Flying Scotsman

HI WRONG AGAIN WITH THIS STATEMENT, IF I AM WRONG IS THIS THE SECOND OVERHAUL BY THE NRM AND THE LOCO CAME FROM CARNFORTH TO SOUTHALL IN ITS HEYDAY WITH THE A4 BOILER FITTED TO IT AM I WRONG AND THE LOCO RAN OK ON THE VSOE TRAINS. FISH7373 81C

 

Concur with that..........he/she must be very old..........

 

That's IF anything needs doing. I can't see anywhere that the RUMOUR has been confirmed. Could be, I say again.......it could be.....someone with an axe to grind who just enjoys starting rumours.
Best wait until the official word comes...........if it comes.

 

Well something's afoot with said cylinder, anyone on the works balcony could see it was removed a few weeks ago. What for, is anyone's guess for now

 

I have posted this previously. The centre cylinder casting is positioned to the rear of the smokebox saddle and cannot be seen from the works balcony.

 

Well spotted. Curse your being right all the time! :sorry:

 

Ah! That's the problem, then. It's in the wrong place. How could SR simply suggest it's only 1/2" adrift when it is obviously so much more?

 

With the benefit of hindsight, let's imagine that ( as recommended by the Meanley Report) the NRM had appointed a project team with the appropriate disciplines, paid for the partial dismantling of 4472 and the required investigatory work in order that detailed specifications and plans could be prepared, drawn up legally binding forms of contract, carried out a tendering and evaluation exercise ( disallowing all of the "cottage industry" contractors and providers) appointed independent technical consultants to provide quality control and yet more to monitor the spend and determine value for money ( this is all standard public sector practice) ......would the job ever have got beyond the feasibility stage? Perhaps more of interest, will they ever consider another rebuild project?

 

The answer to that would be a resounding no, As with any heritage magazine , you have to take anything with a large pinch of salt, Idon't get what Fish is getting at either, i did after all end with questioning about the truth of this whole article, or was it because i said the blame laid mostly in its past at that , that must not be named, What is important is that the fault if there is one , is sorted out properly and not just a quick fix that does more damage later.

 

Is it time to mothball this project for now?

Let's see how close to the truth Steam Railway is and IF.....there are large costs still predicted, does anyone think the Science Museum can warrant this large additional spend during these times of austerity?

Mistakes have been made and lessons learned.

Stuff and mount Scotsman for now, she has a good boiler now that is not deteriorating (as long as laid up correctly) and is mostly restored. In a couple of years or more, when funds allow and the exact extent of future works/ cost is known, then have another go. 4472 is going no where is it and it is still "saved for the nation". Lets just be realistic.

Or maybe the "anonymous" person who, via Mr Waterman (Jeremy Hosking maybe was it?) offered a ten year charter and re-build deal might like to come forward once again?

 

Well, one big coincidence, both widely and factually reported, is that both 4472 and 6100 have had alignment problems, and both were last given major overhauls at one particular facility - Southall. This is fact; no amount of obfuscation or screaming and shouting can deny it.

What matters now, though, is to get it resolved. I think that we should be past playing the blame game.

Mark

 

There is a significant difference. 4472 ran for a long time after its last Southall overhaul.

 

Thats True in deed miff FISH7373 81C

 

They can't stop now how many people including the National lottery Heritage Fund, will be anoyed having donated all that money will be rather cross that its not running. Indeed they might start asking for their money back!

 

Knowing what we know now would it have made more economic sence to build a brand new boiler for Scotsman?

regards Tom