Home»All Photographs»Year Albums»2023»December»2023_12_13 Worcester Christmas Express

“The Worcester Christmas Express” on Wednesday 13th December was the last opportunity to photograph BR(ER) A3 Class 7P 4-6-2 60103 FLYING SCOTSMAN at work with a main line excursion in its Centenary Year, 2023. The weather forecast was frankly diabolical and the schedule was such that the only way I could be sure of two locations was either side of the water stop at Humberstone Road, Leicester. My first location was where the A607 road crosses the railway between East Goscote and Syston East Junction. Just before the train came into view it started to rain quite hard but this did clear the light fog to some extent. It was a case of wind-up the ISO and hope for the best. The train was a few minutes late and, after a long walk back to the car, I set off hoping to see the train again on Burbage Common. With heavy traffic on the A46/M1/M69 I judged it more prudent not to venture beyond Hinkley just in case the water stop was cut in order to regain a few minutes of lost time. It remained fine, just, when the train approached Hinkley Station and the locomotive was steaming well. In the dull, damp conditions those hated German style smoke deflectors were doing their job well. The NRM have not negotiated a new operating contract for Flying Scotsman from 1st January 2024, so it’s farewell friend for the foreseeable future; who knows possibly for ever!