Bittern renamed 4492 Dominion of New Zealand at Kings Cross 16 April 2011

For DVDs of Bittern see below.
In a ceremony on Platform 7 at Kings Cross on 16 April 2011 hosted by owner Jeremy Hosking, A4 Pacific Bittern is renamed 4492 Dominion of New Zealand by Derek Leask, New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK. The engine was making its inaugural run in its new livery hauling the first leg of the Railway Touring Company's week long Great Britain IV tour from London to the north of Scotland and back. The ceremony was a recreation of an event held 74 years previously in June 1937 when the original 4492 was named by the then High Commissioner, Bill Jordan. It was the first time since the start of the Second World War that one of Sir Nigel Gresley's famous A4 Pacifics had been seen leaving Kings Cross wearing the full LNER garter blue livery with side valances and chrome trimming. The original Dominion of New Zealand was one of five "Empire" engines built to haul the Coronation express between London and Edinburgh introduced in 1937 to mark the Coronation of King George VI who was recently portrayed in the Oscar winning film The Kings Speech. The other "Empire" engines, Dominions of Canada and Austrailia, Union of South Africa, and Empire of India were all named in similar ceremonies at Kings Cross after being built at Doncaster Works in less than six months. All of them are of the same design as the world famous Mallard which still holds the world speed record for a steam locomotive, 126 mph on Stoke Bank north of Peterborough in 1938. Bittern's "re-branding" as 4492 has been masterminded by chief engineer Roland Kennington and his staff and volunteer team at Southall during a three month winter overhaul. A donation of £10,000 was made to the Christchurch Earthquake appeal by Locomotive 60019 Ltd, Railway Touring Company, Tower Assurance NZ and the team at Southall. For opportunities to see and ride behind Dominion of New Zealand visit www.uksteam.info/tours/trs11.htm.
A series of five DVD's of 60019 Bittern on tours in 2010 are currently available from Ian Allan Book Shops and www.eagle-eye-products.com. They show the engine in its Brunswick Green livery hauling the The Palatine, The GB III,
The Coronation Parts 1 & 2 and The Cathedrals Express over the Settle and Carlisle. A full length programme on the transformation of Bittern into Dominion of New Zealand and another featuring it's first run on the GB IV to Newcastle will be available later in the year.

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[ClassA4Mallard]

@123cbaism

It was going to York I think. The Second tender acutally carries only water, so It's so it can have less water stops.

[ClassA4Mallard]

Great video! I have never seen this loco but I hopefullly will see it soon!

[BenReillyUK]

bittern has been jinksed for too long. a new name is needed.

[GreatWestern175]

@ukfordfan yes there were 60009 Union of South Africa (which is preserved) 60010 Dominion of Canada (also preserved but in Montreal, Canada) 60011 Empire of India, 60012 Commonwealth of Australia and 60013 Dominion of New Zealand which is seen here as 4492.

[ukfordfan]

As a Kiwi, I feel really chuffed about this renaming of this fantastic engine. I know that there was also one named Australia, also South Africa, & maybe Canada ? ...not too sure, but someone here will know, for sure !

[TrainGunz]

What a delight to see Rolland Kennington is still involved with steam preservation. The man deserves a Knighthood. The dedication he had for Flying Scotsman whilst in Australia was outstanding, and the hours he spent into the late night to maintain her was something to witness. His patience and understanding toward people who shared his passion was exceptional. The days I spent with Flying Scotsman running the on train refreshments (in Victoria) and this man will always be cherished

[burnley5960]

Who says The commonwealth is dead Rule Britania

[burnley5960]

And what a grand Name

[burnley5960]

A4 At Kings Cross Deep Joy

[mitchy754]

@RocksNotDead101 yes, by the looks of it, she is going to be named Bittern and numbered 4464 :)