Scotsman giving back

I was at Grosmont today and heard that apparently the NYMR was absolutely packed over the weekends for Flying Scotsman's first two days of running. They must have covered their costs and be looking at the next few days being pure profit.

Even the owner of the little co-op shop next to the station said that Sunday was the best day's takings they had EVER had.

I heard that the East Lancs Railway did MUCH better out of that first weekend than they could ever have imagined.

So, a lot of money spent on the overhaul. But a lot of money being earned. And not just by the NRM

 

It has cost a lot to make it happen but NYMR does stand to get a good cash windfall if Scotsman and supporting cast gets to the end of next week without a hitch. Fingers crossed! As for being absolutely packed, unofficial comment from staff is that it has not been as crowded as a wartime weekend!

 

Perhaps 'Scotsman' needs to do a season or two in black to cater for wartime weekends. Mr Riley does a nice paint job in black

 

NYMR got permission to trial a two tone green paint job on Monday in an attempt to keep every one happy seeing Flying Scotsman in their favourite shade of green

 

They're also issuing visitors with striped glasses, to allow them to choose their preferred livery.

 

Personally I think the NRM needs to be thanked for sticking to their guns and getting the job finished (along with Riley's for their high standard of overhaul) and the costs put in perspective of the overall boost to preservation as a whole from the publicity. The number of people, not just enthusiasts, who are turning out to catch a glimpse of FS just shows that the loco still has the draw, no matter what livery it's in, and I hope that we will all benefit from this effect over the coming years.

 

We missed out big time at the ELR by not having a truck load of TShirts for sale emblazoned "My Granddad Drove Flying Scotsman"... ;-)

To say it was busy was an understatement, it doesn't surprise me that NYMR are similarly deluged.

It will be interesting to see if numbers are up generally with return visitors who hadn't been to the railway before. Anecdotally it's been busier than I remember since the Flying Circus.

B

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She looks the muts nuts in 1963-ish condition and the green is spot on!