For our last couple of recordings of the NYMR Autumn Gala on 30th September 2007 we went down to Levisham.
Our usual recording spot at Levisham has always been just to the north of the station not far from the line but, having arrived only a little time before the penultimate train of the day departed but with insufficient time to get to our usual spot we stopped on the road heading down to the station, tried a recording from the hillside there and we were very pleased with the result. Not only could we hear the Grosmont bound train depart on the steep gradient into Newtondale but we could also hear the Pickering bound train depart.
In view of this we decided to stay there for the final train, 49395 would be departing for Grosmont and we expected to see the Black 5 on the train to Pickering. Wrong again! This recording provided us with out tenth engine of the day, the BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 75029.
As this recording begins, the Super D has just got the 'right away', departs heading north and, as the sound of the 0-8-0 fades away, 75029 departs for Pickering.
What made this particularly memorable and an excellent way to round of a truly excellent day was, as there was hardly a breath of wind, we had almost perfect recording conditions. Also the smoke from each loco hung in the still air for quite some time, quite a sight with the addition that, although we couldn't see the Super D passing through the trees below us, as well as the smoke we also saw a couple of perfect smoke rings rising gently above the trees!