doncaster on the fast line in each direction with much whistling in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018 & 2020.


60009 was the first steam locomotive I ever saw in steam at the age of 3 years old and I have grown up seeing her so many times having seen her across the country and ridden behind her she truly is one of my all time favourite locomotives and she will be missed very dearly!


I would like to say a massive THANK YOU to John Cameron and everyone involved with 60009 throughout her running preservation life for bringing us all memories we will never forget from this truly special steam locomotive!


Farewell 60009 Union of South Africa, thank you for the brilliant memories! Have a happy retirement!

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Enjoy!