Not apparently obvious but this is the lead loco of the BR Standard Pacifics taken at Carlisle's Upperby shed in June 1964. In preservation of course now and in better external condition I'm sure!
Something has delayed her return. She was due in Exeter 30/10/2010, and I had plans to be there, but the train has now been taken over by 60019. First test runs will be without smoke deflectors somewhere around Crewe which is where she has been photographed with 70013 in the background. Not by me sadly.
70000 will have two mainline test runs tomorrow, 9/11, and Wednesday, 10/11. First revenue earning trip 3/12 Newcastle/Lincoln and return. All being well of course.
From "A Pictorial Record of British Railways Standard Steam Locomotives" by Edward Talbot, ISBN 0 86093 158 7, on my bookshelf: "The first BR Standard engine to be completed was No. 70000 Britannia in January 1951. After working trials between Crewe and Carlisle in plain black livery and without nameplates, No. 70000 re-entered Crewe Works to be painted in the standard livery of Brunswick green with orange and black lining and to have nameplates fitted."
It's very strange. The first run was Crewe - Warrington - Crewe and Crewe - Carnforth. The second run was down as Carn - Carn then Carn - Hellifield - Carn (loaded test run) then Carn - Crewe and the times were added after the canx was posted. The 3/12 trip on RYTC's website shows 70013 and the trip that was to be 70013's is now showing 60007 so has something happened or could Carnforth not do in time whatever she has gone there for? It's a mystery. I knew she was to be in black and as a by Tornado will be in Brunswick green after winter maintenance.
70000 on arrival at Carnforth was found to have a disintegrated right-hand cylinder gland packing hence she missed her loaded proving run. The test run might now be December so she might well miss her first booking. Meanwhile 70013's repairs are taking much longer than anticipated. She has been withdrawn from all mainline work for the forseeable future.
It's all going wrong sadly. She will now not be back on the mainline until spring next year. The same applies to 70013. 70000 has gone back to Crewe for a damaged piston rod to be re-machined and they will fit air brakes now instead of in the middle of 2011. When 70013 is ready she will go to the Great Central for running in. We keep hoping...
March is the month, Minehead is the place. 70000 will go from Crewe to the West Somerset Railway on a loaded test run before the Spring Gala and will then play a major part in the Gala along with LMS Pacific (4)6201.
Added by John Southall on 18 May 2010.