History[]
The LNER Class A4 4488 Union of South Africa is an LNER Class A4 4-6-2 steam locomotive. It is one of six surviving Gresley A4s, and is currently operational and mainline certified until April 2019 when it will be permanently withdrawn.
Built by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) in 1937 at Doncaster and originally numbered 4488, it was named after the then newly formed Union of South Africa.
It had previously been allocated the name Osprey on April 17, 1937, but was renamed Union of South Africa to operate the Coronation streamlined train. It eventually carried the name Osprey in the 1980s and 1990s.
The locomotive subsequently operated railtours on the line throughout September. In 2017, John Cameron announced that No. 60009 and his other locomotive No. 61994 The Great Marquess were to be withdrawn at the end of 60009's boiler ticket in 2019 and placed in the 'Farming and Railway Visiting Centre' in Fife, Scotland. 60009's mainline certification expired in March 2020, but due to the worldwide COVID-19 lockdown, its boiler ticket was extended to April 2022. However, on October 5, 2021, No. 60009 was officially retired from excursion service, nearly seven months than originally scheduled, due to what was later determined to be leaky boiler tubes. No. 60009 will subsequently be placed on permanent display at a museum in Fife, Scotland; a return to excursion service is unlikely.
Trivia[]
- It was briefly renamed Osprey during part of the 1980s and 1990s due to political opposition against apartheid South Africa at the time.
- In March 2019 a 12 month extension on the boiler certificate was granted.
- It hauled the last booked steam-hauled train from London King's Cross on 24 October 1964 .
- It was the last steam locomotive to be overhauled at Doncaster whilst in still in active service in November 1963.
- It was withdrawn from it's British Railways service on 1 June 1966.
Gallery[]
