Flying Scotsman

Ok a bit of history - when the railways were nationalised in 1948 the British Railways Board (BRB) did not exist - instead 'British Railways were run by an organisation called the Railways Executive. In 1953 this was interoperated into the British Transport Commission (BTC) who then reported to ministers.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Transport_Commission

The BRB that most people think of didn't come into effect until 1963 when the Conservative Government abolished the rather unwieldy BTC and created the board.

Dr Beaching was head of the BTC from 1961 - 1963. Also the reason he was installed was financial - the BTC was losing money hand over fist and it was argued that radical thinking was needed. His first report gave Ministers what the answers they wanted - "close enough and it will be profitable" - a strategy which they told the board to embrace with all speed. However Dr Beaching's second report - which recommended investment in the remaining railways was not what the political establishment wanted to hear so it got binned and Dr Beaching went back to ICI in 1965 as a protest at being not able to 'finish the job'

 

Nothing - but thats what happens when people start NR bashing to make themselves feel good.

 

Because without the intervention of a Scottish politician Flying Scotsman would not be in traffic today or over the weekend.

 

So you're saying this trip is Scotsmans actual return to traffic then?

Dave B

 

Are you sure about that?...................

60103 is a worldwide media darling thanks to the efforts of the NRM's media machine, after all they have a serious chunk of money to recoup - as I said earlier - if NR hadn't performed the major U Turn, then they would've been made a global laughingstock............... any guesses as to how many Pax on 60103's tours are from overseas?................... mine is quite a lot.

As has been said - any other loco OOG, and it would be box haulage, but 60103 is different - end of, where ever she goes so does the media & Joe Public - BTP nightmare, but great publicity for UK steam & the country in general!

Heck, I'm even considering going out to see her next weekend at the eyesore that is now Iver - but maybe I'll give it a miss & wait until she shows up on the MHR - she won't be OOG there! BUT those of us permitted to go lineside will not be looking forward to having to throw folks off where they should be, given the verbals you can encounter.

As for the mess that NR is in, you can blame Major for carrying out Thatchers wishes, if he'd left BR well alone we would not have the mess we do today - if it ain't broke, don't try & fix it!

 

Todays trip was not affected by the gauging issue if you read Steam Dreams message.

Dave B

 

Agree with most of that apart from the fact you have overlooked the fact that BR was broken with too much negative management and not a clue how to market railways as a means of travel.

 

So what was the problem?

 

Understatement of the year, so far!

 

so now we know a train can be gauged within 24 hours and at a weekend.. if there's enough influence.

 

Sorry, but you need to keep up with events in the past 24 hours. It ran yes, but it nearly didn't, and that is whats being discussed

 

Gosh yes, foot in the stable door there methinks.

 

Broken by one person who sucked the life out of public transport - Thatcher.

 

Part of it yes.

 

It was tomorrows trips, NR hadn't done the gauging for the Borders railway and the Fife circular tour.

Dave B

 

Ok seems the Inaugural run in Feb and the trip to Newcastle were test runs with passengers then, going by what you're saying and it's actual return to traffic is today.

Dave B

 

That's about it, surprising what can be done when the kick up the jacksie is hard enough

 

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/flying-scotsman-tours-of-scotland-reinstated

 

Out of interest, do NWR have a full investigation every time they cry gauging issues the night before?