"Flying Scotsman" meets "Pendennis Castle" | Didcot Railway Centre - 'Rivals Reunited' 18/05/2025 скачать в хорошем качестве

"Flying Scotsman" meets "Pendennis Castle" | Didcot Railway Centre - 'Rivals Reunited' 18/05/2025

For the first time in a century, “Pendennis Castle” and “Flying Scotsman” would rub shoulders on UK soil, as the once rivals turned survivors would be displayed together at the Didcot Railway Centre as the flagship of their ‘Rivals Reunited’ event. In 1922, the Great Northern Railway began construction on the first batch of its brand-new A1 Class, consisting of 10 locomotives; an act which would become a swansong for the company which would shortly be amalgamated into the newly formed London & North Eastern Railway in 1923. The third member of the class, completed in 1923 and numbered 1472, was selected for display at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1924. The locomotive was renumbered as 4472 and named “Flying Scotsman” before attending the exhibition, where it would rub shoulders with the pioneer of the Great Western Railway 4073 ‘Castle’ Class, 4073 “Caerphilly Castle”. The GWR boldly staked the claim that the ‘Castle’ Class was the “most powerful express passenger locomotive in Britain” - a claim the LNER disputed, believing the A1 Class to be the rightful holder of that title. The disagreement led to the famed 1925 Locomotive Exchange Trial - an arranged exchange between the GWR and LNER which saw a member of the ‘Castle’ Class operate on LNER metals alongside their A1s, while an A1 would go up against the ‘Castle’ Class locomotives on the GWR network; 4079 “Pendennis Castle” was selected to represent the GWR, while 4474 “Victor Wild” would represent the LNER. The LNER and its high-ups held a strong belief that the smaller and lighter ‘Castle’ Class would struggle against the A1 pacifics, especially on the challenging start out of London King’s Cross. However, the reality would soon humble their pride. 4079, with driver Young and fireman Pierce, issued statement performances across the trial on departures from the terminus, regularly powering through Finsbury Park station within 6 minutes of leaving King’s Cross, a feat that no A1 could match, while consuming less coal and water than its rivals. This performance trend would be reflected on its services to Grantham and Peterborough. By comparison, on GWR metals, 4474 had struggled to keep pace with the ‘Castle’ Class locomotives on services to and from the west. After the trial had concluded, the GWR would send 4079 “Pendennis Castle” to the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley for its return in 1925; the LNER once again sending 4472 “Flying Scotsman”. The GWR attending with a notice proclaiming their ‘Castle’ Class to be the “most powerful express passenger locomotive in Britain”. For the LNER, lessons learned from the trials would lead to developments and improvements on their A1 pacifics, which would see improved members classified as A3s. “Flying Scotsman”, then numbered 103, would be so treated in January 1947. Alongside the starring pair, 5051 "Drysllwyn Castle" would also spend time on display to cover for 4079 operating on the main demonstration line, providing the fortuitous chance to capture the trio outside the engine shed. 1340 "Trojan" would work services on the demonstration branch line. The date of recording, 18th of May 2025, would mark 100 years to the day since 4079 was unveiled at the British Empire Exhibition in 1925. Locomotives: GWR 4073 'Castle' Class - 4079 "Pendennis Castle" Ex-LNER A3 Class - 60103 "Flying Scotsman" GWR 4073 'Castle' Class - 5051 "Drysllwyn Castle" Ex-Messrs Dunn & Shute of Newport Town Dock Avonside - 1340 "Trojan" 00:00 - 4079 & 60103 on shed 00:43 - 4079 moving off shed 02:19 - 4079 Main Demonstration Line 05:09 - 60103 & 5051 on shed 06:00 - Engine Shed 06:46 - 60103, 5051, & 4079 on shed 07:12 - 4079 moving off shed 08:24 - 1340 Demonstration Branch Line 09:43 - 60103 & 4079 on shed 12:34 - 60103 & 5051 Engine Shed All footage filmed on Sunday the 18th of May 2025.