The Duchess Whistles and Gallops through Grantham at Full Regulator - 16/12/21

Описание: *This is just a short clip taken from the video earlier of 44871 and 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland'. As the performance was so good, I felt it warranted it's own separate upload.

Thursday 16th December and 'The Christmas White Rose I' railtour was to be hauled by LMS Black Five No. 44871 and LMS Princess Coronation Class No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland, the outward being worked by the 5MT and the return by the Duchess. The train originated in Cambridge and travelled through Ely and March to reach Peterborough, the first water stop being at Whittlesea. Running via Spalding, Sleaford - water stop number two - Lincoln and Gainsborough, this would take the train Doncaster for a third water stop. From there York would be reached via the ECML. The return route followed the direct ECML route to Peterborough through Doncaster, Retford, Newark - first water stop - and Grantham before retracing its steps from Peterborough back to Cambridge with another water stop at Ely.


In this short video, we are at Grantham station, a new location for me and one I'd been eager to try out for a long time. The station was surprisingly well lit given the sun had set more than three hours before the Duchess was due. Whilst waiting for 6233, LNER Class 82 82205 in Flying Scotswoman livery gives a cheerful hoot to some nearby track workers before racing passed at 99.04mph working 1A45 Leeds to Kings Cross with Class 91 91107 'Skyfall' roaring away at the rear. A few photographers along with some general public had gathered on the down platform to see the Duchess. After some clanking from the rods and beating of the exhaust, 6233 begins a long blast on the Stanier hooter, signalling her imminent arrival. After the hooting ceases, she roars into the station with the regulator wide open, in readiness for the immediate 5 mile climb of 1-in-200 up to Stoke Summit. Thundering under the bridge, the exhaust from the chimney crescendos into an almighty baritone racket as the Duchess gallops passed at 60.47mph. The 12 coach train races through with Class 57 57316 doing little to assist the Big Lizzie on the climb towards Stoke.


I must confess, I had a short chat with 'Duchess of Sutherland''s driver at York, requesting a lively run through Grantham. He made no promises but to his credit, as is seen in the video, he did just that.

Driver Jim Clarke - top man!

Fantastic seeing the Duchess again on absolutely top form along the former foreign territory of the East Coast Mainline. I wonder what would happen to the World Speed Record if she wasn't restricted down Stoke Bank...


Filmed on a Panasonic TZ70.

Enjoy.