As per title = Where is "THE" best place to be, to see THIS amazing beauty in just under a fortnight's time ?
It's due to appear at the M.N.R (Mid-Norfolk-Railway) & is supposed to be hauling the following trains in 2 weekends time
The Fast Fryer - Saturday 24th at 7pm
Cream Tea Special - Sunday 25th at 3:30pm
I've NO interest in traveling on the train itself, inside the carriages - that holds ZERO interest to me.....
I'm ONLY interested in seeing the 1930's LNER A4 Gresley 60009 Union of South Africa, engine running, itself = Just the engine only.
By that, I don't care "if" the carriages are attached - I just wanna see, hear & photograph the octogenarian-engine & enjoy it's art-deco' look
Given the limited reports I've (ever) heard about the M.N.R, it can sometimes be a (little) bit shambolic, as it's run/staffed by volunteers.
Whilst THEY might run the station/stuff, they DON'T run THIS engine. - Trip-Advisor is NOT kind, regarding their "lack of notification"
I've only ever been to Dereham platform ONCE (it was deserted) & I found it both memorable, enjoyable & what few staff were there, were helpful.
Thing is, on the "Ale Trail" day, it MIGHT be a bit chaotic, as Beer festivals bring all sorts to the fray, not just railway-nerds (Guilty, both counts
)Having NEVER been there on a busy 'event' day, I would imagine that Dereham Station itself might just be a packout....... (Sat/Sun).
From what limited I gather, it would appear that this (superb) "Mallard" type engine, is ONLY gonna be there Sat-Eve' & Sun-Aft'rnoon
My plan is to take a decent camera & HOPEFULLY get some shots of this otherwise "rare beast", as I've only ever seen the "Mallard" twice**
(** some 35-45 years ago)
Ideologically, it would be nice to see & find '60009' somewhere along the line (no crowds?), passing thru, or maybe at another station ?
Having a distinct lack of (overall) general-knowledge of THAT area (Dereham to Wymondham), I'd like to ask ANYONE here on K.L.F
Can you (having had any prior experience), recommend, or suggest any particular place to see this superb beast, without huge crowds ?
I know there ARE a few vantage points along the way, I only traversed it ONCE, a few summers ago, yet could only find ONE as ideal
( it's name escapes me, as I type this, but I will return, once the penny drop in the old beer-addled-cogs
)Folks reading this will (naturally) say "Ring 'Em" = BUT
Station & M.N.R staff have NO control (directly, as I'm aware), over the jurisdiction of the engine - So, am guessing phone-calls will be vague
I'd rather chance my luck on intuition (worked well in past), or, on the recommendation of ANY M.N.R users here, who can suggest good location(s).
I think the biggest thing for me, is "it's" arrival-time, as I'm sure the crowds WILL flock around it (it's due for boiler-overhaul, hence 'last-chance')
Don't much see the point in getting there super-early on Saturday-morn', only to find it won't arrive, till, say 5 or 6 in the late-afternoon.
If anyone here (coz I know we have some railway-buffs), has ANY inside info' as to it's arrival time (Hi G.T.71
), I'd be SO grateful !!!!!!!Am certain that there are a few on here who've visited the M.N.R in prev' years & may/might suggest some arrival-times & viewing spots.
Lastly, here's a shot I took, on Dereham's own platform, during my (so far), first & only visit.... Deserted, which I doubt it'll be when 60009 arrives
