MALLARD 75.

My Wife and I went today, arrived about 1:30pm and only a five minute wait to get in at the original door. They were operating one out, one in. Great to see them all together, not seen 6 A4's since I was 14! But ,well I have to say I found it all a bit of an anti climax, I thought the A4's were badly posed over powered by the size of the Chinese Vulcan along side Canada and could maybe have been on the roads which are closer together. I look forward to Shildon where they will be alongside each other alla Top Shed.

Just my view

 

Well thought I would contribute with a photo or two of mine. I'm no photographer mind!

 

I overheard someone having this discussion with one of the museum staff. They were limited on where they could put the A4's as a lot of the roads are not long enough for them, plus they didn't move the Chinese loco basically because they decided it was too much hassle to do so.

 

I've added a selection of photos taken at Mallard75 on Friday (earlyticket) and also on Saturday when I took my sons:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steam60163/sets/72157634525415580/

My main impression was that Mallard didn't really seem to be the 'centrepiece'; but overall, I was pleased the A4s were positioned fairly well clear of the turntable, and given the constraints of the Great Hall, they were probably as collectively well positioned as they could be. Nice to see such an interest being taken in our hobby by the 'general public' due to the media-support.

Cheers,
Alisdair

 

Visited on Sunday afternoon. Controlled entrance at work, only a short wait in the queue outside. The NRM have done as much as could be expected given the constraints of the hall. The staff were on good form and the people from Locomotive Services looking after 4464 were well worth talking to. Just get along there and support the event if you can. Yes, it can be busy but I found people to be co-operative and patient - didn't see any arseygraphers (mind I was not looking for them and did spend a fair bit of time in the library checking out a few things). These engines will probably never appear togther again after this agreement comes to a close. Only one lifetime, fill it well, no regrets.

 

Went along on Yesterday afternoon, got there about 4.15 as I thought by then the Cath Ex tour people would be on their way back to the station - which they were Also I think there was a bit of a Murray effect as it was a breeze getting to York and once inside it was pretty quiet. Only one photographer being a bit silly and blowing a whistle at people in his shot, and about 5.45 most people were getting unhindered shots of all six engines from the middle of the turntable.
Just like to add my thanks to Steve Davis, Steam Railway, NRM and all the engine owners for collaborating to bring these 6 engines together - even my wife thought they looked awesome together

 

My footage from the first day of the Great Gathering.

 

My footage of other bits and bobs around the Great Hall at the NRM.

 

Here's one of my shots with all six together.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/graham_williams/9271828228/sizes/l/

Or how about a fisheye view

http://www.flickr.com/photos/graham_williams/9269155445/sizes/l/

 

I trust someone told the photographer where to stick his whistle. what strange behaviour.

 

hello
I took advantage of the early bird ticket which was limited to 50 but for some reason there were only about 30 in attendance with the place to our selves for a bargain £15
but come 10.am the crowds poured in and by 10 past you would be lucky to get unrestricted view
and when a lady asked why they were not all named after ducks it was time to go over to the kwvr for the rest of the day
my results are at www.stevebottrill.zenfolio.com
regards

 

hello again
forgot to say while all the action was going on in the great hall - flying Scotsman could be found in the workshop gathering dust - whats to become of her !!!
regards

 

I personally think that NRM were a bit hasty in changing the livery of Dominion of Canda. It would have been nice to see 4 BR liveried A4s with consecutive numbers. The repaint could have been done for the autumn gathering.

 

It took 7 months to do the work on Dominion. Starting it now would not have seen it ready for October.

 

... but if you visit the NRM you will note that the paint is not the only change made to 60010 / 4489 !

 

Visited NRM yesterday about 15:30 with wife and kids on what turned out to be a VERY hot day. Had to Q for about 30 mins which was just one of those things but was mighty glad once we got in out of the heat.
I ditched the DSLR thankfully following the warnings about clear shots and the number of visitors....how glad I was. Was heaving but to be honest this I felt added to the sense of occasion and contributed to the atmosphere. I think well done to all at NRM in managing this event from it's inception right through to this weekend in a heatwave when drinks and refreshments were still (just) about available.

I wish some on here would remember that events like Mallard 75 are for the public and not just for enthusiasts as are found on this forum. Yes many were there for a day out, many more knew nothing of Mallard or the A4 class before visiting but they will now...that's what museum's do and they aren't the preserve of the railway enthusiast community.

Well done to all!

Dan

 

Visited on Saturday off the RTC trip. Went to the NRM as soon as I arrived at York - looked at the queues and decided not to bother. Did a boat and open top bus trip instead - must more pleasant than standing in a queue for an hour and a half (estimated queuing time according to a steward). Met up with a friend later and went back to the NRM - queue much shorter and got in within about 15 minutes. Nice to see the six A4s together, but I felt it was a bit of a case of "been there, done that". Much preferred Mallard 50 when 4468 was running on the mainline and, in some ways, it was rather sad to see 60007, 60009 and 4464 "stuff and mounted" alongside the other three, but, thankfully, that's only temporary.

 

Unlike some of the miserable old so and sos on this and other forums, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to see Mallard and her sisters, crowds and all. Patience was a great virtue where photography was concerned but I came away with some pics with which I was quite pleased. One of the purposes of a museum is to educate and inform and it looked like an awful lot of people were being educated and informed yesterday. Hopefully this will raise the profile of railway preservation with a wider section of the general public.

Great Gathering02 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

Great Gathering03 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

Great Gathering05 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

Great Gathering04 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

Great Gathering01 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

 

Well, last Thursday was my first ever visit to the NRM, thanks to a couple of work colleagues who knew I was an enthusiast. Wow! Yes, there were crowds and (almost) everyone wanted photos but it was good natured (no whistles!) and when my little camera refused to work I resorted to hold my Samsung tablet up and using that! I only took photos of the nameplates as it was just my personal record, but then again, I'm a great believer in what David Wilcock refers to as the 'Wartburg Experience' where you put the camera away and just enjoy the spectacle. I knew that the NRM covered a bit of ground so I was pleased to wander around later. Clearly I need to go back and look at some of the smaller artifacts and I didn't go into the 'Search Engine' either. Nice to see City of Truro again (last time was at SSS3) and sad to see Flying Scotsman hiding behind a class 47 in the workshops but we know that story. Bonus to pay respects to KGV, last seen in Swindon a few years back - I wonder what it was thinking, sat opposite 6 A4s...? Having a little chuckle to itself over the GW-design inside big ends retro-fitted to the Streaks to finally solve that overheating problem...

Anyway, queue control was good, taking us only about 20 mins to get in. The main cafe was good value for money (black pudding sausage rolls - yum!) and there were other coffee stops etc dotted about the place. Well done NRM. Thanks for a great day and as Arnie said "I'll be back".

 

I had a great time when I visited the NRM yesterday and also at the FNRM evening event on the 5th. My thanks to the many people who have helped to make this event happen- you've all made a whole lot of people very, very happy.
Best wishes.
Anne