Flying Scotsman

Had an amusing moment on Friday. Traveled up in the morning, to recce some of the spots I had earmarked on Goggle Earth, not knowing the area at all well. I was going by a bridge of the ELR, between Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall, when I saw a crowd of locals peering over the parapet. "Woo - they know something" I thought, so I dumped the car, grabbed the camera and joined them.

"Whats happening" says I
"The flying Scotsman is coming" parrots the group (now about 15 people with more joining)
"Left Bury at 2" says half the crowd
"Should be here any second" says the other half

So I waited. "Well I wasn't aware of this" I thinks - "But hey, they are the locals - they must known"

(then I spies a signal gantry with cold dead lamps behind the semaphore - added to my recent (15 minutes ago) sudden memory of the cold dark locked box I passed - So I slinked away leaving them behind)

Yes it left Bury at 2, and it went to Heywood!

 

The simple fact is that Flying Scotsman is now a working steam engine once more, OK she has got one or two problems that will need attention thats to be expected, but the engine managed with help to run its inaugural trains and air brake apart appears to have no other issues given the complexity of the overhaul and the work needed i think it has to be seem as positive that the engine didnt have more defects , the air braking will be fixed i'm sure quite soon and as its her first runs, it to me makes sence to have had an assisting engine 8 mk1s , some with heavy commonwealth bogies, is quite a load for an engine out of shops 46100 first trains were ecs, so why take the chance of flogging it its being run in, like a car,with a new engine, you have to let things bed in.

 

Scotsman's back - on the ELR 9 January 2016

After being out of traffic for just over ten years, the iconic Gresley Pacific Flying Scotsman returned to public trains on the East Lancashire Railway this weekend folllowing a massive overhaul by Riley and Son of Bury for the National Railway Museum.
After a press launch and VIP dining train on Friday, the punters got their chance with on Saturday. Prebooking was essential, and the four eight-coach trains Scotsman was pulling on both Saturday and Sunday were quickly sold out. As consolation for those of us who missed them, two other stars made the day something like a mini-gala.

The rain poured down and the gloom was complete when it was announced that, due to the failure of 45407, a diesel would have to be found to support Scotsman's air brake. Waiting for over an hour actually meant the rain had stopped before the star of the show reached the huge crowds waiting at Ramsbottom.

She looked massive and magnificent in what I would describe as matte black, which looked either deep black or battleship grey, depending on the light. She sounded strong, sure and sweet as she set off up the hill. I followed her with the Crab for a few more pictures, feeling elated that this pinnacle of British steam fame and excellence is back with us, living, breathing and raring to go.

Roll on the next two weeks, when she is booked to do Manchester - Carlisle over the S&C and back over Shap. I'm not missing that one!

12 pictures are at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p932980164

Peter, on another grey January morning in Manchester, with Scotsman hopefully still at it only a few miles away
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

Despite the bad start to the morning, the afternoon was a lot more positive despite the late running. The Scotsman sounding very crisp on it's run up to Heywood, with the diesel just ticking over.

 

Sadly it seems there was a lot of trespass on the ELR yesterday going by the comment of the driver of 34092 to the station staff in this video around the 2.19 min mark:

 

what ropey start,another daft post get yourfacts right,45407 failed not fs.

 

Don't just wind forward to 2.19-watch the whole piece, it's a gem and certainly a different take than the usual stuff on here.

 

Yes it is very enjoyable. Dawn will be very popular with Kent Yeti as she likes 34092 a lot, particularly the wheels!

 

Great video. She sounds very nice.

 

No one has mentioned there seems to be a very serious problem with the nameplates

 

Couple of things:-

Great to see Flying Scotsman facing South
Great climb forwards up Broadfield bank
Loads of photos and videos from places that aren't normally used.
There's more to ELR than Burrs !

Cheers

 

Absolutely delightful!

 

Will be refitted when repainted I believe. I'm sure Mr Anthony Coulls will be able to confirm, if not just enjoy the spectacle

It's not the first time she's run without nameplates in her life. She ran as no.1472 without nameplates for a time before being renumbered and named for the Empire Exhibition. I am sure I saw her running in grey primer in her last stint pn the mainline too without nameplates.

 

S.A.C martin would it be right with no name plates in black livery. FISH7373 81C

 

wont he be in winter hibernation by now? Does Dawn speak German?

 

Afraid not, the black was wartime black livery and she did indeed have nameplates.

She also had a 180lb boiler, a single chimney, no superheater headers and an A4 type streamlined non corridor tender.

 

Fabulous!!

And the Black Pudding Video of The Weekend Award goes to:

Dawn!!

More entertainment in a few minutes there than an hour of Constipation Street. Just one question - is Dawn the long lost sister of the late lamented Fred Dibnah?

Cheers,

Alan

 

No, cousin possibly, Fred had a Bolton accent whereas Dawn is more Rossendale. It sticks with you apparently. They tell me I haven't lost my Rammy accent despite not having lived there for 33 years & having spent the last 10 in Scotland!

 

Back in the 70's - 80's I lived in Standish and in those days you needed more than the fingers on 2 hands to count the different dialects within a 20 mile radius, I would be absolutely delighted if that was still the case. Many is the time that I rue ever leaving Lancashire....

Cheers,

Alan

 

Standish - the posh part of Wigan. That's where they crimp the pie crusts with fancy patterns isn't it?