Iconic steam train passes through Alderley Edge

A crowd gathered at Alderley Edge Station on Saturday, 26th March, to see an iconic steam train passing through.

The Duchess of Sutherland steamed through the village at 4.40pm on its way to London Euston from Manchester following an all day tour.

46233 - The Duchess of Sutherland is a London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Princess Coronation Class steam engine built in 1938 in Crewe Works as a high speed express passenger locomotive. It hauled passenger services such as 'The Royal Scot' and 'The Mid-Day Scot' between London Euston and Glasgow Central as well as other expresses to Liverpool.
On 11 June 2002, the restored Duchess was the first steam locomotive to haul the Royal Train for 35 years, transporting Queen Elizabeth II on a tour to North Wales, from Holyhead to Llandudno Junction, as part of her Golden Jubilee. The trip also marked the 160th anniversary of the first Royal train in 1842.

Kelvin Briggs, Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group Chair, said "It was great to see so many people on the platform to see it pass through. There was a group of about twenty lads who swopped 'Super Car' photography on the village streets for a brief time on the platform capturing images of the Duchess! Both young and old folks enjoyed the experience."

David Fairbotham kindly sent us a photo the Duchess of Sutherland travelling over Twemlow Viaduct a few minutes later.