Flying Scotsman

HI i have been on the VSOE and had to much food and to much wine, which is good for the money and came of at victoria half cut. and lost me mobile phone on the underground but had a great time. FISH7373 81C NFP

 

Video of the climb though Langho this afternoon.

A crowded platform with the slightly delayed service to Clitheroe only just departed as Scotsman came up the bank.
Hope the whistle is sorted or is that the best it's going to be?

 

Footage of the light and loaded test runs at Lawkland, Clapham and finally Langho .

 

Footage of 60103 in fine form climbing Wilpshire Bank.....



Hope you enjoy.

 

My wife & I looked at it as a honeymoon option but were put off by the cost per night as well as the reviews which pointed out that it involves crossing the channel in a bus. I mean fair enough that there are no boat trains now and they can't take the Pullmans through the chunnel, but at least put people on a train to get through. In the end we booked a cruise instead, which was definitely better value for money.

 

Which explains why I've been on numerous main line steam specials in Germany and only one ever in the UK (and that was to get some rare track with Tyseley's panniers). I much prefer the German model where the train does maybe 2 or 3 short trips to connect with a local event (or just for the hell of it) and you can just rock up on the day and buy a ticket. Done some great trips over there. I even went on one which took a steam loco through the middle of a chemical works, which was a bit bizarre.

 

Everybody though that the 15 guinea special was a rip off.

 

Some of you will be looking at the weather for Saturday.

 

At the time it was.

 

About £255 in today's money.

 

And lots of locomotives, not just one!

 

Here is Ian Riley's comment on todays test runs from the other side:

'Scotsman did brilliantly on test today, with no major issues for 'the team'.

 

No one rocks up and presents their authority on hanging out by the window either... Indeed every window is a fully opening one !

 

A classic piece of under-statement.

The A3 is a credit to Ian and his team and the NRM can be assured the effort and time has been worth every bit. The repaint into Brunswick Green will be the final touch.

 

There will be those who see this colour as representative of German domination.

 

I thought it was being painted BR green, not Brunswick green

And yes, as has been said before, serious credit to Ian and his team, plus all those past and present who have played their part in making it all come together. A good day for steam.

 

She sounds like a sewing machine...love it. Not a hint of the Gresley knock about her, pure sewing machine.

 

Have to say Im thinking exactly the same. It is indeed marvellous that this is all finally coming together. I knew from the start that Ian and his company would be doing a fantastic job on this project and hope that the detractors that even thought to question this a few years ago realise the fact that this example today really speaks for itself and the folly of their initial reaction.

I also believe that this will do a great deal to achieve and build on the success of making Railway preservation more interesting for the future. Scotsman Im sure under Ian Rileys tenure will become an excellent machine that has the right and proper maintainance programme established to ensure reliability enhances the engines reputation, and that of the NRM, and also Rileys Engineering company. 2016 is the year of Scotsman. Im looking forward to it...

 

In one of the videos on you tube the whistle doesn't sound very loud and a few leaks at the front. but looks good in all respect. FISH7373 81C NFP

 

Not sure about the total lack of knock, the middle segment of this video sounds to me like there is a knock of some kind - could be a combination of exhaust notes, I guess. On the other videos it seems to still be there but not so loud. The leaks at the front seem to be from the ends of the valve rods. The exhaust beat sounds beautiful though.

Hmm, cue the haters, I suppose