Goodbye LNER A4 60009 "Union of South Africa"

[@geoffbray6099]

Thanks for the compilation Mr K. But great thanks to John Cameron for providing so much joy for so many enthusiasts. Second time I've witnessed this withdrawal, makes it doubly sad.

[@emmajanegordon536]

Thank you for this video. I have seen this Grand Lady many times on the ECML and even passing through Spalding, Lincolnshire (where I live). She will be sadly missed. Enjoy your retirement UOSA and thank you for the memories but hope that when this virus chaos is over that you will have a UK tour and bow out in glory. Maybe this is not the end just yet. That just leaves Bittern and Sir Nigel Gresley. I absolutely LOVE the A4s, of all the steam locos I have seen, they are my favourite. STEAM POWER AND GLORY PERSONIFIED!!!! From a loyal and devoted A4 Pacific fan.

[@MrKnowwun]

thanks for your comment

[@Sorarse]

The A4 is one of my favourite class of steam locomotives, and you have some wonderful footage here.

[@MrKnowwun]

Many thanks!

[@aidenarroyo8561]

I often hear the quote "The great who live, can live another day". The Union of South Africa was the greatest A4 and she will live everyday in our hearts and out history. We all owe Mr. Nigel Gresley a big thanks for this truly masterpiece of engineering.

[@aidenarroyo8561]

@@medenicaribovski9089 I hope so. Though steam is aging and impractical today, we need to keep some beasts running so we can appreciate the best creations of humanity. The Union was the locomotives that got me into steam trains 8 years ago, and I truly appreciate the work the people have put to keep her running. She also is the best looking of the A4's and she has the best whistle tone. She's really a precious artifact. Just like Flying Scotsman

[@aidenarroyo8561]

@@medenicaribovski9089 I don’t love Scotsman either, but both are important in steam history. And I agree. Union is far superior to Scotsman

[@TheCrazyhorse1876]

Another fantastic collection of the "Queen of steam"many thanks

[@MrKnowwun]

thanks

[@rgmichel]

Fantastic. Reminds me of Doncaster in the early 1960s. Thanks for the collection.

[@MrKnowwun]

glad you enjoyed.

[@woodymcmillan]

Was fortunate enough to be hauled by her in 1985 over the Settle Carlisle line on an SRPS railtour. First time behind a Steam Loco. Still vivid in my memory.

[@BrianSeaman]

Enjoyed this compilation Geoff - thank you :) It's a shame No 9 is retiring, but what great memories!

[@MrKnowwun]

Thanks for watching and commenting, t would have been sadder to have to report we now have NO working A4's on the mainline, but as we have no working steam, locos of any kind running right now who knows.......

[@BrianSeaman]

Looking at RailAdvent is depressing - stop looking ;)

[@Pirate-Scorcher-1998]

Such a fantastic machine I really miss her so much when I last met her at the ELR

[@MrKnowwun]

yes, thanks for the comment

[@BrummyTrainKid]

6009 Union of South Africa was Appearing in your Channel MR.Knowwun between 2014-2020 and this is the Final Railtour for 6009 Union of South Africa in March 2020 and I will miss you 6009 Union of South Africa

[@1Goldsteam]

Very sad watching that but thank you very much for sharing. A wonderful tribute.

[@MrKnowwun]

cheers

[@williamwoolhouse3702]

They Flash Upon That Inward Eye..Then My Heart With Pleasure Fills....

[@colin6644]

Oakleigh Park Station 1955-1958. I was the schoolboy on the footbridge shrouded in 60009's smoke. Thanks for the reminder!

[@MrKnowwun]

The good thing about '09 was it was never overly tarted up in preservation, it always looked like a hardworking real 60's loco

[@anthonywatts5225]

Used to here this streak with its familiar hoot held up at signals on main line here in Selby at around midnight in the fifties when I was a kid, busy time at midnight train after train passing through , sadly no more .👍🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃

[@MrKnowwun]

thanks for the comment

[@TheStephengthompson]

Spot on Geoff , sad to think we won’t see or hear her again. Regards Steve

[@MrKnowwun]

thanks for the comment

[@philnewstead5388]

Loved the shot with a full train of Pullmans. I remember seeing them and other LNER Pacifics coming through Potters Bar when I was a child. Sadly because of the current crisis engulfing the world she did not get her rumoured last hurrah bash over the S&C.

[@MrKnowwun]

That was its last time with a set of pullmans

[@z4avnoob]

is the other lner a4 mallards dye

[@JoshMallard96]

Good old memories, I always loved this steam locomotive. I saw her at Wakefield a long time ago, then I saw her in York and Shildon during the Great Gathering and Goodbye when I was with my dad. My friends and I went to see her and we went for a ride at East Lancashire Railway last year. I’m going to miss this steam engine, she was great. Thanks for sharing this. All the best ... Josh

[@MrKnowwun]

Yes I was at Shildon for the great gathering.

[@michaelhampton9493]

I wil l miss this big beautiful loco.. Power personified. Farewell U.O S A.

[@MrKnowwun]

thanks for the comment

[@ernestmcallister5538]

Absolutely brilliant. Sad to see the old girl go. The bloody virus even killed her off, (in a way). Never saw an A4 "double header " before. Many thanks. 😭😭😭

[@MrKnowwun]

we are short of an A4 or two on the main line at the moment

[@juleshathaway3894]

The clip with Mallard is not really a double header as such as sadly Mallard was being towed. But in April 2009 this happened www.jules-merlin27.com/Railways/Barrow-Hill-LNER-Gala-2009/i-6dDd3VG/A with both locos working from Barrow Hill to York N.R.M. The booked driver and fireman were on No7 and the inspector drove No9. As R.O. for No9 I delegated my son Ross to be the fireman and instructed him even though he has fired before. I wanted him to be able to say that he has fired an A4 on the mainline.

[@ianpalmer125]

So what happens toallthe a4s that are withdrawn? Kept for special events? Broken down for there metal?

[@davidantoniocamposbarros7528]

Being put in static display is the most obvious thing to do. But if there's enough money,they can get overhauled

[@virginiaorganbuilder]

Heading for static display? Perhaps there's more steam in her future.

[@MrKnowwun]

we can hope, but its probably not going to happen

[@djburland]

I saw her three times, such a sad loss

[@davidantoniocamposbarros7528]

Why the permanent retirment?

[@MrKnowwun]

The bloke who owns it is getting on a bit, the next overhaul will cost a few hundred thousand pounds, so he wants to have it in a museum.

[@davidantoniocamposbarros7528]

@@MrKnowwun so he doesn't have the money to overhaul her?

[@juleshathaway3894]

@@davidantoniocamposbarros7528 Yes he does have the money which would be over a million, but he is choosing not to, which is his prerogative.

[@ColinH1973]

Fantastic compilation! Thanks so much for your efforts.

[@MrKnowwun]

thanks

[@trainfan998]

Very sad indeed, but at least it won't be scrapped.

[@eastdeltarailfansclub9322]

Why they are plan to withdrawn from mainline

[@MrKnowwun]

The Loco needs a new or rebuilt boiler, its going to cost a fortune to get it overhauled and back on the main line, The Owner, John Cameron, is getting elderly, so he has putting his remaining money into a museum for 60009, where it will spend the rest of its days.

[@eastdeltarailfansclub9322]

@@MrKnowwun oh thank for your info ... My favourite steam loco sir negel griesley, and mallard

[@eastdeltarailfansclub9322]

@@MrKnowwun sir do you know Mr. Arun Pandian from india

[@MrKnowwun]

@@eastdeltarailfansclub9322 You are in luck, mallard appears in this video, and check this one I made of 60007 SNG kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2rJd4KDqsanipY

[@MrKnowwun]

@@eastdeltarailfansclub9322 I doubt it, unless he phoned to tell me my PC had a problem.

[@swrtrainspotter]

Great video

[@swrtrainspotter]

Possibly sub please

[@johndavey72]

She's passed through Teignmouth many times. So is she retiring or is this just due to present circumstances? Thanks oh dear, your final headline answers a question but l guess she will only run on a private line?

[@terrier_productions]

Is she being retired from mainline work or all together

[@MrKnowwun]

Yes all together. it was going to run on a preserved line for a short time, but all preserved lines are closed due to the coronavirus

[@terrier_productions]

MrKnowwun so basically is she spending the rest of her preserved life at the NRM or until the preserved lines re-open?

[@MrKnowwun]

@@terrier_productions Its main line certificate expires at the end of April I think, As there are no rail tours due to the coronavirus it will never reappear on the main line again. Its boiler certificate expires later in the year, so the plan was to run it on a preserved line till that expires. All preserved lines are closed however due to the coronavirus lockdown. There may be a very short window where it could run on a preserved line, depends on when they reopen. After the boiler certificate expires it is going into a specially built museum n Scotland, and will never get steamed or run on rails again. So in effect it will never get hot again.

[@Stubwood_on_YT]

@@MrKnowwun Not going to lie, that makes me incredibly sad

[@davidantoniocamposbarros7528]

@@MrKnowwun *depression intensifies*

[@hilsthetrainlady4683]

Great memories!

[@MrKnowwun]

Indeed, didn't realise till I searched through my history, 8 years I have been chasing this thing. Mind you only one loco I really miss, TANGMERE! What a wonderfully troublesome engine that was

[@hilsthetrainlady4683]

Is she ever coming back?

[@MrKnowwun]

@@hilsthetrainlady4683 Tangmere? supposed to be in the major heavy overhaul queue at Carnforth. I think I'll do a Tangmere compilation to remind us what dramatic but lovable bag of nails she was.

[@hilsthetrainlady4683]

Oh yes please. Good old Spadmere.

[@michaelhampton9493]

Agrand video of a great loco.

[@locomotive6727]

Hi Geoff ,It's only a rumour they say that Mr,Cameron has not got permission for his Shed/Museum .Good video ...Dave

[@MrKnowwun]

Yes Apparently planning permission has been refused for his museum on that site, but it could be approved elsewhere

[@locomotive6727]

@@MrKnowwun .Hi Geoff.Thanks for info, Think he should sell it to NRM ...Cheers .....Dave.

[@juleshathaway3894]

locomotive67 The NRM already has an A4, they won’t duplicate exhibits and Mr Cameron has publicly stated he will never sell the loco.

[@MrKnowwun]

@@juleshathaway3894 Who is going to buy it anyway? Hoskins has an A4, he wont want another, its not a midland or southern loco, WCR has no LNER engineering experience, so they wont have it. Unless Cameron sets up an operating trust centred on a LNER experienced preserved line, its gone for good.,

[@juleshathaway3894]

@@MrKnowwun No one is going to buy it as it is not for sale despite the offers he has had over the years. He wishes to have his locos on his farm, it really is as simple as that. He can store them in one of his numerous sheds if he so desires, planning permission is not required to do that.

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

What. Was the problem?

[@MrKnowwun]

What problem? There isn't a problem its just in need of a major heavy overhaul and boiler under the terms of its mainline license, and the owner of the loco has decided not to pay (it very expensive) and put it into a Museum instead.

[@KINGANDCASTLE]

Nice one

[@MrKnowwun]

thank you sire

[@Maurice_Moss]

Such a shame that's going to be rotting in some museum now. Mallard being static always bothered me.

[@philnewstead5388]

Moss Don't forget she, Union Of South Africa is privately owned and John Cameron has said that he feels he is too old to put her through another major overhaul with all the expense and stress that entails Mallard however I agree is a different matter. I never understood why the NRM spent all that money in the eighties bringing her up to mainline standards and then only doing about 6 tours with her. My personal opinion is having a steam locomotive that you are never going to steam is a bit like having a racing car with no engine. That said let's not forget that John Cameron has let us share his engine for nearly 50 years and we must be eternally grateful for that.

[@juleshathaway3894]

Phil Newstead Mallard did considerably more than 6 tours. In fact so popular did she prove that the museum kept her running for longer than they originally planned.

[@edwardtsoukalidis2071]

Even though I am a Great Western fan, I must say that the streamlined A4s were magnificent looking beasts that showed up their power and their elegance. The passing of any such machine is to be truly grieved.

[@MrKnowwun]

I just love the way that chime is perched in front of the chimney, and the steam wraps round it when operated.

[@williamwoolhouse3702]

Sic Transit Gloria.

[@MrKnowwun]

Et tragica

[@michaelnaisbitt1639]

Steam locomotives do not want to be retired. Why is UOSA going this way Is it’s mechanical condition so bad ? England needs two things to survive 1. Some Spitfires flying overhead. and. 2. A 4 steam locos on its rails. If loco needs overhaul Go to the people for the funds. You may be surprised

[@juleshathaway3894]

You may be surprised Michael but money is NOT the issue. The owner feels he no longer able to go through the process of overhauling the engine and he wishes to retire it to his farm where he can enjoy it at his leisure and in his slippers if he wishes. Give it a year or so and you will get your A4 on the rails when No7 comes out.

[@derekheeps1244]

UOSA lives here in SCOTLAND ; you can have some of the other ones .

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

Excellent high-speed clips, most of mine are in the depot at Barry last year. Have a look on YT under...MikeWilcock..............thanks for posting

[@MrKnowwun]

Thanks for commenting Mike, will mosey on over for a gander at your clips

[@alanpownall5024]

Why don't they retire her to Doncaster where she was built let's have something to remind us instead of every thing going to york

[@juleshathaway3894]

The loco is not being retired to York but will ultimately end up on the owner's farm in Fife. He intends to have it on display with his other loco K4 61994 The Great Marquess in a museum to farming and his locos.

[@derekheeps1244]

Because she is owned by John Cameron who keeps her here in Scotland . If she was ever going to any museum , it is likely she would go to the SRPS here in Bo'ness , where she has visited on numerous occasions .

[@KauBloxBrasillll]

:(