Flying Scotsman

German style smoke deflectors were not fitted to all the other A3s. Quite a few never had them. One interesting one was 60055 Woolwinder with its little deflectors either side of the chimney.

 

A lot of people on here are ridiculing those uncomfortable with the NRM's decision regarding Scotsman as crazed obsessive foamers. I don't think that is the case - although there are some, as can be seen by reading through the letters published in SR. Pragmatism and compromise are the name of the game, for we'd never achieve anything otherwise - it's just that, for many, the NRM's decision regarding Scotsman's eventual appearance steps over the line from compromise to genuinely questionable.

 

Questionable? Ok. Fine. As said before, each vehicle is taken on its own merits. We have said that BR green will appear on the engine, just not for a couple of years. The more people complain about it not happening immediately, the less likely it is likely to happen. Is this the railway world's version of the "Me First" society?

 

Sorry Anthony, I've got more and more caught up in this and never wished to cause offence to anyone. I am thoroughly looking forward to seeing 4472 in whatever appearance it takes when I catch up with it - you have all done a superb job in difficult circumstances, and I am sure that 4472 will reflect that when it is in operation - I have not demanded, and am not demanding, an immediate rethink on the part of the NRM, and I'm sorry if I gave that impression.

It doesn't really matter how it looks as long as it works, I know and think that deep down. I just felt that some were being too quick to come down heavily on one side and wanted to try to even out the score - in which I have evidently failed. I agree with JMJR1000's point that Andrew Dow chose a very bad time to reveal his personal opinions - as have I.

This is my last post on the subject, sorry again to anyone to whom I have caused offence.

 

Jamie - it wasn't intended at you, just a general frustration which my article on NRM restoration and conservation may well at least address. Please don't cease to post, discussion and debate is always good, just feels like a broken record at times.

 

ken record at times, ken record at times, ken record at times...

 

Thanks Anthony, I'm really looking forward to reading it.

 

Exactly. Delighting enthusiasts and the public as she always has done since she was built in 1923.

 

You're quite right, got a little carried away with my initial post! But the point still stand to some extent, Scotsman is representative of an entire class now, in many ways.

As a side note, were Woolwinder's deflectors the same as on the A2/2s?

 

^ What he said !!!!!!!

 

Anthony - after the number of funerals I have attended this last year - there's a very good reason why some of us want Brunswick Green in the not too distant future!

And I'm certainly not agitiating for me first!

 

I know you're not Frank, and it will happen, and we do understand about time. See you at Onslow?

 

Re-reading Steam Railway again, I am a bit perturbed that they are congratulating the PRLCT for their role in the current livery debate, and yet choose this time to air Andrew Dow's amazingly bitter rant about the authenticity of the locomotive's condition that was purchased (and then run in its apple green with smoke deflectors condition) a good seven years ago; alongside the equally bizarre rant in the letters page, which chooses to ignore the fact that the livery is still authentic for an A3 Pacific (Humorist), just not Flying Scotsman in its service life.

That surely is of merit, given it is representative of a class member?
Is not one of the beautiful things about the variety of liveries we have in our railway history, the fact they can be changed at a whim, and also showcase to those who weren't around to see them in the first place?

All said, thank god for Chris Beet for trying to redress the balance in the 4472 article in the same said magazine, though again, it is perturbing to read little asides such as "he claims this" and "Chris Beet claims" throughout.

Overall the way in which Steam Railway read like they are kicking 4472 and the team behind it when they're down is something rather perturbing all the same.

 

Is this letter referred to the one that says the loco should be restored to pure 1928 condition (I don't read SR, just had a quick skim through)? So presumably the loco's subsequent owners, particularly the LNER and BR, are also just as culpable for desecrating what this loco should be as the NRM of whom he is so critical?

 

Maybe reading to much into that? As I'm sure you know, it's a common way of summarising information that flows from someone else, particularly in scholarly essays/articles. Maybe the writer needs to think a little more carefully about reader perception?

 

That's very true, but crucially it's not a scholarly essay - it's an article in what is essentially a "news" magazine, purportedly reporting on the overhaul's progress. I agree with you that reader perception is a factor.

 

the majority of people who will visit heritage lines for the scotsman (that they may not normally do) be the general public who will come to see her just because of the name ....

I doubt they'd be concerned what shade of green she was, if she had deflectors or even if she was running caparotti valve gear

 

Yes Jon, as long as it had the right label...erm Nameplate on

But whats your issue with Caprotti Gear ?.... it would be below the Platform any how so joe public wouldnt be able to tell (but they would be mightily impressed with the chuffs) and no i dont think its a good idea for FS

 

In Italy there isn't actually any FS standard gauge Caprotti steam loco in working condition ! Perhaps in the future we will see operative the 2-6-0 625.308 with 2 inside cylinders but restoration works make progress very slowly !

In working condition there are only some some narrow gauge (0,95 meters) Caprotti tender-locos in Sardinia (FDS - Ferrovie della Sardegna) and Calabria (FCL - Ferrovie Calabro Lucane).

Best wishes to everybody !!