A4 class steam train at Atherstone station today...

[grumpycommuter]

This fella (Union of South Africa) turned up today (not my photo) and what a privilege. Same class as the Mallard. It had stopped to fill up with water. 4000 gallons apparently and was going to stop at Rugby which is only 20 ish miles away for another fill! Spoke to the driver who said they would use 9 tonnes of coal at £200 per tonne. The engineering of the thing was a sight to behold. Built in 1937 and took out of service in 66.

Steam and noise everywhere and when the pressure relief valve went it was genuinely the loudest thing ive ever heard

I feel so chuffed, excuse the pun, to have seen it. The glow from the cab as it slowed toa haltvwas awesome. I'm quite excited!

 

[The History Man]

Stunning. They never cease to impress and amaze me.

 

[grumpycommuter]

Ayup Jason. Never seen one before and to be able to stick my head in the cab and see that fire was unbelievable. Cant help but think of the design and manufacturing. Wow!

 

[The History Man]

Weren't they designed for the Blue Riband equivalent for trains? Beautiful. The engineering is simply breathtaking. I have GWR up the road and pop in at every opportunity much to mrs HM's annoyance.

What's this then? (Lives on my study windowsill)

 

[KermitGKona88]

Re:

A magnificent marvel from when Britain was truly Great

 

[xerxes]

Re:

What a beauty!

HM, is it part of the points?

 

[captaincosmic]

Nice ,Doncasters finest

 

[The History Man]

It is a very short section of one of a certain Mr Brunel's original rails.

 

[grumpycommuter]

Weren't they designed for the Blue Riband equivalent for trains? Beautiful. The engineering is simply breathtaking. I have GWR up the road and pop in at every opportunity much to mrs HM's annoyance.

What's this then? (Lives on my study windowsill)

not got a bloody clue

Some of the stuff going on now in the communications industry is gobsmacking but that train...

kermit - totally agree. From the Victorians through to 50's with Concorde and the jump jet via the Spitfire we have seen some incredible engineers.

 

[CTK]

Re:

I saw the same engine at Nottingham station 4 or 5 years ago. Without carriages and absolutely filthy it looked like something out of Batman- I was in awe!

My older boy (3.5) loves trains- if he saw this he'd say "daddy a Mullard!"