We think it’s been some years since we last saw LNER A4 class Pacifics No 60007 “Sir Nigel Gresley” and 60009 “Union of South Africa” and now they’re both coming through on the same day hauling the same train, although not at the same time.

Union of South Africa passing Milton in December 2007

“Union of South Africa” is hauling “The Christmas White Rose” from Cambridge to York this Saturday (1/12) and “Sir Nigel Gresley” is hauling it on the return leg that evening back to Cambridge.

The timings, according to The Railway Touring Company had the train leaving Cambridge at 08:30 and arriving back in Cambridge at 20:55 so we were anticipating being able to see 60009 in the daylight at least however they’ve now revised the departure time to 07:25 and the more detailed and timings on UKSteam Info have it scheduled to leave Cambridge at 06:37 so either way it’s barely going to be light when it passes the Fen Road level crossing a few minutes later. It’s also arriving back an hour later at 21:55 so 60007 will pass us at about 21:45.