Today, RailAdvent was invited to the Bury Transport Musuem to see Ex-LNER A4 No. 60009 Union of South Africa unveiled at its new home.
Since its withdrawal from the mainline and later withdrawal from heritage railway service, the A4s future has been uncertain, but a new deal between the BTM / ELR and the owner of the locomotive, John Cameron, will see the A4 parked in the Bury Transport Museum for 2022 with its new exhibition.
You may think it's odd that an East Coast thoroughbred is on the West side of the country? Well did you know that Sir Nigel Gresley, designer of 60009 Union of South Africa, actually began his railway career with the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway and worked at both Blackpool and Horwich sheds?
Open from tomorrow (1st June), visitors to the museum will be able to get up close and personal with the A4 class locomotive, inspecting its huge driving wheels or getting a photo in front of the locomotive.
What's more, visitors can visit the footplate of the locomotive and sit in the driver's seat,
RailAdvent can also reveal that whilst the loan of the locomotive is for 2022, discussions are already underway to extend this loan beyond 2022.
Whilst sad to see the locomotive parked in a museum, its good news that the locomotive can still be seen and it is also undercover, meaning the locomotive's condition will not deteriorate.
The Bury Transport Museum is open 10 am until 4 pm whenever the East Lancashire Railway is operating, you can find out more on the East Lancashire Railway website.
What's your favourite memories of 60009? Let us know in the comments below or share them on LocoStop!
You can view best selling 60009 Union of South Africa products below:
I hope that Mr Cameron will be flexible enough to allow 60009’s return to service.
I believe all of the road transport items have moved to a new home, i saw it mentioned elsewhere although cannot remember where they have gone to but yes such a shame they have had to move to accommodate number 9, perhaps in the longer term the museum planned in Scotland will happen but for the time being USA is now stored in the warm and dry.
Great to see No 9 stored undercover until Fife council maybe see the light. Still have footage behind her at Lochty and again pre lock down on her old stomping ground, East coast line Linlithgow to Aberdeen
Wonderful to see No9 under cover, it deserves nothing less. Also with the iconic “The Elizabethan” headboard. A sight seen many times in the 50s/60s. Come on LNER name an Azuma (fast becoming)iconic “The Elizabethan” continuing the names rich historical history.
I’m sure Union will be back alive one day. Loved watching it on the West Coast mainline. Meanwhile it will come to no harm.
It’s good that 60009 has a home undercover, even though it is a static exhibit. But I recall seeing in April that the collection of traction engines then housed at the museum had been given 4 weeks notice to leave, and it was suggested that this was to make room for 60009. Has anyone heard whether these traction engines have found a new home – in such a short time?
He was also married at St.Annes parish church just down the road from Blackpool.
Took the Union of South Africa from Edinburgh to Tweedbank on the opening of the new Border Rail Line. Pipers and cream teas.
Waste
Wouldham been nice if John Cameron had got his planning permission for UoSA and The Great Marquess in his own Museum in Fife.
I watched this beautiful loco leave Worcester Shrub Hill for Paddington a couple of years ago. I was recording it all on my phone, but someone called me which stopped the recording. I was gutted!