Caley 123

It's amazing to think now but back in 1963 I actually saw this engine double-heading a GNSR 4-4-0 an enthusiast's special on the London to Brighton main line fast tracks! It was bringing a train back up from the Bluebell line which in those days was connected to the rest of the UK rail system at Horstead Keynes. And boy were they shifting too - maybe 75 mph! It was a sight for sore eyes ...

Now sadly Caledonian 123 languishes as a static exhibit in the Glasgow Museum of Transport but these engines were built for sprinting. Back in the 1880's when exprss trains were light 'single-wheelers' were in vogue - some time soon I must write about the Anglo-Scottish 'races' of 1888 in which this engine took part.

The 'Caley' main line ran north from the English border at Carlisle to Glasgow with a branch off to Edinburgh at Carstairs. I just love that Caledonian blue livery with red trimmings, perhaps I'll build a model of one of their engines just for the pleasure of watching that brillian blue circling my garden in the sunshine.