ShEd plan’S oFF – Could ‘numbEr ninE’ Carry on?

Could there be a working reprieve for Union of South Africa? Owner John Cameron has not ruled that out, following Fife Council’s rejection of plans for an exhibition hall to house the ‘A4’ after its ‘ticket’ expires part-way through next season.

“We have to wait and see!” John responded when asked if that decision might mean No. 60009 carries on, or alternatively whether it and already-retired ‘K4’ No. 61994 might be displayed somewhere other than his farm.

However… do not think this means the former Scottish Region chairman has given up his long-held intention to put his LNER machines on static display at home: John says his farm scheme trustees will appeal the council’s rejection of planning permission – and that a decision could come “hopefully by January.”

In its decision, announced on October 4, Fife Council said the proposed development “would result in the loss of prime agricultural land” and was “not in keeping with the surrounding countryside”.

The submission included a shed for ‘Number Nine’, The Great Marquess and support coach to be displayed side-by-side on the farm at Balbuthie, north of the Firth of Forth.