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Ready for Action 60 Years On.
Once again, a team of our rusty volunteers went to Southall over the weekend to finish off the washout on 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”, sort out a few fettling jobs and get her ready for her next main line trip. (You may think that I’ve put a typo in that first sentence, but believe me, rust is the least of what you end up covered in when you do a washout!)
The report I got back after the team arrived home said that after the washout the loco was examined and found to be “OK”. 5305la has a strong contingent of Yorkshiremen, we don’t do superlatives, so “OK” actually means that 70013 is ready for her next main line trip on the 18th of June. On the 18th (less than 2 weeks time) Cromwell will be winging her way down to Minehead from Paddington with the West Somerset Explorer for RTC www.railwaytouring.co.uk.
Two weeks later (2nd of July) the Railway Touring Company are having a celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Britannias taking over the services on the Great Eastern Main Line. On behalf of RTC, 70013 will take a train out of Liverpool Street, on the GE up to Norwich with a return to Liverpool Street via Bishops Stortford . As a Norwich engine, which is also celebrating her 60th year, it is extremely fitting that Cromwell should be hauling this train through her natural habitat. Liverpool Street – Norwich – Bishops Stortford – Liverpool Street is a great route as the engine has a chance to stretch her legs, with a few gradients thrown in for good measure to allow her to bark. This is the sort of area that the Brits were designed for, and for which they are superbly suited. Why not treat yourself – it would be a great pity to miss out on the chance to celebrate Cromwell’s Birthday in such fine style – bring a friend, a few beers and maybe a cake and enjoy the Nation’s finest doing what she does best. As always, tickets are available through RTC’s website – go on, you know you want to!
By Info | Monday, June 6, 2011 | Tags : 70013