61306 Mayflower stands in for the Duke with the final 'Golden Arrow' 30th September 2026

With it being the last Golden Arrow tour to Canterbury of the year 71000 Duke of Gloucester was due to haul the train from Southall to canterbury and back but after failing a few days prior LNER B1 61306 'Mayflower' was called upon to stand in for the Duke and didn't disappoint with a great performance throughout despite running under red fire risk with 47593 pushing on the rear. Mayflower is first seen cruising through Hollingbourne before slowing for a TSR further on from the station and with the stop at Charing it allowed time to get back ahead in order to see mayflower on quite a mission flying through Chartham trying to make up some of the time lost on it's way out of London earlier on. At Canterbury the loco is detached from the coaches and stabled in the siding next to the famous Goods Shed food shop and restaurant where it is loaded with coal and water ready for the return trip as shown in the collection of clips showing the crew checking her over and filling up with water as well as checking all the oil points and filling them ready for the run back to London. Mayflower is then seen coasting across st stephens level crossing in order to back onto the coaches again, followed by her then seen chuffing out of the loop after collecting the coaches again before 47593 hauls the train back into the platform making a lovely noise. Now starting the return trip back to London Mayflower is seen powering away from Canterbury at the same location chuffing over the crossing before blowing her top just past the camera, Lastly she is seen for the final time at a very different weathered Sandling in the pouring rain where she emerges from the tunnel doing very little work while 47593 pushes on the rear which can be seen with only the clag left visible coming out the tunnel. Thanks for Watching!