LONG WAIT REWARDED

An estimated 70 locals turned out in Brigg yesterday to watch preserved steam loco Oliver Cromwell come through at the head of a special train.
Unfortunately, through no fault of the 1950s British Railways survivor, it was more than an hour late getting to town - by which time the sun was well over the yardarm and light had all but gone. But, for all the hanging about, everyone was rewarded with the first view of a magnificent Britannia class loco in Brigg since 1962/3.
I hope the Scunthorpe Telegraph photographer, who waited so patiently on the station, did better than me. Brigg Blog's efforts to get a super side-on shot of No 70013 crossing the Old River Ancholme on Cadney Road were a failure.
Reporter Ian London interviewed train fans on the station; expect to see his story in tomorrow's Scun Tel.
Plus...in the next Telegraph Trains supplement within Nostalgia magazine we are planning to devote a full page to Oliver Cromwell's visit to northern Lincolnshire. Nostalgia - available at local newsagents - will be on sale from April 3 (75p). If you live outside the locality, call 01724 273273 to order your copy by post.
The above picture was one I took in mid-afternoon - in much better light - at Barnetby station; below we see enthusiasts on the footbridge at Brigg station prior to Oliver Cromwell's arrival. This picture was taken a good hour before the loco's eventual appearance.