What did I just see - steam locomotive

[Vocal Minority]

Leaving London in the direction of Reading at around 12.30, and saw something interesting in a siding outside a shed near Ealing. I literally only saw it for a second, but it was in steam, and the very distinctive LNER blue.

I have only personally seen that colour on a4 pacific class engines before, to my very limited knowledge the only two wearing it currently are Mallard and Sir Nigel Gresley. As far as I am aware the boiler cert on the former is long expired?

So was it SNG? Or is there another option?

Edited by Vocal Minority on Wednesday 3rd December 12:48

Edited by Vocal Minority on Wednesday 3rd December 16:23

[Vocal Minority]

Awesome - cheers guys.

Glad I looked up from the computer at the right moment.

[Vocal Minority]

RichB said:

The old boy went to see these at York. I regret not finding the time. My favourite loco from when I was a youngster. Captured my imagination like nothing else quite could.

I still have my Hornby 00 of Silver Link I got at Christmas when I was 9 or 10.

Silver Link will always be my favourite because of that.

Thanks so much for everyone contributions. It has been educational, and made me smile.

[Vocal Minority]

Seeing as this seems to be the de facto A4 thread - and in complete contrast to the outstanding photograph above...

Union of South Africa undergoing overhaul at Crewe - wheels off in this truly awful, awful phone pic.

(I had to be quick as didn't have long between seeing it and trying to get the phone out of the pocket....sorry)