We are most grateful to John who has kindly agreed to the publishing of his report and photographs.
Dear colleague
You will probably heard already that ex-LNER Pacific locomotive No 60009 Union of South Africa is in the SDRE workshops at Buckfastleigh. It arrived on the evening of Sunday 16 August under its own steam, having failed at Newton Abbot whilst on a railtour to Par. It travelled down the branch under its own power, with its support coach, and was shunted into the workshops on Monday 17 August. The photos show the story so far, with the loco and coach arriving at Totnes (courtesy John Keohane); arriving at Buckfastleigh on Sunday - watched by passengers on the Fish'n'Chip special - and in the loop platform on Monday.
Driver Mark Ireland and Fireman Rob Oaten had turned up at Buckfastleigh for their footplate turn on Monday and thought that all their prayers had been answered - they had Union of South Africa as their locomotive for the day. They did get to shunt it into the workshops using 6412, where work started almost immediately. On Tuesday 18 August 60009 and workshop staff were exceptionally fortunate to receive a visit from Peter Townend, renowned as Shedmaster at King's Cross for many years, and who knows more about the LNER Pacifics than anyone.
Work is proceeding well: watch this space for updates.
Best wishes, John Brodribb Many thanks John.
Dear colleague
You will probably heard already that ex-LNER Pacific locomotive No 60009 Union of South Africa is in the SDRE workshops at Buckfastleigh. It arrived on the evening of Sunday 16 August under its own steam, having failed at Newton Abbot whilst on a railtour to Par. It travelled down the branch under its own power, with its support coach, and was shunted into the workshops on Monday 17 August. The photos show the story so far, with the loco and coach arriving at Totnes (courtesy John Keohane); arriving at Buckfastleigh on Sunday - watched by passengers on the Fish'n'Chip special - and in the loop platform on Monday.
Driver Mark Ireland and Fireman Rob Oaten had turned up at Buckfastleigh for their footplate turn on Monday and thought that all their prayers had been answered - they had Union of South Africa as their locomotive for the day. They did get to shunt it into the workshops using 6412, where work started almost immediately. On Tuesday 18 August 60009 and workshop staff were exceptionally fortunate to receive a visit from Peter Townend, renowned as Shedmaster at King's Cross for many years, and who knows more about the LNER Pacifics than anyone.
Work is proceeding well: watch this space for updates.
Best wishes, John Brodribb Many thanks John.
60009 arrives at Totnes 16th August 2015 Copyright John Keohane
Buckfastleigh 60009 Union of South Africa arrives 16th August 2015 Copyright John Brodribb
Buckfastleigh 60009 Union of South Africa arrives 16th August 2015 Copyright John Brodribb
That famous nameplate - 60009 Union of South Africa 16th August 2015 Copyright John Brodribb
Buckfastleigh 6412 shunting 60009 Union of South Africa 17th August 2015 Copyright John Brodribb
60009 Union of South Africa in the workshop at Buckfastleigh 17th August 2015 Copyright John Bodribb
In the workshop at Buckfastleigh Peter Townend & Richard Elliott 60009 Union of South Africa 17th August 2015 Copyright John Brodribb