Flying Scotsman

Does anyone know if there a plans to bring back steam train rides at the museum? It's a shame that the museum is so static. I noticed as I passed through on the mainline the Rocket replica was parked outside the loco servicing area, is the plan to get it running again?

 

Has it started ?

 

Departed by road to Shildon on Monday. I believe it is planned to operate it there this summer.

Peter

 

Any news on the overhaul

 

I know that it hadn't started at the beginning of last month as a lady that I follow on Instagram had been to scan the loco for a science museum project connected to the loco's 100th Birthday. The pictures she posted showed that the overhaul had not been started. Of course it may well have commenced since then.

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The overhaul has been started and just the locomotive hasn't been dismantled completely. Like when a number of years ago the Q6 was given an overhaul without having the boiler taken out of the frames and it is fact that Scotsman's previous overhaul was very major. So I wouldn't be surprised that just work on the boiler tubes that are needed to get her running again.

 

Scotsman's Bluebell visit postponed to 2023 as the overhaul won't be completed in time as a broken piston ring has damaged one of the A3's cylinders. It cannot be fixed in time due to global supply chain issues:
https://www.bluebell-railway.com/flying-scotsman-visit-2022-bluebell-railway-statement_200722/

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Bugger. Still, Riley's will be bang on top of the job as usual, I have no doubt about that.

Richard.

 

The impression I get is that they'd rather something takes longer and gets done properly than the other way around.

 

The advantage of doing it in-house is that you don't need to give external estimates that get turned into deadlines (either by the client, or by the media beyond that).

 

And the disadvantage of doing it in-house is that you still have to make commitments if you then plan to hire out the locomotive. It's that argument that makes the case for putting work out, because it indulges the assumption that the costs of delay are somehow less real than if they were external and forced into cash terms.

 

In real terms, I'm not there's that much difference. Yes you can levy damages on the external contractor[1], but that still doesn't get you the thing any quicker (or if it does, you get a rush job).
In terms of perception, this is true, sometimes more than once...
[1] Not always, mind, savvy artisan contractors will often say no, especially if there's no-one else that can do their specific trade.

 

It will vary, depending on the particular circumstances. But my experience (non rail) is that there is much more chance of clarifying the real plans and requirements when they span two organisations than when the conversation is entirely internal.

 

Its got to be better for everyone, the owner, Riley's, and tour operators and people who pay to ride behind this icon of steam, that the engine is done properly even if it takes a bit longer, a visit to the Bluebell can be re scheduled, for another time, especially if it can be done to co-incide with the launch of Beachy head, in the meanwhile what is a possible replacement, if the Bluebell can arrange something if Scotsman had any mainline work lined up, then could that engine, also make a trip down to Sussex, My ideal replacement would be something from the LSL stable, or if Carnforth can be persuaded to allow either 34067, or BIL to have a working holiday, covering 60103's duties, either of these would be a very good guest

 

Problem is most that have booked will have booked because it it FS. Tangmere would be a far better visitor to me, but does not have the same mass appeal to the public. It would have to be FS or nothing, otherwise it is just another enthusiast event. This of course totally disregards the fact neither LSL or WCRC may not have the availability or desire to send such a loco anyway.

 

Wonder what the situation is with regard to 4498/60007?

 

Won't be ready until just before the NYMR gala in September.

 

Yes, that defect in the main steam pipe is unfortunate. The report dated 13th July indicates that good progress is being made. They have managed to source materials, particularly a piece of pipe and the supplier of this can also produce the formed end required. The bronze needed in order to produce a new seal cone has been delivered. So that peculiar and somewhat mysterious steel item that was discovered can be replaced. The next update ought to be encouraging. Pity about the extra work but at least it looks as though the A4 has escaped the impact of the global non supply situation.

And I do believe that the A4 would, if available, be the only substitute which could be broadly deemed to be acceptable in the situation.

 

Tickets were sold, and at premium, on the basis it was Flying Scotsman: I don't think any other loco really has the same draw to non-enthusiasts. "We can't supply Flying Scotsman, but here's Braunton instead" would lead to outrage, I suspect, even if many of those buying tickets couldn't actually tell the difference between the two.

"Mallard" - just about possibly. Not, I'd suggest any other A4, which I don't think really cut across to public recognition. "Clan Line" was a big hit last year at Giants of Steam, but that was squarely focused at enthusiasts, and Clan Line is a rarity on heritage lines. I doubt it would have the same cachet as a substitute for FS amongst the general public - Tornado might be the only loco that even approaches in terms of recognition.

Tom

 

An A4 or Tornado might, billed as an emergency substitute with a fair dose of "look what we've managed to do" advertising. But otherwise, I agree, FS is in a class of it's own.