The Duchess on tour

[Admin]

The Duchess of Sutherland, LMS No 6233 passed through Kidsgrove this morning en-route to Blackpool hauling the 'Fylde Coast Express' Railtour service.

I intended to catch her at Kidsgrove Station but on rolling up it was too crowded with like-minded snappers so I made my way to the foot-crossing at Red Bull Inn and I was on my own there. Of course when she arrived she was picking up speed and it was difficult to snap a decent shot but I have three which are below. Hope you like them. She really IS a beautiful machine.

[Kosh (Doug Mobley)]

Well something came steaming past me (Blythe Bridge, junction of 'the other local steam railway') yesterday, but I didn't see what it was. That could've been it too, maybe? Or does anyone have any ideas? It was heading Derby-wards when I saw it.

[Admin]

Hi Doug.

On it's return to Derby I would guess it would have been about 8.40pm when it passed Blythe Bridge, as it was running late and it passed Kidsgrove at 8.15pm.

[Admin]

Further to the photos of the Duchess passing through Kidsgrove, my good friend Janice, who lives in Poulton-le-Fylde, also took a couple of shots for me and I am showing them here.

Many thanks Janice.

[Admin]

Re the Duchess of Sutherland steam train trip on Saturday. It was pulling the rake of coaches all the way up to Blackpool, facing the right way and on it's return it was pulling it back, again facing the right way. But what puzzled me was HOW did they turn the engine round to face the other way?

There are no turntables at Blackpool or Preston that Iknow of. And there are no 'reversing' 'Y' junctions either. The nearest one that I know of is at Carnforth, many miles north of Preston. And that may be lifted now.

So how on earth did they turn her round?


Then it occured to me.


THIS is how they turned the Duchess round...



(Scroll down....)


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