En Route To Tweedbank

After much indecision I took myself off to see the Queen's train on its way to the Official Opening of the new Borders Railway, for which a special headboard had been cast to mark the occasion, on the day on which she becomes Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

The train was hauled by No 60009, Union of South Africa (extra photo) backed up by DBS Class 67 No. 67026 Diamond Jubilee (extra photo) It was nearly an hour late, owing to fog delaying Her Majesty's departure by helicopter from Balmoral, but our motley collection of amateur and professional photographers was kept informed with updates from the stewards, who were kept busy preventing any access to the station or the pedestrian overpass.

I could not see Her Majesty but several passengers waved as they passed, which added to the jolly atmosphere of the event.