Some Main Line Steam - Autumn 2002 & Spring 2003

6201 'Princess Elizabeth'

Having heard some stirring tales of 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' since the loco's recent return to the main line I was very pleased to have the opportunity to see and hear the loco on 7th September 2002.
Poor weather and shortage of time meant that I had to settle (if you'll pardon the pun) for a recording of the loco passing through Settle station.
I have to say that, despite the extraneous noises of the many spectators on the station I'm glad that I did. What an excellent sound.

After an encounter near Salford on an earlier tour with a low bridge in which the loco's chimney and smokebox were badly damaged LMS Pacific 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' returned to the main line working a northbound Cumbrian Mountain Express on 12th April 2003.
'Lizzie' is heard in this recording passing Selside at the head of 12 well filled coaches.

On 26th April 2003 the LMS Pacific 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' returned south from Carlisle over the S&C and is heard in this recording near Langho during the ascent of Whalley Bank.
As the train approaches so does a heavy shower of rain but 6201 sounds well none the less climbing the 1 in 82 gradient with 12 coaches behind the tender.
The Pacific sounds to have everything under control until, rounding the curve towards Wilpshire Tunnel the loco looses it's feet and suffers a very bad slip which takes almost 20 seconds to correct.

Scarborough Flyers

Hertfordshire Railtours appear to have got their marketing just right with their regular programme of trains to Scarborough.
The usual motive power for these trains between York and Scarborough is the V2 60800 'Green Arrow' but, for the train on 20th March 2003 the usual dual braked coaches were unavailable having been involved in a SPAD a couple of weeks before and the train was formed of an air brake set. As the V2 has only vacuum brakes another loco had to be found. The nearest available air brake loco was Black 5 45407 (still carrying the number 45157) which is heard in this recording departing from York for Scarborough.

Having been thwarted in obtaining a recording of V2 2-6-2 60800 'Green Arrow' on it's last intended visit to Scarborough from York when the use of air braked stock forced the use of another loco I made another attempt on 24th April 2003.
This time with the correct dual braked stock I was more successful and this is how the V2 sounded departing from York.