Flying Scotsman

On revisiting last evening (as for some strange reason it popped up as a suggested post on my Facebook feed again?) the Facebook link that I posted before, on expanding it there do seem to be some interesting remarks regarding what is (or is not) going on with said loco and its operation.

 

I'm beginning to think that the tendering out to Northern Steam will prove to have been a mistake, because they are unproven in the steam operations, and with no mainline operations experience,

 

No you're not, you thought that in March. See post 8879.

 

Well, If I thought that back in March, then, as the engine has only worked on preserved lines, and done one run behind the pullman's, on a positioning move, looks like I might be right? the only times she has ran on the mainline she has been either towed in steam, or Light engine/ POB.

 

Is there any chance UK Railtours could do a Flying Scotsman trip? They operate the occasional trip with Clan Line with the Pullmans with DB Cargo crews. Couldn't DB crew the loco and UK Railtours organise a trip with it. Do they have any Mk1 or Mk2 rolling stock available to use behind a Steam Locomotive?

 

I think Riviera Trains used to provide the Mk1 and Mk2 stock for UK Railtours, but West Coast bought up their remaining stock of both types a few years back.

 

Do you mean DB or UK Railtours for the stock? Either way neither, stock only resides with LSL/SRPS/WCRC/ and Vintage, plus some more modern stuff at Eastern Rail Services plus maybe some Mk2's?

 

They have used the 4TC unit on recent trips and upcoming trips are expected to be using Eastern Rail Services charter rakes.

Dave B

 

So if UK Railtours were to do a deal with Eastern Rail Services for coaching stock then fingers crossed we could get some Flying Scotsman trips with UK Railtours promoting it and with DB providing the loco crew. At this current stage of time this seems the most likely chance of seeing Flying Scotsman at the head of a mainline train. We'll just have to see what happens and if a deal can be worked out.

 

Nemesis Rail are also reportedly putting together a charter rake of air cons.

 

Oh for goodness sake. Yet more flak from people who have no idea what running a museum involves. They've just completed an enormous capital project--namely, the refurbishment of Station Hall. Has it occurred to you that getting that finished on time might, possibly, have been a higher priority for them than getting Flying Scotsman onto the turntable for one weekend?

Flying Scotsman was never billed as a feature of the 50th anniversary weekend. Sadly I wasn't able to be there, but apparently there were lots of other events going on, including curators out on the museum floor sharing some of their favourite small exhibits from the collection. Flying Scotsman had her turn in the spotlight a few weeks ago at Shildon--you could even have bought a footplate ride if you wanted one (as I did--it was great fun!). This was a chance for the museum to do something different and highlight some objects which don't usually get the spotlight. There's far, far more to the NRM than just locomotives and rolling stock.


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In that case, please answer me this, If Scotsman was never billed as being part of the 50th Anniversary then why was it brought down and not sent back to Shilton, or left at Darlington until after the week end, after all, its just more work, what you are saying makes no sense, A more logical and plausible explanation was that Flying Scotsman was intended to be on display, but plans went pear shaped, too much to do, and not enough time to get it all done.

 

A more plausible explanation is that there were other plans. Full stop.

 

From what I’ve seen I’m not sure that some of the people at the NRM know what running a museum involves.

 

I think the issue may be more about differing perspectives about what running a museum involves.

 

From working closely with several people involved in running museums throughout my career, I would suggest that very few people who don't run museums have a clue about what running a museum actually entails.

If said museums have say hypothetically 100 visitors that’s 100 people who will invariable have their own priorities what they think it should concentrate on, of how it should be run and thus a critic of how it actually is being run.

 

I have three friends all of whom used to be volunteers at the NRM, working on D200, 55002 and D1023. They were all told their services were no longer required and told to pack their bags and go. I'll ask them if they understand what running a museum involves...

 

I don’t think the biggest issue here should be that 60103 missed the 50th of the NRM….

But what about the 200th Anniversary of the Railways? For me that criminal that it missed that.
- Titans of Steam in Darlo - How could supposedly the “most famous” loco miss the Titans of Steam event?
- Rail 200 on 27th September - How can (200 years to the day since that first rail move) the “most famous” locomotive miss the celebrations and be stuffed out the back of York hidden from view?
- In the case of the above that should have been high priority.

 

The treatment of the group that got 55002 back up and running, then mainline is deplorable.

It still sits in view :-

(2) Facebook

I would suggest any audit of No 2, now would show one engine BER, due to neglect, once a issue had been identified, prior to the groups credentials being removed.

Luckily for all, the group moved onto getting No 15, finished quicker, and for that we should all be thankful.

 

It was at the first weekend of Titans of Steam - that was all over Facebook. "Criminal' is a bit strong, call the police and tell them and see what their response is