LMS Black Five No. 44871 opens up through Darlington! | The Edinburgh Flyer | 18/5/24

Today’s video focusses on the Railway Touring Company (RYTC)’s “Edinburgh Flyer” tour, hauled by LMS Black 5 Class 4-6-0 No. 44871, with a rake of maroon WCRC Mk.2s! The tour started this morning at York, heading north up the ECML via Darlington, Newcastle and Berwick Upon Tweed before terminating in Edinburgh Waverley. After a few hours the tour returned to York via the same route. Due to the ongoing dispute over Central Door Locking (CDL), West Coast are still obliged to use Mk2 stock with only air braked locomotives, meaning 44871 is seeing a lot of use this year! The day would be blessed with some sunny weather (mostly in the afternoon) but I did decide to keep things fairly local as it was significantly cheaper to do so.
I started out from my local at 7:08 and headed down to Darlington. I was told by LNER staff that my tripod couldn’t be fully extended out, so I gave it as small a profile as possible and they seemed happy with that, so seen firstly is 44871 opening up through Darlington with a whistle, speeding up through Platform 4 under the lovely canopy to rejoin the ECML. Next up was boarding the 8:39 Transpennine Express service to Newcastle Central in the hope that 44871 would be looped for us at Birtley Junction as she was booked to do. Our train started receiving adverse signals just before Durham as we weren’t far behind her, and shortly afterwards 44871 was indeed looped at Birtley for us to pass through. My intention at Newcastle was to go to the Castle keep and attempt to film there again like I had for 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley in November 2023, but in the rush to leave the house this morning I forgot my castle ticket! I therefore had to settle with an arrival and a departure shot at Newcastle Central station from Platform 3. Thankfully the sun came out whilst she waited to be given the road North by Tyneside control, giving us some fantastic photos. A fairly loud departure ensued, after which I headed into the centre of Newcastle for some supplies. Good to chat with ‪@urbanclixnflix‬whilst in the centre!
Now to the evening, I walked out to a location I’ve not tried at Langley Moor Viaduct, not far after departure from Durham. 44871 accelerated over the viaduct in fine style against the darkening sky, actually significantly darker than I’d hoped as the train was running 15 late. I was very nearly bowled by a northbound late running XC Vomiter service! This finished a very fun and chilled out day.
Thanks to all who made today possible, including LNER, TPE and of course WCRC, RYTC, 44871 and her crew. I am extremely grateful to those who run these tours and keep these beautiful locomotives running. Thanks also to the weather and to my secondary planner as always for her help with locations and I hope she enjoys the presents I bought her in Newcastle! I hope you enjoy as I did.

[@PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars]

I know they're supposed to be workhorses, but there really is something special about a Black Five at full chat! Thanks for sharing!

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much! Yes the Black 5s are definitely go anywhere do anything locomotives lol! Regards, Dan

[@stestepney]

Great video that 5 has been doing some excellent runs this year cheers Steve

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you, yes the 5 has been very busy this year! Regards, Dan

[@bobnweaver]

Superb video, very enjoyable viewing.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much! I'm delighted you enjoyed it. Regards, Dan

[@LukeAlfordUKsteam]

This is why black 5s are good... Great video Dan!

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much mate! Yes they're pretty good... just wish the CDL issue gets resolved so I can see a Jub again lol! Regards, Dan

[@WestCountrySteamVideos]

Great video mate, love the shot from the viaduct! Kind regards Tom

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Cheers Tom, yes I do like that shot and intend to do it again, it's just a shame it was so dark lol! Regards, Dan

[@StephenDrysdaleBroughtylad]

Your station captures are always spot on with perfect panning technique which makes for a must view.👍

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Many thanks, I'm really glad you should think so! Regards, Dan

[@vc10aviation]

Great Catch

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoyed! Regards, Dan

[@JakeBSteam]

Great video as always Dan, certainly clocking up some mileage this year. Kind regards, Jake.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Haha cheers Jake, yes I certainly am getting about lol! Regards, Dan

[@abandonedrailwaya2470]

Super video. 44871 is a very impressive loco. Excellent shoot.🙂👍

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much! 44871 is a lovely sight. I'm very glad you enjoyed it! Regards, Dan

[@The-Enthusiast47]

Magical just magical

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much, I'm really glad you enjoyed! Regards, Dan

[@robertbate5790]

Wonderful set of shots. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Many thanks! I'm very glad you liked them. Regards, Dan

[@allan5919]

Excellent video shots at all locations. 👍

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Many thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed all the shots. Regards, Dan

[@LiamsLocos]

Bloody superb dan this is!! To say you don’t like black fives ;) Hope you’re good mate Liam

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Cheers mate, certainly a good performance through Darlington! Yes, they're still not my favourites lol but she did impress me today. Hope you're well too as always mate! Regards, Dan

[@SimonTog]

Great video :)

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Many thanks! Regards, Dan

[@0fficialdregs]

There's something about the black fives that are better than our American's ten wheelers.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Haha yes, whilst not my favourite 4-6-0s, the Black Fives can certainly pack a punch! Regards, Dan

[@0fficialdregs]

@@crunchynutsteamfilms5043 :D

[@jonathanhasnip3700]

Nice one 😁👍

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thanks very much 😁! Regards, Dan

[@Toosplash.]

Saw her at Edinburgh Waverley

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Fantastic! I hope it was good there. Regards, Dan

[@gainsbourg66]

Why are they using modern coaches with windows that don't open? Have they scrapped all the older coaches? Seems a shame to have all these all steam locos preserved but hardly any proper coaches.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

It's all down to Health and Safety restrictions imposed by the ORR. Windows are barred shut on all operators nowadays as window hanging has been banned on the mainline since 2016. The use of sealed Mk2s is hopefully a temporary measure, as WCR was served with a revocation os its exemption which permitted it to operate non-CDL (Central Door Locking) stock. Hopefully once the dispute is solved, the Mk1s will be able to be used again, whether with CDL fitted or not. I agree it's a shame to see the hobby watered down with these sorts of things, but very little we can do, and I'm still very glad we get to see them operate mainline at all lol. Regards, Dan