It’s all over for ‘Union’

away from its final planned gala appearance before permanent withdrawal, A4 Pacific 60009 Union of South Africa failed with a leaking tube and cracked firebox on October 4.

The nature of the failure means repairs are not economically viable. It was due to star at the East Lancashire Railway’s Autumn Gala on October 15-17, where it has been resident for the final months of its boiler certificate.

It had been hoped to nurse the locomotive, owned by John Cameron, through to a farewell on January 3, 2022. Its boiler certificate expires in April.

It was known to be mechanically ‘tired’ after a decade of work following its last overhaul at Crewe. Instead, it was put on static display at Bury Bolton Street during the gala. It is planned to move it to Scotland for static display, hopefully in Fife.