The Scarborough Flyer - 7th May 2007
For the second year running on May Bank Holiday a steam-hauled excursion calls at Brandon. Last year the engine was one of preservation’s workhorses, the B1 no 61264.
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Tangmere seen as it arrives
at Brandon on the May Bank Holiday.
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In 2007 a glamorous green express engine was promised. The earliest news from the Railway Touring Co. of King’s Lynn was that it would be 30850 Lord Nelson, only recently restored after many years’ inactivity.
When the RTC brochure came out in early 2007, though, this had become Gresley V2 no 4771 Green Arrow, one of the most popular engines on the main line and which, it was widely known, is coming to the end of its career because replacement of a vital component has been deemed uneconomic.
Only two weeks before departure date, though, 4771 was ruled a failure. Boiler problems meant that it could not be run on full power, and though Green Arrow has run on heritage railways this year, it seems we will not see her on the main line again.
You can see what may have been her last mainline appearance at http://www.fleetsteam.co.uk/id2.html#4771
There are usually spare engines available, though, and it was an exotic visitor that was chosen as a substitute. 34067 Tangmere is a Battle of Britain class 4-6-2, built in Brighton in 1947 for the Southern Railway. It was one of a series of 110 similar engines designed by Oliver Bulleid, who had revolutionary ideas about steam locomotive design. His engines look different from everyone else’s, and the most notable feature of his express engines was their streamlined casing. In British Railways days many of these were removed, but Tangmere remained unrebuilt until withdrawn in 1963.
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Downline Tangmere seen
passing Brandon earlier on weekend.
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Tangmere was lucky to be taken to Woodham’s scrapyard in Barry, South Wales, as engines in this yard were not cut up. Over 200 engines were subsequently rescued and many have been restored to operating condition.
Tangmere was rescued in 1981, but it was not until 2003 that she returned to action - many preserved engines have similar long periods of waiting until time and money permit.
See the whole history at: http://www.fleetsteam.co.uk/id11.html#34067
The Scarborough Flier on 7 May 2007 was the last event in an East Anglian steam weekend, similar to the one in 2006 when the B1 was in action for three days. On 5 May Tangmere ran from Dereham to Liverpool Street and back, the first mainline steam train on the Mid-Norfolk line (http://www.mnr.org.uk/) since 1962. The following day the MNR borrowed her for the regular service trains between Dereham and Wymondham. Finally, on the Monday, it was Brandon’s turn. FOBS members were at the station early to deck it with bunting once again, to inject some cheer into the gloom of an overcast day (after a beautiful April, May 2007 saw nothing but rain.) Anyone who didn’t arrive early missed seeing the train. It was originally timed to arrive at 8.50 and this was widely advertised in the town.
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Ken Drane and Tony Wojtasz,
with Gary Hall in the background,
are pictured on the platform having put up the bunting. |
However, a week before the trip a revised timetable appeared, and people who had booked received the information with their tickets. The new time was just after 8.00. Sympathy to all who turned up at about 8.30, only to be told that the train had gone. Fortunate passengers had a choice of two destinations; they could either get off at York to visit the attractions of the city including the National Railway Museum, or continue to Scarborough. Ironic to think that Brandon once had a daily train to the north of England, the famous York to Yarmouth restaurant car express, which ran until the late 1950s, to say nothing of many seaside excursion trains every summer weekend.
Now over to Jenny Ahern:
‘Yet again another naff wet day, but it did brighten up. It was a shame that the Battle of Britain could not haul us all the way to Scarborough and return to York, but that is Network Rail for you - they refused to let the Battle of Britain to take on coal. Therefore, the steam haulage ended at York outbound. They also insisted that it be disconnected outside York, therefore, the possibility of taking any photos of it at York Station were dashed. A very sad blow for the enthusiasts. Nevertheless, there was plenty of opportunity for sights of other trains on excursions and also for photos of our trains being diesel hauled. We were diesel hauled from York onto Scarborough, nice class 47, and return. Saw a lot of people on board and had a chat with most.
I was disappointed with the state of the carriages - not comparable with last years, and although the food company was the same, the food last year was infinitely better. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable day.’
At the rear of the train, ready to provide assistance if necessary, was the class 47 diesel no 47812, carrying its old number of D1916 and in British Rail two-tone green livery.
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Class 47 Support Engine
at rear of Tangmere passing Brandon.
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This engine is one of eleven Class 47s that are operated by Riviera Trains, http://www.riviera-trains.co.uk/Locomotives.htm
Let’s hope the Railway Touring Company keeps a date with Brandon in 2008, and for as long as there are steam locos at work.
The 4-6-2 stopped across the level crossing, just like steam engines up to the 1960s. At that time this could have caused great public indignation, however Tangmere stopping early caused no problems on bank holiday Monday.
Other Photographs from the Steam Outing:
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Front of Tangmere arriving
at Brandon.
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Tangmere sitting across
Level Crossing at Brandon.
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The Crowds of People getting
onto the train at Brandon.
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The Support Class 47 for
the Steam Outing seen at Scarborough.
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