LNER A4 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley & LMS Black 5 44871 charge up the ECML to York - 16.11.24

With the Christmas Markets in full swing, the East Coast Mainline would play host to two steam locomotives as they hauled their respective railtours to York, one of which would see a locomotive return to its home ground.
Black 5 44871 and A4 Pacific No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley would haul a pair of "Christmas White Roses" to York up the ECML, with the Black 5 hauling a tour for the Railway Touring Company, starting at Kings Cross, heading up to York via Grantham on the outward and Lincoln on the return, with the five coming off at Peterborough to stable at the NVR. The A4 would be at the head of a tour of the same name organised by Saphos Trains, starting at St Albans with diesel haulage to Peterborough, where the A4 would take over having been stabled at the NVR overnight, for the run to York and back, directly up the ECML both ways via Grantham, before being relieved again at Peterborough to also stable at the NVR. The prospect of an A4 at speed on its old stomping ground, added on with the Black 5 running behind it, meant this chase would be a highlight of the year, and it certainly proved so.
Starting with the Black 5, we begin at Finsbury Park where, having gotten away from the starting point at Kings Cross, the engine takes it easy before opening up as the signal clears. Heading north to Newark, the station would prove to be popular as the A4 made its appearance. Unsually, it should've been possible to also see the Black 5 here, however with its late running we had to head straight to Doncaster in order to not miss the A4 there.
The next shot would be the highlight of the day. Recreating the glory days of steam on the ECML, the A4 charged down the fast line at Doncaster at 70mph, giving a long whistle salute to her birthplace as she passed, a truly amazing sight! 45 minutes later, the Black 5 passed, by which time the sun had made an appearence.
Following a break in Doncaster, we returned to the station to await the charters return journeys, starting with the Black 5, putting down the power as it passes through Platform 3 on its way towards Lincoln. 40 minutes later, the A4 returned, once again putting on a show passing its birthplace as it charges down the fast line, again nearing 70mph. Finally, we headed to Grantham, where unfortunately an LNER unit took longer than expected to clear the platform, but just about managed to clear in time to briefly see the A4 speed through on its final leg to Peterborough.
•Facebook: / themodsterrailwayvideos

[@AnthonySimpson-t7f]

Excellent footage of 44871 thanks Tony Simpson

[@ONEFATE9]

Great to see Black 5 and Sir Nigel Gresley running out and about! Thanks for the vid!

[@themodster]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@oswaldtwistle6073]

Great video of 2 iconic locos, the long chime was the stuff of dreams👍

[@themodster]

Thanks David. Absolutely, that made the shot!

[@avocet89]

@@themodster amazing sight and sound, the whistle almost drowned out the platform Bert bellowing at everybody! but what was that announcer saying? 🤣🤣

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

That shot through Doncaster! Wonderful sight and sound :)

[@themodster]

Thanks! That was certainly a winner.

[@williamscates3915]

@@themodsterreally shows it wobbling about over the points!

[@jameshowe6057]

A4 saying Hi to her birthplace

[@paullloyd6821]

Cracking video, many thanks for posting it 👍

[@themodster]

Thanks Paul!

[@thomasspencer2649]

Can just about see myself at the end of platform 2 at Newark in your 60007 shot lol, great clips

[@larx4074]

Now that was a proper day out!! Very enjoyable and many thanks for sharing, cheerz, Alan

[@themodster]

Thanks Alan. It was a grand day out indeed.

[@allan5919]

Very good video content and nice to see you get to all those locations to see the two steam rail tours. Very enjoyable viewing. 🙂

[@themodster]

Thanks Allan. It was quite remarkable how well we could see both the tours, it would've been even better if we'd also got 44871 at Newark as planned, as its very rare you can overtake two tours at once.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Brillaint video Thomas!

[@themodster]

Thanks Henry

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Fantastic stuff mate, great to see you yesterday and some great set of shots here! Regards, Dan

[@themodster]

Cheers Dan, good to see you too

[@joelightrailway2362]

A double steam run past at Doncaster is super awesome. Excellent video 👍

[@themodster]

Cheers Joe

[@ЛЬВИНИ]

Excellent video .... super!!!

[@themodster]

Thank you

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Nicely captured. Regards, John

[@themodster]

Cheers John

[@JoshMallard96]

Great video of Sir Nigel Gresley and the black five running.

[@themodster]

Thanks Josh!

[@LiamsLocos]

Lovely collection Tom! Looks like you had a busy day mate :) Regards, Liam

[@themodster]

Thanks Liam. Was a very busy day but rewarding in the end

[@AnthonySimpson-t7f]

6ooo7 first class thanks Tony Simpson

[@maruchagajowy]

Magnifique! Both of the Machines! Anybody clocked the speeds of those passing?

[@callumthornelow2936]

Excellent footage Thomas. There is something poignant about an A4 passing through their birth place of Doncaster.

[@themodster]

Thanks Callum. Hoped for a fast run through there and it certainly delivered.

[@ABTrainsYT]

Saw them at Claypole level crossing, though the A4 almost gave me a heart attack as to begin with it was reported to be 40 mins early at Werrington Jn north of Peterborough, but nek minnit and to some relief it was 12 mins late!

[@Mountianlions69]

It went past me on Friday, it was a nice surprise from the normal

[@SimonTog]

Nice video Thomas :)

[@themodster]

Cheers Simon

[@wolfgangkowalik6]

WOW GREAT !!!!!!!!

[@loeb1]

Saw myself in video thanks

[@jameshowe6057]

Anyone notice the Scottish Saltire on the Doncaster station Sign?

[@SodorFan15]

Can I use a bit of this footage in a video? You will be credited.

[@themodster]

Yes that's fine

[@SodorFan15]

@@themodster Thank You!

[@sdstewart87]

Really wish they would stop ruining the image of these glorious beasts with those nasty looking, characterless diesels on the back

[@stained36]

They're needed for train heating and such

[@Matty_1843]

Even though they're neither nasty looking nor characterless and you're being ridiculous. They spend most of the day not doing anything, blend in perfectly with the train and are necessary for train heating and shunting purposes. It's been the accepted norm for decades now.

[@johnmcintosh6978]

Totally agree

[@lazerjet899overshoots8]

Also used for banking as well. For example when LSL send trains down to Plymouth the diesel would help the steam up Hemerdon bank

[@Matty_1843]

More than anything because it lets them use steam locos they can't use otherwise. 61306 would be useless to LSL without the ability to run it on 12 coaches.