The Christmas Steam season for 2023 has begun, and what better to start it off than 2 LMS Black 5s going head to head on the East Coast Mainline with 2 seperate working from London Kings Cross to York and return on Saturday 18th November 2023

First up came 44871 working the Railway Touring Company’s “The Christmas White Rose” seen at New Zealand Bridge on the outskirts of Sandy with the 5 working hard against the sound of the safety valves, 20 minutes later came 45231 “The Sherwood Forester” working a Steam Dreams “York Christmas Market” excursion, also seen at New Zealand Bridge to compare a like for like with 871

With the prospect of 44871 being a future mainstay for excursions out of London and with time ticking for 45231 on its boiler ticket we choose to chase the latter along the route to Lincoln (whilst 44871 took the direct route through Newark), with 45231 being seen near Quadring charging along the straight section of the route toward the Metheringham water stop, after the water stop the 5 is seen shortly after at Dunton picking up the speed as she heads north

I hadn’t initially intended on capturing the returns of either tours but last minute cancellations elsewhere meant I was able to capture the return of 45231 once again more closer to home, this time at St Neots as the 5 races south just shy of 50 minutes late and giving an excellent nocturnal show

Thank you once again to Jack for his kind assistance in this chase!