60800 - GREEN
ARROW Crewe Station 28th & 29th December
2000
I had no idea that Green
Arrow was in service or available on these two days, there is
little I can say other than conditions were as near perfect as
you can get them. Few comments because I believe the photographs
set the scene.
Having seen Green
Arrow the day before, I was surprised to see it again, parked
in a short siding normally reserved for AC electrics. Plenty
of steam again with the temperature around -6 degrees. 29/12/2000
It was waiting to take
on water before turning on the Basford triangle to head for Bury
and the East Lancashire Railway. As steam was released it immediately
froze and gave the impression of billions of small diamonds sparkling
in the sunlight - just like the Beatles' Lucy I guess! 29/12/2000
The crew hooked their
hose up to the hydrant on platform 12 and coupled it to a novel
filler on the tender, no climbing on the coals to fill here with
25k volts just above. 29/12/2000
If it were of LMS origin
it would have looked good - just joking. 29/12/2000
NOW I know why Crewe station has an open
roof. 29/12/2000
Cylinder drains fully
opened and 60800 heads for Basford Hall triangle, very entertaining.
28/12/2000
The locomotive
reversed off the Chester line with its support coach and coupled
on to the train which had been brought in by a class 47 diesel.
28/12/2000
There was much clearing
of water from the cylinders. 28/12/2000
The display continued.
28/12/2000
Spot the Green
Arrow if you can. 28/12/2000
Time to settle down.
28/12/2000
Blower on to replace
the lost steam. 28/12/2000
Away and the cylinders
are cleared again. In view of the amount of blowing I assume
that the low ambient temperature causes steam to quickly condense
in the cylinders which can prove fatal to a steam locomotive
if not ejected. 28/12/2000
Smoke and steam. 28/12/2000
Crewe Station as
seen in the 1950's!!! (if you ignore the parentage). 28/12/2000