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Happy Birthday Beastie
Today, the 28th of May 2011 is the 60th anniversary of No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” entering traffic in 1951. The day could be described as “a bit of a wahshout”: the first bit unb fact, where we clean her out, remove the self-cleaning screens from the smokebox, drain the boiler and remove the plugs ready for the actual washout.
I didn’t realise that it was Cromwell’s Birthday until I heard Nick whistling a well known tune as he helped with the washout preparations. Once he’d reminded us we all wished Cromwell a very happy birthday - and carried on with the work – well she probably wouldn’t have appreciated balloons, cake and candles so a good clean out and some fitting work seem a much better celebration of the day.
Cromwell’s sister engine, No. 70000 “Britannia” was there for part of the day – in steam, ready for a light engine trip to the West Country, but left at around 11am. You will probably say that I am biased, but I do think that 70013 looks better than the other one (I’m allowed to say that today – it’s her birthday!)
By Info | Saturday, May 28, 2011 | Tags : 70013