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

This get-together just isn't going to happen. There is insufficient general public interest to make it so. Its all very well a few enthusiasts wanting it to happen and venting 1s and 0s about it on a forum but, at the end of the day, no bucks, no Buck Rogers!

HOWEVER:

Please feel free to bookmark my comments and remind me of this when it does (as I freely admit that stranger things have already happened in the world of heritage steam).

 

I agree I am not sure this is going to occur. I will disagree with the comment about public interest..... I think there is more than enough but overall so much money is to be required that will not appear

 

if it was to happen would you say not to fill it with LNER locos BUT locos that have speed records? such as a Big Lizzie, Truro, Scotsman etc?? The only reason i say that is because its to do with Mallards 75th Speed record?

 

If this falls through they could always have the six surviving 10" Barclays instead.
(theres actually 7 but one is in New Zealand)

 

The new issue of HR out tommorrow has already "created" the line-up with some trick digital pictures on the front cover and on pages 42-43!

 

I hope this event doesn't actually happen. It's a waste of a lot of money just for a photo opportunity. The money for the transport costs would be much better spent on other local projects. Unless of course some generous haulier or TV company wanted to sponsor the entire project ...

Richard

 

Killjoy. It may seem a waste of money to you but I doubt there are many Gresley fans who'd agree. I think it's a given that external funding/sponsorship will have to be involved at some stage. If it does happen and I sincerely hope it does, the NRM could stand to make a shed load of money from the event. On another forum someone predicted £50 a ticket. IMHO that would be a bargain as it would cost a hell of a lot more to cross the Pond to see 60008 and 60010 and even then they'd be in isolation from the other A4s.

 

Seems to have gone rather quiet about "Mallard" going to Germany. If that doesn't happen, then the chances of two other A4's making a trans Atlantic (and return) crossing look exceedingly remote, I fear.

 

Had to check this wasn't posted on 1st April!!!!

Whilst I would love it to happen.............................sadly not a chance IMO.

 

I'm not a special fan of Gresley's big engines (or indeed any LNER stuff) but even I would love to see this line up - as I'm sure would many others.

 

Wow. I wish I had a magazine, then I could invent fantastical stories and rumours to my gullible readers, sell more issues, get rich, and build myself a new build A3 'papryus'.... (the true, fastest A3 of all time) .. Ssh, don't tell peglar if he's still alive...
Having said that, a heavy lift, taking the roof off their new building, and lifting Dwight d and tender onto a low loader n shipping it to the uk would be a sight. .. Would be nice to see it overhauled here too n shipped back running railtours for the American museum ..

 

Mr Pegler is still very much alive and, yes, he does know about Papyrus. He didn't buy it because he maintained there was not much point since 'railway enthusiasts' would just call it Pappy Russ.

Meic

 

This statement was released by Steve Davies of the NRM ..... back on the 12 August, but seems to have gone un-noticed on here?

"It has come to my attention that some news of a proposal to repatriate two A4 Class locomotives from the USA and Canada has reached elements of the railway press from a non-official source. Although I am disappointed that the National Railway Museum has not been able fully to control the release of this news, I am nevertheless keen to minimise inaccurate speculation."

"It is true that the NRM has been in negotiations for the last six months with the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum in Montreal, with a view to repatriating Dwight D Eisenhower and Dominion of Canada respectively, as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 75th anniversary in 2013 of Mallard’s record-breaking run. The visit of a specialist team is in progress and a mutual decision will be taken, in conjunction with our trans-Atlantic colleagues, if the loans are considered a practical proposition."

"At this stage, absolutely nothing has been agreed. Fundraising to make this happen will be a principal challenge."

"I cannot emphasise strongly enough that this is a loan proposal and will emphatically not result in the permanent repatriation of either or both of these locomotives. This has been explicit in our negotiations from the outset and I am most grateful that our colleagues in the United States and Canada have so far shared this exciting vision with us."

"In the meantime, I would appreciate the minimising of speculation if that is at all possible."

Steve Davies
Director, National Railway Museum