Back to the UK after 50 years

[drron]

What a lucky thing to arrive at a steam festival I have always been a steam engine fan. Always took a ride on 4801?when she came to the Maitland Steam Festival.
How I would like to ride behind the Sir Nickolas Greeley.
Our secretary ‘s husband owned South Maitland Railway which included the Nambour Sugar Mill track. Was fascinating moving from Maitland to the Sunshine Coast.

 

[OZDUCK]

Yes it was very fortunate. Our driver kept hinting all day that there was the chance of something special. In the end we were a bit lucky as the trains were running 40 - 50 minutes behind schedule - keeping in line with tradition I guess.

 

[RB001]

Pendennis Castle on the right

Looking at the line-up for the day, more likely was the Black 5 No. 44806, based on a few visual clues, notwithstanding that the Pendennis Castle is more of a green colour.
Still a sight to behold!

 

[OZDUCK]

Looking at the line-up for the day, more likely was the Black 5 No. 44806, based on a few visual clues, notwithstanding that the Pendennis Castle is more of a green colour.
Still a sight to behold!

I think you may be right. I will have to surrender my anorak

 

[VPS]

How serendipitous I am also a steam train fan

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The first two trains moved off before we could get a really good look at them but something much more exciting to me was about to happen.

The departure of the Pendennis Castle

The volunteer Stationmaster appears to be not much younger than some of the trains

The arrival of the "Sir Nigel Gresley"

"No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, courtesy of the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust Ltd. is a renowned member of the LNER A4 Pacific class, designed by the celebrated railway engineer, Sir Nigel Gresley. No. 60007’s visit is part of the celebrations of innovation, speed, and elegance marking the 150th anniversary of the railway legend, Sir Nigel Gresley. Built at Doncaster works, No. 4498 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ entered service in 1937 following a naming ceremony at Marylebone station on 26th November. It was the 100th Gresley Pacific built by the London and North Eastern Railway. The locomotive was mainly based at London King's Cross, with a spell at Grantham during World War II, and was briefly re-numbered as No. 7 before becoming No. 60007 when the LNER was merged into British Railways."

This a sister to The Mallard which I had drooled over at the National Railway Museum in York. It was a complete, and very happy, surprise to me when it turned up here.

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Such beautiful flowing lines

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She was very much the star of the show

The departure