Black 5 45407 stops in Aldridge "The Chester Yuletide Express"

In the atrocious rain and dark weather around mid-day today, 45407 glides into Aldridge and comes to a halt alongside the former station site. After coaling and watering the train moves off towards Walsall and final destination Chester. As a safety feature I assume the adjoining up main line was blocked at the time as no other trains passed...

The loco is named "The Lancashire Fusilier".

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Black 5
• 45407
• Aldridge
• Walsall
• Sutton Park line
• Chester Yuletide Express
• Steam Express
• Steam beast
• Steam Feast
• Whistle
• Chester
• LMS Stanier
• 5MT
• The Lancashire Fusilier

[samthegreencat47]

shirley they could have found a better place to coal and water than this?what a ridicolous place!

[DownGrand1967]

Unusual yes, but not ridiculous. Don't forget there are no steam loco watering facilities on the modern rail network, this isn't the Severn Valley Railway ! Steamers which need to take on water have to use nearby hydrants or even fire engines... the operation seemed to run pretty well, the train made up 5 lost minutes by Walsall.

Also it gave local photographers some unique opportunities.

[mukkaspec]

What an odd place to water it ! ?.

Great vid !

[DownGrand1967]

There's a fire hydrant in the street on the right. Not sure if there is an access gate or whether the hose was thrown over the fence !

In the event of any problems restarting the train, the loco could have released the train brakes and coasted down to Walsall on the falling gradient...

[jammiebeasts]

Absolutely hellfire, well done!!

[DownGrand1967]

Cheers !

[DownGrand1967]

Thanks, i'll take a look...

[DownGrand1967]

Thank you.

[porter6669196327]

Brill Video.

I Was On That Tour Yesterday And A Great Tour it Was Aswell,The Black 5 Was Very Impressive On The WCML.

I Have A Few Videos On My Channel Of It.

[steamcylinder]

Excellent vid.