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A good few years ago, steam was common on the Hereford - Shrewsbury line, in the shape of the "Welsh Marches Express" (later "Pullman"). A regular performer on those trains was 6000 "King George V". 6000 has retired from such activities, and resides in Swindon; in the meantime 6024 "King Edward I" sees regular main line trips. Today no. 6024 would be visiting Shropshire, heading up the "North and West" to Shrewsbury, then after a break, heading east along the Shrewsbury - Wolverhampton line.

The day was dull and intermittently rainy - I nearly turned back shortly after leaving home, and as I approached Craven Arms, I'd more-or-less decided I'd just find somewhere to watch it from the car. But it stopped - so here are the results. It was nearly 25 minutes late as it passed Stokesay, and the rain was just starting again - raindrops can be heard hitting the video camera in the first video clip...

For the return trip I went to Wellington, where the through roads enable a decent view of the train in the reasonably-photogenic station. It was pretty crowded when I got there - my first choice would have been the other platform, but in retrospect I made the right choice, even if I did have to squat almost on the ground... The run past Stokesay had been slow and steady, barely 20mph - I learned later there's a PW restriction a little to the south. The run through Wellington, in the low 50s, was truly dramatic - the reactions of the ordinary passengers were worth watching (see the lady jumping up and down, on the extreme right of the video clip...). It was early too - I barely had time to switch on the video camera. The clip should have been a little longer, though I think I got the best bit...

(Page published 7.00pm, 13/5/06 - shortly before the train was due to leave New Street, on the run back to Bristol - gosh!)

Video Clips:
all 360 x 288, Windows Media

	Stokesay 6024 works the heavy train slowly northwards... 1,961k; 1m 30s
	Wellington ...and bursts dramatically upon the scene at Wellington. Main line steam at its best! 588k; 26s

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