Flying Scotsman

I’d love to hear the comments if that consist was doing laps at a model railway show!

 

Thats a Challenge !

 

It would be a period correct picture for a typical A3 but not 4472 and then only if it had a train of teaks behind it.
You are correct, BR would never have gone to the expense of converting them unless they were sure there would be a return on the investment. Anyone who doubts that it transformed their performance should read Peter Townend’s book.

 

Losing the will to live a bit.

The salient point is that it is Flying Scotsman's centenary - it comes around literally once in a lifetime. Its best known livery is LNER apple green.

That is the livery it has achieved all of its major records and events in, everything from 100mph to non stop runs, to circumnavigating the globe, the longest non stop run by a steam locomotive anywhere in the world, the list goes on...

...yes, a single chimney would be nice but it clearly is a nice to have, for the anniversary the apple green is a must have.

Are we seriously saying that the world's most famous steam locomotive should NOT wear the apple green livery it was made famous in? For what reason other than spite would we argue against it wearing such a livery on its centenary?

In 2016, BR Green was the right decision. In 2023, it will be the wrong decision.

Sorry, but I think there's overlapping arguments within arguments here when all that is really being asked for is a cosmetic touchup to celebrate the locomotive on its centenary in the best possible way.

Imagine arguing against Pendennis Castle wearing GWR green for its reintroduction into service!

What a nonsense.

 

I love that phrase.

 

Did it work perfectly, its a long time ago and my memory isn't great but I remember a couple of runs with her in the late 70's/80's when her steaming was pretty indifferent, in addition one sticks in my mind when she struggled for a prolonged period of time to lift some ECS off the Blackburn line and into Hellifield after a loco change, whilst we all stood on the platform at Hellifield and waited?

It does seem to be a very short/tight overhaul period so one would suspect this will have some bearing on weather they were to choose weather to change the front end and then no doubt have a period of bedding in, snagging etc?

Plus if she is already somewhat fussy about coal isn't there the potential by detuning her it will just make things worse!

 

I think you missed 'in my opinion' off the bit I have bolded

 

Lets face it Engineering Heroes they may be but just keep your fingers crossed it doesnt come out of Rileys Black again...

 

Few? Just image search "flying scotsman" and look at the images. In particular look at all the images of kids toys.

 

'there are few who remember Scotsman in Apple Green'
Only the first time round....

 

is there time to rebuild it as an A1 with GNR cab , and 180lb boiler
etc. as per 1923. ? in the interest of authenticity.................

it's best known livery is Brunswick Green . nobody living will have seen her in LNER Apple other in preservation when other details rendered that as not authentic. does anything remain of FS in 1923 condition other than the wheels and motion? ......she has spent 60 years in preservation v/s 24 as an LNER loco. in Scotsmans case authenticity is impossible .

I like blinkers and Kylchaps. ... i remember her in Brunswick , with and without blinkers and Kylchap. ......abidingly a tired looking single chimney loco sat on the 34A turntable .

 

7005 John Milton might disagree

 

I'd suggest the best known livery is Apple Green... OK, post-preservation apple green, and not 100% authentic for her LNER condition - but 100% authentic for a period in her life, and arguably the period in which she had her greatest fame.

Tom

 

Ok, let’s suppose we can put aside the wishes of enthusiast/purist/history appreciationist* types…

Here is a “pro” for sprucing the old girl up with a gleaming coat of apple green - it’s a publicist’s dream! The grand unveiling of a fresh, new look to celebrate the centenary of the world’s favourite (non-GWR ) locomotive, and then on with the spiel of the significance…

For Joe public over a certain age, it will rekindle old memories of when she was last traipsing around in LNER colours. For any son or daughter of Joe public who has only seen her in BR guise, (or not at all), then it will hopefully be a spark for renewed interest. For anyone who grumbles that it should stay how it has been for the last umpteen years then, well…stuff ‘em - they’ve no doubt had it that way for most of their lives!

IMHO of course.

* That doesn’t sound like a real word!

 

If any loco does not need to have publicity generated for it it is 4472 - oops, sorry, I mean 60103. It seems to create its own publicity without any external assistance.

Peter

 

“Worlds most notorious locomotive”?!

 

How many locomotives which became classified as Class 7P (the 6F is not relevant here) were designed to haul 600 ton trains? And later proved to be capable of dealing with trains of 700 tons and more? When this came about only one of the class was fitted with the Kylchap double exhaust system and we are aware that the subsequent fitting of this system to the class proved to be beneficial.

As to the 8P anomaly, the fitting of the Kylchap system did allow the A3s to work turn and turn about with the established 8P types. As good as the unfitted A3s could be it would be difficult to imagine one working to the standard of Capercaillie on the 8.00 am Newcastle to Kings Cross but there again they did prove to be capable of matching the A4s on the high speed trains. As Gresley observed "any of my engines can do it". In a way it is unfortunate that it was never tried and we will never know how close they might get unless someone unearths a wartime log from somewhere.

We are talking about operations as a preserved locomotive and it is reasonable not to expect engines to work to the maximum of their capacity. But where do you set the limits and what informs your decision making process? Facts or feelings? Or even personal bias?