Saturday 22nd February saw steam locomotive 60009 Union of South Africa blast through along the Cotswolds for what ‘could be’ the final time before withdrawal for retirement on her journey from London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill on The Cotswold Venturer.
The Cotswold Venturer is a railtour run by The Railway Touring Company from London to Worcester & back along the Golden Valley Line over the infamous steep 1 in 60 gradients of Sapperton Bank.
The tour usually runs three times a year however this being the first of the year. The next two being hauled by 60103 Flying Scotsman in June & 6233 Duchess of Sutherland in August.
The Cotswold Venturer would see 60009 head through places such as Ealing Broadway, Slough, Maidenhead, Twyford, Reading, Tilehurst, Cholsey, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Cheltenham Spa & Ashchurch for Tewkesbury.
In this video, RailView captures the A4 at places such as,
- Shrivenham, passing through at 09:03, 4 minutes late.
- Sapperton East passing through at 10:25 9 minutes late.
- Besford, passing through at 16:49 on time
- Frampton Marsh Crossing ‘on Sapperton Bank’, passing through at 17:40 3 minutes late.
- Cholsey, passing through at 19:43. 6 minutes late.
Info about 60009 Union of South Africa:
- Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley
- Built by The LNER in 1937 at Doncaster Works
- She was withdrawn from BR in 1966
- Her original name was Osprey
- Her second/current name is Union of South Africa
- John Cameron purchased her in 1966 and is her current owner
Here are some photos of 60009 Union of South Africa on the trip yesterday.
Have you seen 60009 recently? Why not sign up to LocoStop today and share your photos with us www.locostop.co.uk.
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what a great pity that Cameron and Paul White where not using microphones with foam
or “Fur” filters. There is plenty of suppliers around and they make a big difference!!
Superb camera work, and is’nt it great to see an A4, albeit knocking on for something like 80 years still cutting it on main line work, what a glorious sight!! Well done Mr. Cameron!!
Finally, got to see Number 9 at Didcot Parkway after travelling up from Yatton. Then spent the day at the GWR Museum at Didcot. Well worth the effort!!!