Flying Scotsman

And Freeman, Hardy & Willis...

 

and maybe Uncle Tom Cobley and all....................

 

How do you work that out ? especially the bit about low popularity.

 

Novelty wearing off? It seems unlikely to me, there's always a ready supply of small kids excited by trains with parents who'll indulge them.

 

I don't suppose any of us are possessed of accurate foresight 20 years hence, but I certainly don't see any slackening of popularity for Flying Scotsman amongst the general public. Indeed, having just had several days in close proximity to FS in both an operational and enthusiast / visitor capacity, I can comfortably say I have never seen anything like the enthusiasm, bordering on reverence, amongst the general public that she has generated. Just take a look at the Bluebell's Facebook and Twitter feeds if you want to see quite how popular she has been.

Tom

 

People continue to underestimate the enduring appeal of Flying Scotsman. Quelle surprise.

 

Hopefully before I'm plinthed too!

 

To suggest that Flying Scotsman's appeal will diminish is the biggest load of pony I've read on here in a long time.

 

Gut feeling only, and seriously don't have a problem with being mistaken on this one.

 

I've seen a photo of Scotsman taking a special through Chesterfield Central in 1964. The platforms were rammed with joe public. That was 53 years ago!!!

 

It'll never last.

Tom

 

I believe Elvis Presley's music teacher once told him he would never to be able to hold a note...

 

As Talking Heads said, "same as it ever was."

 

Two interesting comments from people I met who saw Flying Scotsman during its recent visit to the Bluebell. One was from a (non-enthusiast) lady who was driving home from a holiday - taking a rather roundabout route, I must add - when she saw a crowd of people by the line and asked what was going on. When informed that the Flying Scotsman was about to pass by, she decided to stop to watch it go through, but she seemed a bit disappointed afterwards. "It only looked like another green engine", I think were her words to me. However, mentioning the name "Flying Scotsman" had been sufficient to make her stop to take a look. I don't think she would have done so for any other engine.

Secondly, a motor cyclist parked near the bridge at the top of Freshfield Bank (Sloop Lane) to watch Flying Scotsman returning tender first with the last return trip yesterday. After it had passed by, he said to me "I saw it in the 1980s and I don't remember it looking quite like that" so I explained to him about the different liveries, smoke deflectors, double chimney etc. and then mentioned that another train was due in the opposite direction in a few minutes time, but he wasn't interested in staying to see it.

Somehow, Flying Scotsman creates a buzz with Joe (or Jo) public that no other engine seems able to match. Since acquiring its almost "rock star" status following its recent overhaul, I have wondered whether even Mallard, if returned to steam, would generate a similar reaction. For what my money is worth, I would say that it wouldn't, even though Mallard shares the rare honour with FS of its name often prefixed with the definite article. (Rocket is the only other loco I can think of in this category.)

 

Almost the exact reaction I got after a long and (for me as the driver) tiring journey across to see 60103 at Llangollen many years ago, preceded by 'That's not Flying Scotsman!'

Steven

 

It is! Oh please let this not descend into YET another livery debate!

 

Please Sir, can we have a 'blast pipe and blinkers' debate instead!

(No, not really!)

Steven

 

Let's have both! lol
(A livery and blinkers/chimney & blastpipe debate combined)

Sawdust.

 

Oh No !
Sorry, what started as wouldn't they be better with another 90mph Loco then, has drifted into " we all love Flying Scotsman - shame about the paint/chimney/blinkers" So back to the other Big Green Machine now perhaps ?