Steam Giants on the Move

Three Pacifics move to Mid-Hants Railway

Stars Gather for Autumn Steam Gala

An amazing light engine movement on October 20 saw three of Britain's most powerful steam locomotives run together on the main line.

A1 Class No. 60163 'Tornado', Britannia Class No. 70000 'Britannia' and A4 Class No. 60019 'Bittern' (running as scrapped classmate No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand') ran with two support coaches from Southall, west London, to Alton in Hampshire. All three locos were in steam and providing power.

The three Pacifics were making their way to the Mid-Hants Railway to play a starring role in the Autumn Steam Spectacular event there on October 28-30. They were routed via Kensington Olympia, Staines, Woking and Guildford before running on to the MHR at Alton.

The formation ran as 5Z63/11.30 from West Coast Railway's Southall depot, although it was around 30 minutes late leaving due to a track circuit failure. The locos made a colourful spectacle travelling along the South Western main line with their respective green, black and blue liveries.

External Links

• Watercress Line
• A1 Steam