Union of South Africa

Steam and whistle blowing the famous Union of South Africa locomotive sped past on our railway line this morning. We joined the camera and anorak brigade, oh yes we did, at the crossing to spot it hurtling by. A treat for any railway enthusiast and lover of steam!

Designed by Nigel Gresley in 1935 and built in 1937 in Doncaster with the beautiful streamlined wedge shaped front and withdrawn from service in 1966.  A LNER (London North Eastern Railway) A4 Class 4-6-2 No 60009. How well restored and preserved it is but is due to be permanently withdrawn from service in April! I actually prefer the name Osprey, no surprises there, which it was given initially in 1937 but renamed to operate the Coronation streamlined train. For a while in the 80's/90's due to the apartheid policy in S. Africa it reverted back to Osprey. 

Bigger train in Extra