The Great Goodbye
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Shildon is the venue for the "Great Goodbye" - the farewell to the once-in-a-lifetime gathering of the 6 remaining Gresly A4 Pacifics to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Mallard's world record run.
The day was somewhat cold and decidedly showery but well worth the journey.
Crowds made photography of "the 6" very difficult but I did get this one of the group.
From left to right:
Mallard; Dominium of Canada; Bittern (in steam); Dwight D Eisenhower; Sir Nigel Gresley (in steam) and Dominium of South Africa (in steam)
Having seen both Dwight D and Canada at the same place soon after their arrival in UK some 18 months ago, I was totally blown away by the wonderful restoration work carried out there - particularly on "Canada" which was in a very sorry state on arrival.
'Petermac
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Regards
Alan
Born beside the mighty GWR.
Alan
Born beside the mighty GWR.
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Here's a shot I took of Dominium of Canada when she arrived:
And from a similar angle after they'd attacked her with several tons of filler and a pint or two of garter blue paint:
You have to take your hat off to the Shildon restorers. I hope she's better looked after when she gets back home this time :roll::roll:.
'Petermac
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Banned
Great photo Peter ! :thumbs I know that I'm 'down under' where you may think we Australians are up-side-down, but shouldn't the caption read 'From right to left…', not 'left to right…' ?? ;-)From left to right:
Mallard; Dominium of Canada; Bittern (in steam); Dwight D Eisenhower; Sir Nigel Gresley (in steam) and Dominium of South Africa (in steam)
Cheers, Gary.
Last edit: by Gary
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What a sight. I never took the opportunity of visiting this when they were at York and regret it now. I can however create my own version in miniature as I have most of these with the exception of Mallard itself. Don't know why I haven't bought her yet. The most famous of them all.
Never mind, the photo's are appreciated. Oh……..and ignore these Aussie troublemakers. ;-)
Cheers
Toto
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Ed
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Legacy Member
It would have been wonderful to absorb the atmosphere of being in the presence of these giants !
Regards, Peter.
Each can do but little, BUT if each did that little all would be done!
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Oh look! There's my uncle…ninth from the left in the blue coat! Shame those big ugly metal things are blocking him from view!
Terry
Last edit: by col.stephens
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What a transformation, fantastic work…………………isn't it suprising what a little bit of T-Cut will do :cool wink.
Seriously though Peter, please choose your headings carefully, I thought you were leaving us and I nearly had heart failure :It's a no no.
Lovely photos by the way
'Kev
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Regards
Alan
Born beside the mighty GWR.
Alan
Born beside the mighty GWR.
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Terry
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Very nostalgic
Bob
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[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:Great photo Peter ! :thumbs I know that I'm 'down under' where you may think we Australians are up-side-down, but shouldn't the caption read 'From right to left…', not 'left to right…' ?? ;-)From left to right:
Mallard; Dominium of Canada; Bittern (in steam); Dwight D Eisenhower; Sir Nigel Gresley (in steam) and Dominium of South Africa (in steam)
Cheers, Gary.
Glad to see you're awake Gary :thumbs. You are,of course, quite correct - I get my lefts and rights mixed up when I'm in UK - I put it down to the driving on the wrong side of the road …………….(either that or I had my back to the camera …….):cheers
Bob (Novice), I doubt the 3 non-steamers will ever steam again (although "never" is a long time ……:roll:). Both Dwight D and Canada are incomplete with regard to "fixtures and fittings" although they could be manufactured. I have no idea if the boilers are still tubed etc. Mallard needs re-tubing and a new boiler certificate and I think there's little chance of them spending that kind of money, particularly when 3 are already in steam. Dominium of South Africa has recently been overhauled and issued with a new certificate (which should last 10 years at her current mileage) but the cost, I understand, was frightening.
Until very recently, there was talk of withdrawing "Flying Scotsman" because of the costs of obtaining the new certificates. I think that's now been resolved and she's having the necessary work done although it will make her the most expensive loco in the country !!
p.s. To misquote Mark Twain - "the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated" - sorry, but you've got to put up with me for a few more years yet !!!
'Petermac
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Thanks so much for sharing - the good feel factor of the week !
Allan
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