LNER 60009 Union of South Africa
60009 Union of South Africa was a former SVR resident, having first arrived in 1990 but being referred to as a 'guest' until 1995. The locomotive left in 2006.
The A4 Class of streamlined 4-6-2 ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive was designed in 1935 by Nigel (later Sir Nigel) Gresley, the LNER CME. The locomotives were used to haul express passenger trains on the East Coast Main Line route from London Kings Cross via York and Newcastle to Edinburgh, Scotland. One of the class, 4468 Mallard, holds the world record as the fastest steam locomotive.
60009 Union of South Africa was built at Doncaster in 1937. The locomotive was originally numbered 4488 and was to have been named ‘Osprey’ (Mallard and Bittern are the other surviving A4s named after birds), but was out-shopped as Union of South Africa after the newly formed Union. 4488 originally carried streamlined valances, but these were removed in 1942. Post-War the locomotive was renumbered 9 by the LNER in 1946; following nationalisation BR changed this to 60009.
Union of South Africa worked out of the Edinburgh Haymarket and Aberdeen sheds until withdrawn by BR in June 1966, and was purchased by John Cameron in July of the same year. The locomotive first arrived on the SVR in 1990, receiving repairs and working main line tours until 1995 while being referred to as a 'guest'. In autumn 1995 SVR News referred to the locomotive for the first time as part of the SVR ‘home fleet’, in which status it remained until leaving the SVR in 2006 to join John Cameron’s locomotive 61994 The Great Marquess in Scotland.
60009 returned for Gala appearances in spring 1992 and autumn 1994 while still a 'guest' locomotive.
Sources
SVR News
See also
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