A Tribute to Number 9. - a photo on Flickriver

            A personal Tribute to Number 9.

"Union of South Africa" was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built at Doncaster works in 1937. Originally allocated the number 4488 and the name "Osprey", the locomotive entered service at Haymarket depot in Edinburgh, which was it's home until May 1962 when she was transferred to Aberdeen. 4488 was a member of the 35 strong A4 class, built to work such trains as "The Coronation" and "The Flying Scotsman", sister engine 4468 (60022) "Mallard" became the fastest steam locomotive in the world in 1938 achieving 126mph, a record which still stands today. On the formation of British Railways in 1948, the loco was given the number 60009, but has always been know as simply "Number 9". "Union" had the honour of hauling the last steam train out of Kings Cross on October24th 1964 with the "Jubilee Requiem" railtour to Newcastle, on the return journey she hit 96mph down Stoke Bank. The locomotive was withdrawn from BR service in June 1966, having run in the region of 1.9 million miles. She was saved from the scrap man by Mr John Cameron, who has run her ever since. 
On a personal note, Number 9 has been in my life since around 1992, I was 11 at the time. I first remember seeing her on the Severn Valley Railway and she has almost been a constant in my life ever since. They say all good things must come to an end, and this is true of my relationship with Number 9 after around 30 years of seeing her on heritage railways and on the mainline she is going into permanent retirement.
I have to say a MASSIVE Thank You to John Cameron and his support team without who I would have no memories of the locomotive at all. 
I am going to miss her dearly.
   

Taken on: March 8, 2020

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