All SIX LNER A4 streamlined Pacifics to line up at York in 2013

It is not April 1, it is August 12. The National Railway Museum at York is hoping to borrow Dwight D. Eisenhower and Dominion of Canada on a strictly temporary loan basis for a line-up of all six surviving A4s in 2013, to mark the 75th anniversary of Mallard's record-breaking run.

The story is now breaking exclusively at www.heritagerailway.co.uk

 

If it's true - that would be absolutely amazing.

 

It'd be amazing as 60008 is behind a brick wall, that was built around the locomotive circa 2002...I'm not sure the museum has rail access anymore either.
Still it would be good, the costs not insurmountable and would probably more than cover itself.

Perhaps opportunity presents itself for a bit of imagination on the 3 UK working ones..
LNER Green, LNER Silver, LNER Blue, BR Blue and of course 60008 / 60010 in original end of BR steam condition.

 

Although not a great fan of the A4, if they manage to pull this one off, a trip to York in 2013 will definitely be on the agenda.

 

I think this aspiration may have been better kept to themselves until it was certain - its hard to see how the cost of getting them back to the UK, and then returned, could ever be recovered and that is a pretty fundamental issue given the NRM's current situation. On the PR front, its hard to see any benefit to their owners - neither are going to compare favourably to Mallard, 4492 or SNG, and it would lead to a whole new (and much more vocal) campaign to keep them here.

All in all, huge transport costs, cosmetic restoration, bad PR for their owners and a newly invigorated repatriation campaign - thats a lot of issues to deal with for a one-off event.

Chris

 

stunning news! Definately one not to miss!
I'm quite sure a deal of this can be brokered, especially if a sweetener such as lending them Mallard or Flying Scotsman in return was included. Transport costs might not be the huge issue they appear as this is the sort of thing that would attract big name sponsors.
Repatriation is surely not the big issue, as nowadays flying out there to see them and a whole lot more is getting cheaper and more attractive.Its something on my agenda for retirement years!

 

Your not wrong!

What with Barrow Hill, and now the possibility of this - time to start saving the pennies as I'm sure the NRM will make it a chargeable event - Who wouldn't pay good money to see that?

 

It'll be great if all 6 are together in 2013. Not sure about the different livieries ADB968008 has suggested given that 60009's owner wishes to keep her in Brunswick Green but A4's in Silver/Grey, Apple Green, Garter Blue and BR Blue with 60008 and 60010 in their respective Brunswick livieries would be nice.

 

I'd happily put into the pot if the NRM appealed for help with transportation costs ! To 'cop' 60008 would be great

 

Me too and they will need some spit & polish if it comes off.............count me in

 

Given the state of 60010 I'm guessing her cosmetic restoration will be done by then. Hopefully they'll look after her a bit better afterwards in Canada.

Looking at the Heritage Railway it seems both may get cosmetic attention. Though 60008 looks quite good especially as its the paint applied before shipping to North America.

 

It will be great if it comes off. I will certainly make the trip to see all six together. Going by reports from the last line-up with 4 though, I don't think there is enough room at York to get six locos lined up. Perhaps they could do it at Shildon or Barrow Hill?

 

Most excellent news. :clap2: arty:

 

How many Spam cans could we line up (or should that be 'stack') got to be at least 5

 

Wow, what fantastic news! The line up of 4 was good, can't wait to see this, though I agree with comments that the NRM may not be the best place for this. Shildon would be perfect with maybe Scotsman and Tornado providing a steam shuttle from York?

 

Quite a few in 2013. 34007, 34105, 34070, 34067, 34051 (albeit static), 21C123 (again static). Not sure about 34081, 34072 or 34092 whether they'll be in steam by then.

I'd like to see the 6 A4's though getting to York (or Shildon depending on where it'll happen) could be a problem. Having seen 60007, 60019 (but not as 4492 yet sadly) and 4468. I've seen 60009 in pieces but it'd be great to see that completed as well as a chance to see 60008 and 60010.

 

THAT Is a brilliant idea *points Anthony to acorbs post!*

 

Moving swiftly to the vitally important and Mandatory Paint Jobs discussion....
Mallard Garter Blue
Sir nigel - BR Blue
Union of SA - Apple green as Golden whatever ?
Bittern - Silver grey as Silver whatever
Dom of Canada - BR Green (different crest either side )
Dwight D - Wartime Black

 

Whilst it would be nice to see it happen, this is all effectively speculation / rumour at the moment surely!

The article states
"NRM director Steve Davies was said to be away on holiday until the end of August when Heritage Railway contacted the museum on August 9. Nobody else at the museum was available for comment.

It was not clear how the movements of the two locomotives would be funded or carried out, and whether the line-up would be staged only at the NRM or at its Locomotion outreach station in Shildon.

Neither were the exact dates available as to when the pair would line up alongside Mallard, Jeremy Hosking’s No. 60019 Bittern, currently running as No. 4492 Dominion of New Zealand, John Cameron’s No. 60009 Union of South Africa, currently being overhauled at Pete Waterman's LNWR Workshops at Crewe, and No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, which is based on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway."

So, the NRM hasn't / can't confirm it, we don't know how the moves would be funded, where the event would be held, or even when! Think I'll wait for hard evidence before getting too excited..

 

I disagree on all your points:

a. If part of the deal would be to give the locomotives a bit of genuine british TLC to keep them looking spruce in North America for another 40 years..(Look how 6229 turned out) that would actually be a bit of a PR coup on the other side of the Atlantic as well.

How many people here would volunteer to give the visitors a bit of TLC ?
Why would they want to refuse that offer, especially as the skills and experience are greater in the UK than the US/Canada for maintaining what was once a UK locomotive ?


b. PR.. the Local (maybe even a small National slot) in the US / Canadian TV would definitely provide coverage of a locomotive leaving US / Canada for a visit "Home"... they would get equal, probably more on their return, especially if TLC was part of the deal ! That can only be a win-win..
You honestly believe Canadians / Americans would complain / protest / object over losing an A4 for a few months to goto the 75th Anniversary gathering in the UK ?

c. Transportation costs..
Over 400 GM Diesels have crossed the Atlantic, safely and cheaply... why would this be adversely more expensive ?


A perfect world scenario would be an overhaul in Europe prior to returning, to operate as working Ambassadors, but I guess that would be too much to achieve.