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On the morning of 19th April, LNER A4 Class 4-6-2 locomotive No 60019 Bittern [4464] called at Radley pulling The Cathedrals Express special service from Banbury to Southampton. Steam trains on the line through Radley are not uncommon but it is very rare for them to stop. (The last steam train service making a scheduled stop was possibly as long ago as 1994.) On this occasion, it seems that Oxford Station was unable to accomodate the service, so transferring passengers had to board at Radley. The service was expected to have been drawn by LMS Princess Elizabeth [6201] but this engine failed the previous day and had to be replaced by Bittern. |
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Crowds on both platforms waiting for the train in the morning. |
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On time. The Cathedrals Express drawn by LNER A4 Class 4-6-2 No 60019 “Bittern” [4464] pulling into Radley Station to pick up passengers on its way to Southampton on the morning of 19 April 2012. |
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Pulling out of Radley Station, after picking up passengers,… |
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… and heading off southbound towards Didcot.
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| The morning service was bang on time. Unfortunately the returning service that evening was delayed by an hour, much to the discomfort of the many spectators waiting in the cold around the station. Nevertheless the engine enshrouded in steam was an impressive sight under the station lights. | |
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Late return. |
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Related Links |
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Steam Event at Radley
Permanent link to this article: http://www.radleyvillage.org.uk/steam-event-at-radley/
