Flying Scotsman

It's not just there Simon, go back a few posts on this thread...or look on Facebook sadly. Who would folk prefer to see in his place I wonder?

 

I'd just like to know what all of these people calling for Steve Davies' head, doing when most of the problems on Scotsman - well documented if you know where to look or who to ask - were ongoing?

Yes there's probably been mistakes made in the course of this overhaul, but isn't it refreshing they are being dealt with and in an honest and upfront manner, rather than being covered up, as in years gone by?

It is a shame that magazines like Steam Railway are quite happy to take pot shots at Steve Davies but have remained absolutely tight lipped on the subject of Scotsman's previous overhaul. I'd like to echo the question asked previously in the thread - where did all of the money spent on that go?

We know where it's all gone in this overhaul, thankfully. I've said it once - I'll say it again - 4472 will be a proper job, and full credit to the NRM and Ian Riley's team for taking it on and wanting to do it properly.

Personally speaking, there's no one I would rather have as the head of the NRM. I would also challenge there's few if any who could do the job he does with such calmness.

 

I gave up buying the railway mags largely because of the sensationalist reporting.

 

The last article linked on here came from the Yorkshire Post, not Steam Railway (For once). It was Steve Davies who originated the phrase as a 'quip' which given the prolonged problems now might now not seem such a good idea.

 

Who would want Steve's job right now? I can't think of a better man for the position - he's got all the right attributes and is a dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast to boot. All to often these posts are filled by some accountant suit type, usually to the detriment of the collection.

 

Hear, hear!

 

My apologies, I was talking at cross purposes. Steam Railway did actually mention it quite explicitly in their latest magazine. (Page 15)

I personally thought it was a light hearted indication of his willingness to see the project to its natural conclusion. I thought it then, and I still think that now. In hindsight, yes, you are probably right. But I wonder if we find that the magazines are finding reasons as opposed to having a reason to be indignant...

Me; though doubtless I am not qualified for the job by any means!!! :smile:

 

Quite so. Not content with reporting a story, they want to be part of it themselves!

 

I think that the present management of the NRM are doing a very good job, think back to previous bosses, you would not get engines being returned to steam that are being talked about returning, Cheltenham would still be static and the midland tank would probally not be even concidered , 4472 is a one off, she would be a hard resto job for any workshop i would even go as far as to say that there are probally other engines in better condition with in the collection such as 92220 or 34051, but they are not flying scotsman and would not have been as much a draw to the public you cant blame york for the state of 4472, the blame lies fairly with the former owners and the people responsible for allocating what funds they did for its maintaince , which i assume was way down the list , things like the scotsman village seemed to come first but there are questions that need to be asked such as where did 2 million go? and how much was set aside for 4472 to keep her in a state of good repair and did it all go on the engine etc. then and only them can the past be put to rest

But getting on to present day what matters is that once 4472 does return its reliable and gets properly looked after and most of all that york allow it to be put to use and not wrap it in cotton wool too much but keep the loadings sensible

 

May I respectfully suggest that we move on from discussions about fault and look forward. The repairs continue with NRM staff working alongside Ian Riley's team at Bury and I eagerly anticipate a trip across the Pennines to see how things are moving on.

 

Spot on, Anthony. I'm sure we're all looking forward to more progress updates, and I echo the sentiments of many others today; 4472 and the NRM are in safe hands - long may it continue.

 

Hear, hear! 4472 is in better hands than it has been for a long time, and I have up most respect for Steve Davies and his respective team.

There was a time that I didn't like the NRM management, as I always felt that all they wanted was for the collection to remain stuffed and mounted, being utterly against any idea of one of the engines returning to steam to the point that it just anoyed me.

But with the arrival of Steve Davies and others such as Chris Beet, my opinion in the NRM's managment has greatly improved, as I'm sure it has for many. They have brought back more fine locomotives to steam then ever before and are not letting up with future plans, determined to display as much of the collection as possible in the way that it should be, in action...

As such because of this, I have great sympathy Steve and his team right now, so far their time in management has not been the most happy of affairs with this 4472 business. In fact both the engine, and Steve Davis and co, have been pounded by these affairs, but both should be fine once it reaches it's conclusion. Flying Scotsman will be running, pride of the NRM fleet (as it should be) and the NRM team itself can finally put this exhausting affair behind and look to the future.

I look forward to Flying Scotsman's return with great anticipation, though I'd like 2500 and the streamlined duchess being brought forward in due course...

Keep up the good work Steve Davies, and don't listen to any of those bad comments, your doing us all a favor by doing something that has had to be done for a long time, giving 4472 a furor going over...

 

I could not agree more, it has always amused me that the people that ran Green Arrow were held in high regard for the stirling performances of the loco and the availability that was afforded to the public with it, and yet when they set the same high standards as an aspiration for another Gresley 3 cyl loco (Flying Scotsman) they are thoroughly slated by all and sundry for MY money it is in the best place with a good outlook being looked after by some of the best people our country can muster.
Long may it continue. I do wonder at times as to who exactly is grinding who's axe and for what purpose.

 

Well this topic is "Scotsman Overhaul Updates". Perhaps if you want to discuss steam in South Wales it might be a good move to start a topic on it. :tsk:
Maybe a sense of humour would help as well.

 

Indeed Victor, and mine was a rhetorical question. Let's leave it there.

 

I was thinking of running a tour avoiding Dewsbury that day if that was the scenery on offer

:rofl:​

 

Same, I can't wait for it's return. The next overhaul may be much cheaper and quicker after this thorough one.

 

Exactly, by doing a full works overhaul now, the next one will be a lot less trouble , in the past 4472 has been used as a cash cow by the operators and owners , that shouldnt be the case now York will operate the engine in a way that safeguards it, not wears it out and im sure will ensure that it is looked after ,

 

Of course i want to see flying scotsman steaming! I think the NRM to a fantastic job! I just wanted to make a point of feeling forgotten in all honesty! But in part i think thats the museum of wales fault!