Back Of The Shed

That's a distinct possibility. I also think that an oily rag may have been used. However I don't think that Bittern when repainted as Silver Link ever made it to Kings Cross.

Here she is at York (not my photo), showing a distinct lack of stainless steel numerals...



Keith

 

I remember seeing Bittern disguised as Silver Link sitting in the shed at the Stephenson Railway Museum in North Shields. That would be about 1990 time. I particularly remember the information plaque in front of the loco stating that she was unlikely to run again as she had cracked frames. One of the museum staff told me she also needed a new boiler and steaming would never happen either. A true case of never say 'never'!!

 

Never bet against the skill, ingenuity and sheer bloody-mindedness of the determined restorer .... you will lose!

 

Don't forget money

 

Me too, and thinking WOW no wonder the public back in 1935 were so stunned. Not only stunned by the streamlining but also more pointedly by such a striking livery.

 

You do realise the consequences now that you have mentioned the word 'livery'?

 

Was 2509 ever painted in gloss . ?
I had a super pic of her with the Doncaster team lined up in front .(lost it when my laptop died) , but it seemed to me in all the early pics to be a flat aluminium colour .
or is that just B&W photography?

 

Unfortunately not. Sadly. I'm no "super centenarian".

Howerver, one really would have given a good deal to have been on the press run for the Silver Jubilee: 100 mph sustained for 25 miles - the line falling overall, classically fast but including pitches of gentle upgrade and the maximum of 112 was on one. This with a really new locomotive - promptly designed, quickly if not urgently built and apparently run in largely with high speed brake tests - giving every impression of never turning a hair. It worked the train back and then it went on to haul the service to Leeds single handed for two weeks until there was a second A4.

Any discussion of the the most remarkable run ever in this country could not reasonably leave out considering it.
But one couldn't ever have known beforehand just how remarkable it would turn out to be.

 

No the Silver Jubilee service ran Newcastle [Upon Tyne] to London not Leeds to London return. The later Streamlined West Riding service ran that route, with two tone Blue stock and Garter Blue A4s......

 

Quite correct my apologies.

I fear I have understated the reliability that had not been compromised by the exploit to Barkston - 108 miles from Kings Cross:
Newcastle at 268 miles is 82 miles further than Leeds. So the daily mileage was 536 and this for 10 days - weekdays only - with nothing
booked against the engine.

I suppose what bowled me over seeing what I saw was that the look was as exceptional as how it could run.

 

My apologies, the" Silver Jubilee" did indeed run to Newcastle.

And to say Leeds instead of Newcastle is to understate the immediate total competence of "Silver Link" uncompromised by the remarkable times on the demonstration run. Newcastle is 82 miles further than Leeds - 286 miles fraom Kings


At 8,000 miles from brand new when the second A4 arrived there was yet to be a failure held against with a scheduled train.

 

I have to say seeing 4464, in Garter Blue with the SVR Teaks back in 2012 was the most wonderful sight, dare I say that this was when I had my epiphany and realised that its not all about BR Black or Green, not when you have an A4 in Garter Blue, a Caley 0-6-0 in Caley Blue, then an N2 in GN Apple Green and 69023 in North Eastern green... Thread drift again but I'm making a long winded attempt to say how nice it must have been to have seen all these liverys back in the day!

 

Oh to have been alive in pre-grouping days at York or Carlisle! At York, you would have GNR, NER, L&YR, MR, GER, LNWR, GCR all together. What a sight that must have been!

Tom

 

A sight indeed but I doubt you would be posting on Nat Pres now if you had been alive then Tom. Just think of all the fun you would be missing not being alive today - well I think our sphere of railway interest is more enjoyable now than it's ever been. Maybe I'm just easily pleased.

Peter

 

Indeed, such was the "loyalty" of the staff at Gateshead during those first 10 days. That they regularly prevailed on a member of staff to get into the firebox once it had cooled enough to rebuild the collapsed brick arch. When Gresley found out he was to some degree shocked, remarking, that one of the none streamlined pacifics would suffices......... as a stand in.

 

Peter, I think we're very lucky to have what we have today steam wise, Regular steam on the West Highland, semi regular steam to places like Scarborough and Kingswear. Then we also have services to Cromer and Whitby. Not forgetting a certain Merchant Navy doing it's thing on the Pullmans around Surrey. There is always a tendency to say things were better in the 'good old days' but dare I say we're living in rather exciting times now.

 

Most certainly there Matt. As the late Sir Peter Parker Chairman in the late seventies of British Rail put it, "Steam warms the market, for rail travel." Or words to that effect. We should be thankful today nearly 40 years on from those remarks. As in today's increasingly high tech network steam can be [to put it bluntly] a bloody nuisance, as it's increasingly none compatible with the modern network.

 

We choose to do these things, not because they are easy, but because they are difficult. Kennedys words about going to the moon could easily apply to: 6023, 45699,71000, The GWSR, Llangollen, Tornado, The Ffestionog deviation there's far to many to go on about, we really have an awful lot to to be grateful for, so instead of moaning about we don't have lets stop and have a good old shout about what we do have

 

A lovely photo Michael!

Knut