York Railfest

An enjoyable day yesterday at the York Railfest, a special extravaganza running all week at the National Railway Museum in York. The museum itself was open as normal, but in the yard outside were gathered a large number of visiting exhibits, both preserved steam and diesel locomotives from many other museums, and some examples of modern rolling stock from serveral train operating companies. Many of the locomotives were in steam.

Although the star of the show was supposed to be the venerable No 4472 "Flying Scotsman", in the prime position stood a representative from a later generation of East Coast racehorses, Deltic "Alycidon". It's worth remembering that these locomotives have now been preserved for as long as they were in traffic.

Representing modern motive power were this pair of EWS General Motors products. In the background is one of Richard Branson's horrid Pendolinos.

All aboard the Hogwarts Express! Ex GWR "Olton Hall" painted maroon to star in the Harry Potter film. When she first received this livery, the purists went apoplectic.

One of the oldest visitors, Ffestiniog railways 2' gauge "Prince" dating from 1863, which gave visitors rides up and down a short section of track, coupled to a pair of vintage coaches. I wonder how much of the original locomotive is left after 141 years and at least four major rebuilds.