Whistlestopper
The late-afternoon Autumn light was beginning to fade on Saturday 17th November 2024 as 45407 "The Lancashire Fusilier" stormed towards the platforms at Armathwaite station at the head of the return of a Northern Belle railtour. The 'Black 5' was built in 1937 by the Armstrong Whitworth Company at Newcastle but spent a considerable amount of time working on the Midland Mainline based out of various sheds in the midlands. It was withdrawn in August 1968 having spent the last 3 months of its career based out of Lostock Hall shed near Preston. It was purchased by David Davis and moved to Carnforth for restoration where it was bought by Paddy Smith to operate railtours. In 1997 it was bought by Ian Riley and is currently used by West Coast Railways on the Jacobite services in Scotland during the summer and a selection of railtours during the winter. #trainspotting #lineside #station #train #steam #Black5 #NorthernBelle #45407
