| The much-awaited Electric Scot Tribute tour of 15.10.08 saw a magnificent 87002 'Royal Sovereign' take twelve blue & grey coaches plus a dead loco in fine style over Shap and Beattock.
Despite the trailing load of some 550 tons, the loco had no difficulty gaining time on the schedule once the standard WCML farce had been negotiated at Oxenholme. A slack at Tebay saw her lose her feet completely over a wet patch, with the resultant tell-tale smell of hot metal accompanying huge wheelslip for a hundred yards or so. Finding her feet once again, she charged up the bank to pass the summit at 72mph. The ten-mile climb up Beattock was taken in similar style, with arrival in Glasgow being late solely due to pathing issues. The AL7 Clan passed a splendid afternoon in the pub, with much reminiscence about times past, only to return to Central to learn that a last minute problem had seen Royal Sovereign failed with a faulty battery charger. Reports of fire on the loco would appear to be wide of the mark; she will, I'm sure, be back shortly. Big thanks to Rail Blue for turning the BSO especially for my/our benefit. Good on ya! Roll on the next time! |
15th October 2008 saw the long-awaited return of a Seven to the main line. Some said the day would never come after the shambles of 29.12.07 but I was always confident. Dawn has yet to break as 87002 stands at International with 1z87..... |
Ten minutes later and there are signs of daylight; a view of 'Royal Sovereign' on Platform 1 |
Any comment from me would be superfluous here ..... |
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The shot everyone wanted but only a couple of us got; big thanks to the steward who had sense enough to let us off for a phot when the adjacent road was pulled off. :-) |
Journey's end; Platform 11 at Glasgow. Job done. |
But what's all this hubbub? It's "only" a sparkie on the front - whatever can the fuss be about? I'd wager good money that most of those frothing around when 002 arrived at Central haven't even had all their Sevens...... |
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Once the adjacent unit had cleared, scope for some more shots....... |
'Royal Sovereign' viewed from behind the hydraulic buffers at Central |
Never has an 87 been so popular..... not least with the rotund gentleman on the right who is normally to be found with a lump of brass in his right hand! |
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The obligatory seminar; a selection of proper Seven bashers and a few newcomers interspersed. |
