Farewell Old Friend - 70013 Oliver Cromwell

Britannia Pacific No.70013 'Oliver Cromwell' faces an uncertain future after being withdrawn at the Great Central Railway at the end of 2018. The National Railway Museum have yet to decide whether the locomotive is to be overhauled by custodians, the 5305 Locomotive Association, who have cared for the loco since it's return to service. This collection of clips of Ollie on both the mainline and heritage lines starts with a piece of cine film I took on 'The Lancastrian' railtour in 1968, (not 1967 as wrongly shown in the video) my first railtour with the loco, when I was 18 and Ollie a mere 16 years old.
The music played over the cine film clip is 'Requiem in Cello' by Hanu Dixit from the YouTube music library

[Lanes-Explorer]

This is a wonderfully moving tribute to a magnificent engine.

[djstoplichtofficial]

Such a pity this absolutely gorgeous locomotive is out of service. Really hope we'll be able to welcome her back on the lines again in a couple of years! Fantastic tribute.

[mikejackson]

Absolutely wonderful, we were lucky enough to get pulled by her on Christmas Eve with the Santa Express on GCR just a few days before she went out of service, very emotional and thanks for taking the trouble to put together this wonderful collection.

[Maglona]

A fitting tribute to a grand young loco. Many tks. Del.

[robmasterman]

A wonderful tribute to my favourite Brit Austin, In April 1968 had a wonderful day out behind her on a round Lancashire Tour, had a footplate ride when she was at Bessingham, captured her a few time on her travels, and I have an 00 Gauge model of her on my layout...Wonderful!!

[Pirate-Scorcher-]

Oliver Cromwell is such a beautiful locomotive ❤️ and what a amazing tribute for it too

[rjas]

Austin, your ciné film at the beginning along with the well chosen music have added so much to this affectionate retrospective. The most striking sequences, to me anyway, are at 03:30, 07:00 and 09:30 but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, thank you. I don't know the vintage of your Abergele shot, but what a refreshing change to see such a disciplined and unselfish group of photographers on the platform, not one of them intruding on another's shot. My only personal sighting(s) of 'Ollie' would have been pre-1963, probably at Liverpool Street and/or Stratford, and unfortunately never in preservation. Interesting to note that, by inference, you are my senior by one year! Kind regards, Bob.

[hurleyfunbags]

Excellent tribute to a fantastic Loco. One of my favourites. I fell in love with her after travelling behind her on the ML several times when she returned to steam in 2008. A really superb performer. Let's hope that she does return to action in the future.

[Bahamas-rdle]

It is a real shame she has gone. We had her last year to enjoy at the KWVR Spring Gala of 2018 and her firebox was so rusty. Her pony truck looked like it had seen better days as well. I really do miss that chime

[nigelellis]

Great tribute to a magnificent loco. Happy memories of it working on the Eastern between Liverpool Street, through my home town, so hope it's back up and running again soon.

[STEVEHARLEY]

You have made a fitting tribute to this wonderful Loco Austin...Just hope it get's the Overhaul it

[EMuksteam]

A fitting tribute Austin to a fantastic loco. Great memories. Thanks for the posting. Kind regards C&A

[TheWesternExplorer]

Excellent tribute to ‘Ollie’ Austin. Regards, Dave.

[OlanKenny]

Cracking video!
Wild to me to see what Windermere used to look like, my local station.

[TheStephengthompson]

Class footage as ever Austin, hope we see her again and for me the Roaring Monster tour on Shap still sends shivers down my back 👍

[trains]

Lovely video, Austin especially seeing the 60s clips.

[tobys_transport_videos]

Excellent work here Austin! I loved every minute of it! 😍 Let's hope NRM pull their proverbial fingers out and get Cromwell overhauled somewhere ASAP. My only experience with this engine was back in August at the GCR and my first train ride of the weekend. I remember him barking out of Quorn and Woodhouse. The driver gave it Cromwell a bit more power and he responded with a sharper bark up the stack! From then on I was hooked on this engine!

[river]

Austin, thanks for sharing this wonderful video, it must have been a sad day for you to see her to go, Happy New Year to you and your family,

[TAMWORTHFAN]

Great tribute to a fine locomotive hope it is just adios and not goodbye

[JamesandPeter]

Excellent footage Austin, sad to see Oliver Cromwell is out of service and hopefully not too long before is heard on the national network again. Regards James