I was lucky enough not to be working on the opening day of Railfest 2012 and booked my ticket months ago. In fact when I booked my ticket there wasn't really that much announced about it so maybe it was a risk. But as time went on it sounded better and better so by the time I went I was really looking forward to it.
I drove up to Derby with my wife and we stayed with my mother in law on the Friday. Initially it was me going to York on my own but my wife wanted to go too (York not Railfest!). This was fine but she didn't like my plan but that was tough. I had planned to get to York with time to get breakfast before the event started. And the bit she didn't like? It meant 2 changes of train! Only direct trains are XC ones and I've been on all of them so wanted to avoid them!
So we left Derby at 0607 on a winning 222001. Part one of my plan worked! I didn't know there was engineering works in the area an much to my surprise we left derby in the wrong direction. This was good. Next question was which way would we go? To my delight we went past Toton. New track within 20 odd minutes of leaving Derby. Nice! I also managed to spot winners at Toton. Although travelling at speed and trying to get the numbers was a tad tricky! I managed to see two new 66s and a 60. The move around of locos there recently was good for me as it meant I could now see a once before hidden 60! There were quite a few freightliner 66s there which must be to do with the HOBC train. We soon joined the the normal route to Sheffield at Chrsterfield. From here I expected the normal route to Sheffield. But once again we diverted. Brilliant! This time we headed off towards Barrow Hill. I had done this bit recently but not beyond the turn back point of the lines just off the depot. So more winning route as we went round Sheffield and came back into it from the North. Fantastic day so far and we weren't even at York!
Time at Sheffield to grab a quick cup of tea. It was then onto 144009 to Doncaster. Winner for sight and obviously haulage. Part two of my plan worked! At Doncaster we waited for the Edinburgh train to York. It was rammed but luckily it's only 20 odd minutes to stand! It was also a winning 91 in the form of 91132. That's Part 3 of my plan working!
Upon arrival at York we headed to the Punch Bowel for Breakfast. Was a good breakfast ad set me up. Been a long time since my bowel of Coco Pops at 0500! Me and my wife then went separate ways with. Me heading back to the station.
Once at the NRM I was so glad I bought a ticket already! The queues were stupidly long already!
Once inside I saw for the first time in my life my favourite Steam train! The 'City of Truro'! Why is it my favourite? I guess it was in the GWR and carries the name of the city I was born. It was being used for train rides so I'd be able to get haulage off of it too!
First up though was 43159, the fastest diesel locomotive in the world. Been a long time since I'd been in the cab of an HST. And then for comparison, 41001. The HST prototype power car. Now being refurbished it was back at the NRM from Neville Hill for Railfest. The cabs were very different but 159s cab had been changed quite a bit after the life extension work done on it!
I then queued to cab 60007, Sir Nigel Gresley. Fantastic because it had a lit fire (as I later found out a lot of the steam exhibits did!).
I then saw 57604 and my first disappointment of the day. It was not available for cabbing. I then realised there were lots of exhibits like this.
I worked my way round a few more steam engine cabs and soon a
Came across 91110. This was the star of the show and was due to be named later on as the opening to Railfest. It was currently under a massive cover. I moved on towards the edge of the site where I saw 221144, the 2 car voyager was on display. I wasn't bothered about cabbing this as this had been done last year at central rivers. Infact i'd been in the cab as it moved round central rivers under its own power. Star of that day was also 57308, Tin Tin. Bizarrely the last time I saw 57308 she was attached to 221144 dragging it round central rivers. Today they were attached at the NRM! I did cab the 57.
Nearby was newly acquired and painted 57309. Now in DRS livery. The cab was not open which was disappointing. It was then time to head back to 91110 for its naming ceremony.
The whole ceremony took about 1 hour 15 minutes. 91110 was to be named Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. It included a full new livery for the train and all was to be revealed with a flypast by a Hurricane, Spitfire and Lancaster. In my opinion it was very well put together and didn't feel at any point like it dragged. Carol Vorderman who works closely with the charity was given the duty of revealing the name and new livery.
I like it. I have taken quite a few photos of the train but also grabbed one on my iPhone. I uploaded this I Flickr straight away but will upload the rest when I get home.
After this it was time to head back towards the Edge of the site again. There was a GBRF 66 and 92 (92 new for sight) but no access to the cabs. Also present was a DRS 20 and recently released from Barrow Hill 37. Again no cab access. I did get access to two more steam engines and 56312.
I now needed some food. I grabbed an expensive (but nice!) cheeseburger. I also got a pint of Flying Scotsman. The Flying Scotsman was present in its war time black livery. A photo was got but that wasn't easy and therefore not that great!
Next up was a cab visit to a GWR 4500 Class. This was more like it! I had to actually climb into the cab! And the same with the next cab visit! The Duchess of Hamilton. Apparently they hadn't quite finished getting the steps ready!
After that I paid a visit to 395019s cab! I was nearly done now! I had an hour left before meeting my wife! So I headed back to where the 'City of Truro' was running. On the way I saw 55002 and it has steps leading to it but a closed sign. It turns out the steps were at the wrong end due to only one cab nearly finished. I was fortunate enough though to be allowed in the good end. It meant another climb (good!) but got the cab in! Thanks to the guy at the NRM who allowed this!
It was now my ride behind No 2012 Teddy and then 'City of Truro'. I need to get a longer ride at some point but for now this will do!
That was pretty much everything to see and do. I had a quick look round the trade stands and then had a quick scoot round the main museum. It was then off to meet my wife. We had about an hour and half till our train back. So we headed to the second Wetherspoons for a pint.
After that is was time for heading back to Derby. This was a two train trip. In rolled a dud Meridian 222006! Part 4 of the plan foiled! A change (after passing Toton again) was required at East Midlands Parkway. Part 5 of the plan was good! So 4 out 5 trains were winners! Good going!
So a fantastic day done and dusted! I've been in plenty of cabs (shame it wasn't more). Not been in this many since open days from when I was a kid. And I managed a fair few on stations in those days. Got 7 winners including 'City of Truro' and new track! Next up Mazey Day. One tour now cancelled but two left to try and get on!
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