MALLARD 75.

As we don't seem to have an actual Mallard 75 thread I thought I would start one.

To kick things off The One Show is reporting live from the NRM tonight.

 

Heading up tomorrow and can't wait. I would probably have a look out on early morning news programmes (BBC Breakfast, Daybreak etc) as I think the NRM have said they plan to have a Grand entrance for 4468 and I think the others have been shunted into place tonight (4464 has anyway after its One Show cameo).

 

Going up to the NRM on the 10th July.

 

Hoping everything will look just as good in october, thats when I'm going...

 

I will be travelling on the UK Railtours HST charter on Saturday 6th to York.

 

First photo I've seen online with all six A4's in the NRM Great Hall is now on Heritage Railway magazine's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRailway
I'll be there myself on 13th and 14th (for the pre-opening photo session).
Cheers,

 

I would love to go, but I worry about the sheer number of people trying to get into the NRM over the next couple of weeks, bound to be very busy.
I must go and check the NRM website to see if there are any restrictions, like having a timed-entry ticket or whatever. Would hate to make the trip and then find "crowd control" measures in force and get turned away!

(Presumably after the next two weeks with all six A4's is over, it should still be possible to see Mallard and the two from abroad still in the NRM, assuming Bittern and SNG are out and about, or are the two overseas visitors moving on?)

46118

 

Unless you are booked on the pre-opening photo shoot, I think it will be a waste of time going there with photographing in mind. As I said before Barrow Hill would have been a much better venue. More atmosphere there.

 

Well personally I found today to be great. There was a real buzz when I got into work this morning, and this continued until I left. Lots of people around and enjoying the sight of all 6 locos together with access into them. I love my job and have to say i'm proud to work for the NRM. I know not everyone will be satisfied but not everyone can be. All I would say is sometimes in the heritage movement we don't realise just how luck we are.

 

No complaints from me regarding the inside of the NRM being the venue fur the Great Gathering. (Sounds a bit like something out of Highlander. ) It's location in a major tourist destination with excellent transport links will make it accessible to a large number of visitors, far more so than Barrow Hill, especially the general public and I think that's important. This is not an event purely for the enthusiast and the photographer but for everybody. Those worried about "atmosphere" and numbers of visitors have the option of booking an "early bird" ticket or attending the Shildon photo shoot in February. Well done to all concerned for pulling this off.

 

No complaints from me either hoping to visit next week not to fussed about photography just nice to see all in one place as entrance is free the museum will benefit from increased sales of mallard souvenirs and other sundries at a time when the museum needs all the revenue it can get. As spamcan says if you want photos attend the photoshoot.

 

I was on the info stand for the NYMR all day today.
So I was able to get in on the press launch bit before the public opening.
Lots of Railway Names and faces present including Peter Townsend the Kings Cross Shed Master who looked after about 18 of the A4s. Managed to get a quick chat with him as well.

The place was busy all day maybe easing off a bit about 15.00. Very warm.

Back again tomorrow and Wednesday / Thursday next week.
People we spoke to from all over the world, US, Canada, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Australia, N Zealand and India. Also just a few souls from the UK.

 

Great day and very busy so good news. Plenty of donations goiing in as well. Luckily caught one of BBC Breakfasts reports before I left. Saw a few familar faces. Mark Allatt, David Elliot, Steve Davies and a few others who's names escape me. Managed to just cab all 6 A4's before they shut them at 5:30pm.

Although at times its difficult trying to get good photos, the fact that there were so many people around added to the atmosphere of the event for me and how so many people were interested.

Here's one of my favourite from the day and I'll upload the rest tomorrow.

 

Pictures from yesterday's press preview which commenced at 07.00 :

http://railpicturelibrary.zenfolio.com/p636465135

 

The rest of my pictures can be found here http://s818.photobucket.com/user/Da...3&page=1&_suid=137294381341402255156741709144.

Another picture of all 6 but with less people in the way.

 

http://s818.photobucket.com/user/Da...2013/SAM_0470_zps02c37621.jpg.html?sort=3&o=5

Is No. 9 missing a window or is it just er...open?

 

I would assume open.

 

I didn't even realise they did open...

 

Well now I paid a visit myself today and yes I enjoyed it. So here are my offerings on the subject. Granted one or two are a little out of focus and there are a couple of interlopers too, City of Truro lurking in the main hall along with a very sad and dusty looking Flying Scotsman. The only photo that's not quite right is the "panoramic" view as I haven't really used that setting much and should use a tripod. Just go to the link:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/111713224978444559307/posts/9am9cqSR1Ui

 

Another good report from the BBC here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23172277