60009 Union of South Africa/Osprey

[34E]

Reading up on 60009 I see that it spent 1990/91 under the name Osprey. Apparently this was due to the tensions caused by apartheid, but as this was the period when it was being dismantled, surely there must be another reason for the change?

[FLYINGFISH]

Hi

I most certainly agree with this comment, the process to end all of this had already begun as I know I had just left
the South African Air Force not long before this when this was the talk of the day.

Regards,

FLYINGFISH

[coachmann]

It ran as 60009 Osprey (pictured near Deganwy) and 60027 Merlin in the autumn of 1991. The latter is seen approaching Llandudno Junction on 1st September complete with the badge of the Admiralty Shore Establishment.

[Deepol]

Photos of her in 1983 in the Glasgow suburbs at Cardonald heading to Ayr with a ScotRail sponsored excursion and at Springburn on a driver training run 10 years later (!!!) in 1993. Fare paying passengers were carried at a nominal rate.

[Saint Johnstoun]

John Cameron himself told me the renaming was political, although by the time it happened as has already been said things had eased somewhat.

9 of course was originally named Osprey but renamed before entering service in 1937.

[Deepol]

No.9 taking the inaugural Up Morning Talisman away from Waverley in June 1957. Remarkably 47 miles to the West another loco which is also still with us, 46229 had taken the inaugural Caledonian away from Glasgow Central.

[Solario]

Does anyone know if the fireman was a relative of the Haymarket driver Jim Swan?

Jim Swan was the first driver to run non-stop from Waverley to Kings X via Galashiels thus setting the British, if not world, non-stop record of 408 miles. He, of course, would drive the first leg of the run, but that was critical because the bridge washouts (in 1948) near Eyemouth meant that he had to conserve water to get the 92 miles to Lucker troughs instead of the 75 miles by the normal ECML. I guess that record still stands in the UK, probably for any form of traction.

[kieranhardy]

Rather than make a new thread, thought i'd post it in here, someone has posted shots of No. 9 the day before yesterday looking very smart:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/iangater/

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Nice, very nice. Pity she won't stay like that for long....

[manna]

G'Day Gents

I wonder how much they want for 60009's old cabside's !!!!

manna

[60800]

I was wondering that too Manna

One would look very nice on my wall for sure

[jamieP]

G'Day Gents

I wonder how much they want for 60009's old cabside's !!!!

manna

I beleave one of them will be heading to JC house to be put on the wall. Not sure about the other tho. I shall ask next time im up.

On another note no9 had a very good run to Holyhead on Sunday arriving there bang on time and arriving back at Crewe 13 early.

She is today on the THE MERSEY MOORLANDER (http://uksteam.info/tours/t12/t0723a.htm) at Preston now waiting departure time.

Jamie