As promised we had a steam double header, The Cathedrals Express, through Milton on Saturday hauled by two Black Fives 44871 and 45407 going from Southend to Norwich. Although it was a cold day we were blessed with a blue sky and bright sunshine so we had a good turn out and people were taking photos and video.

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Photo by Elizabeth Oldham

You can find more photos here in a new Flickr group Milton Level Crossing (and please feel free to add your own photos if you have any and you’re a Flickr member).

James Borderick also took a 240fps video using an iPhone 6 plus so he’s got a rather fine slow motion close up video of the train passing that gives a good view of the valve gear working away. You can view that here on Dropbox.

We did say previously that this train, probably pulled by the same locos, will be back on Tuesday and Thursday next week. Sadly that’s no longer the case. Due to industrial action by the Fire Brigade Union Tuesday’s train will be diesel hauled (and is now only going as far as Ely, not Peterborough). The operators are currently trying to source a heritage diesel to haul it.

However Thursday’s train should still be hauled by the same double header as today all being will for its first passing. It’s provisionally scheduled to depart Ely at 08:45 heading south so it should cross our level crossing at around 09:00. Sadly it will be diesel hauled in the evening and it’s provisionally scheduled to depart Cambridge at 21:45 so should cross again at about 21:50.

If you are intending to go down to see the train on Wednesday it will be worth checking milton-chat or @MiltonNews for any updates on Tuesday as these times may change.