4472 'Flying Scotsman'

[34053]

4 million quid and the brakes dont work.yet!!

To be fair, I believe that this is only a 'temporary' situation as 'Scotsman', at the moment, is unable to operate the brakes on the Train (the Coaches). Hence the reason why 'Black Five' Steam Locomotive 45407 was to be positioned behind 'Scotsman' to provide this braking. (However, this did not start well as the 'Black Five' had a temporary problem at the start of the day and had to be replaced by a Diesel for a while!). The brake on the Locomotive itself is steam operated and is, therefore, fully operational.

Here is a good YouTube clip of yesterday's event. :



PW

[34053]

I am pleased to report that 'Flying Scotsman' successfully completed her Inaugural Main Line Excursion on Thursday 25th February, from London Kings Cross to York.

PW

[Spitfire]

I am pleased to report that 'Flying Scotsman' successfully completed her Inaugural Main Line Excursion on Thursday 25th February, from London Kings Cross to York.

PW

But .... with the wrong number and livery

4 4 7 2 - L N E R

[34053]

I am pleased to report that 'Flying Scotsman' successfully completed her Inaugural Main Line Excursion on Thursday 25th February, from London Kings Cross to York.

PW

But .... with the wrong number and livery

4 4 7 2 - L N E R

Regrettably, yes.

PW

[Spitfire]

Regrettably, yes. PW

There was a blurb posted on Facebook from the National Railway Museum's Head Curator I think in an attempted defence of the decision http://blog.nrm.org.uk/many-guises-of-flying-scotsman/

and, by way of reply, I posted....

As an avid proponent of the Brunswick Green and LNER number 4472 livery I have been interested to read the Curators well written comments. But - be that all as it may, and no doubt very 'correct' it is in all respects - I think there may be a case for public perception and opinion to hold sway. I would add as 'evidence' that if you search Google Images for 'Flying Scotsman' and tally up how many images are green 4472 and how many are 'other' I don't think the public would be surprised at the result. In my very humble opinion the name Flying Scotsman is synonymous with Green LNER 4472 - it just IS. 4th axe head 5th handle - double chimney - smoke deflectors - whim wham - mustard mill ... who cares
Its like someone painting Nelsons Column red - it just ISN'T right to look at. Bring back 4472 I say
Oh and PS - check out the title of her Wikipedia page 'LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman' - I rest my case

There were copious comments on the Facebook entry - a lot of which supported the view that this decision is just plain wrong - morally ... forgetting the geeks and nerds and what's 'right' ...

I only got one 'Like' on my specific comment - and it came very swiftly from ..... The National Railway Museum



Personally I don't think 60103 is long for this world and we may yet see the return of
4 4 7 2 - L N E R

[Kermit]

Documentary tonight at 8.30 pm on BBC4 on the restoration... Should be good !

[Spitfire]

Documentary tonight at 8.30 pm on BBC4 on the restoration... Should be good !

Freeview Channel 4472

[Kermit]

[Spitfire]

It was an OK programme - but not enough was done, shown or said about the magnificent work done by Riley

Lots of evocative images through clouds of copious steam are all very well but 3 copper tubes (which figured prominently) do not tell the story really

AND to show the sign writer very carefully applying that silly BR number 60103 had me swallowing hard when he could have so easily been applying 4472 and saving himself time and someone else money

Some brilliant film of her time in Pegler and Wimpy ownership, showing her true colours, was excellent

And whilst we are at it WHAT a pathetic whistle for such a mighty beast

[Sooty655]

Personally I don't think 60103 is long for this world and we may yet see the return of
4 4 7 2 - L N E R

Well, personally I think they should renumber the old beast 78023. Ok, that was a 2-6-0 hack rather than a 4-6-2, but why let the facts get in the way of a good story, at least the 6 is right. It dragged me to school for a couple of years, so it must be important, surely.

Quotes from Airplane in reply will be expected (and appreciated).

[Vulcan Bomber]

Personally I don't think 60103 is long for this world and we may yet see the return of
4 4 7 2 - L N E R

Well, personally I think they should renumber the old beast 78023. Ok, that was a 2-6-0 hack rather than a 4-6-2, but why let the facts get in the way of a good story, at least the 6 is right. It dragged me to school for a couple of years, so it must be important, surely.

Quotes from Airplane in reply will be expected (and appreciated).

There is nothing wrong with a BR standard class 2.... I'd rather see one of them over Flying Scrapiron any day!!

[Sooty655]

There is nothing wrong with a BR standard class 2.... I'd rather see one of them over Flying Scrapiron any day!!

There is when it is dragging you to school on a regular basis.

[Vulcan Bomber]

If you ever feel the need to see one again, 78018 and 78109 are both on the GCR, one about to be overhauled and one about finished its overhaul.

[Sooty655]

Thanks, VB. It's not far from me so I really should visit one day. I guess after so long the reminder of school days won't be too bad. It was actually a mix of 78023, 78024 and 78025, but I had to pick one for the sarky response to Spitfire's 4472 campaign.

[Spitfire]

Spitfire's 4472 campaign.

4 4 7 2 - L N E R

[34053]

I really meant to post this quite a while ago.

There have been 2 Programmes on BBC4, from the Footplate of 'Flying Scotsman', during the September 2016 visit to the Severn Valley Railway (together with 'Tornado'):

On board cameras record the whole Southbound journey, from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster, in more or less 'real time' (the Programmes lasts an hour) both on the Footplate and from outside.

They are well worth watching (on 'catch up') if still available:

'Flying Scotsman: From The Footplate'.
First broadcast: 9.00pm on Thursday 29th December 2016.

'Flying Scotsman: Sounds From the Footplate'.
First Broadcast: 9.00pm on Sunday 1st January 2017.[The same Programme, but this time without commentary].

PW

[Spitfire]

Just watched the first one - very good - poor old Roger though, not being able to get her moving at Bridgnorth - felt for him

I was also struck by what a puny and 'wet water' sounding whistle (if you can call it that) she has - most disappointing Would have expected something much more 'throaty'

Excellent angles and a good mix of shots - gave a very good perspective of what happens

4 4 7 2 - L N E R

[34053]

Just watched the first one - very good - poor old Roger though, not being able to get her moving at Bridgnorth - felt for him

I was also struck by what a puny and 'wet water' sounding whistle (if you can call it that) she has - most disappointing Would have expected something much more 'throaty'

Excellent angles and a good mix of shots - gave a very good perspective of what happens

4 4 7 2 - L N E R

Yes, a bit embarrassing not being able to get going! Although, theoretically, this should not happen with a 3 cylinder Locomotive, it does happen sometimes (I have experienced the same thing with 'Sir Keith Park'). But just a brief moment in reverse gear sorts it out.

I agree about the whistle; a bit pathetic really!

PW