MALLARD 75.

Whilst those of us who never did like A4s besmirched by GWR green are rejoicing at the sight of three side by side in garter blue.

 

Don't know if the exact numbers have been totalled yet but sometime yesterday NRM was confidently expecting to be admitting its 100,000th visitor since the start of Mallard 75.

 

I DO like that first one - very nice!

Looking forward to hopefully getting to see them in October.

 

NRM staff at the entrance calculate a minimum of 10,000 per day - at least !

 

From my experience of working in there for 4 days on the NYMR stand, the opening day was the quietest and it got busier everyday after up to this weekend. Don't know about it since then.

A comment made earlier about being a "Been there Done that" reminded me about a comment made to me on day 1 at about 10.30.
A bored looking couple were passing by and I asked what their thoughts were.
the response was "Its a national event, its free, its local and I am here"

My own opinion is it is a fantastic event.
And can I express my thanks to all at the NRM for the way that it has been organised.

 

Not sure if it's been mentioned already but this cool 360 degree photo was posted on the NRM facebook...
http://fstoppress.com/vr/a4001/

 

My photos from two visits to this event last weekend are now on my Zenfolio site at http://mickrogers.zenfolio.com/p274414972
The Great Gathering is a job very well done by everyone associated with it. Thank you, one and all!
Cheers,

 

Looks like the Mallard 75 will top 120,000 visitors by the time it closes tomorrow evening.

 

I went on Sunday & I was not disappointed. Great event & brilliant to see the six loco's in one place. The only thing I was disappointed about was the apparent lack of souvenirs. There was pictures, beer & the models for sale. I was looking to buy maybe a t-shirt or a mug with Mallard 75 on it - nope. I think the NRM missed a trick there. Maybe organise some for the October event?

 

Mallard 75 shirts available in the on-line shop. Perhaps they'd sold out at York on the day you were there.

 

It's quite possible, I was in the shop at 5 to 6!

 

Just read a lovely story from the 4464 support crew. A young lad, about 10, was visiting the footplate and my colleague sat him in the drivers seat. The lad's mum then said that his great, great uncle was no less than Joe Duddington.

 

I hope after the event is over, the NRM are planning a commemorative book, (Anthony...?), ie the conception and the history of the A4's, in service pre-war and post war, preservation, and then the Great Gathering, or Mallard 75, whatever the correct name is.

I'll buy the book!

Just one regret that no-one can do anything about, I recall going round Doncaster works on an RCTS visit circa 1963 and seeing "Silver Link" on the scrapline. If only....

46118

 

I visited on Monday and was most impressed. Originally I wasn't going to go, thinking of how busy it would be and that I could just enjoy other people's photos on here (which are great- thanks for sharing ), but I'm now very pleased I made the effort to go. I thought the event had a great atmosphere and that the crowds added to this, and actually, two of my favourite pictures have people in them:

https://plus.google.com/photos/1156...5901545698877585938&oid=115609395788457768316 (above)

https://plus.google.com/photos/1156...5901545535928274706&oid=115609395788457768316 (above)
The crowds helped I think to create a real 'buzz' and a sense of a very special occasion. As others have said it was great to see so many people there who probably wouldn't fall into the category of railway enthusiasts. I particularly enjoyed my cab visits to No:60008 and No:4464, especially the latter, where 'Bittern's chief engineer gave an excellent talk.

Overall I think the NRM have done themselves proud with this once in a lifetime event and it was wonderful to see Nos: 60008 and 4489 back from North America; the opportunity to see all six surviving A4s together, I feel, was priceless. I do agree, though with the comment earlier about the A4 line up being overshadowed slightly by the large Chinese loco right next to them but this hardly matters really.
An interesting observation; in a simple way I rather liked the contrast between the six sleek 'A4's on one side of the turntable with the utilitarian Q1 on the other - Britain's ugliest and most beautiful steam locomotives facing each other.........
More photos at: https://plus.google.com/photos/115609395788457768316/albums/5901545262984203953

 

I was there last Thursday. It was an excellent show and extra catering was laid on so that getting fed was easy. More than worth the gift-aided donation I made!

As for T-shirts, there was just one small size left. When I enquired about stock, I was told that more were due to be delivered 'soon' but they were readily available online which is how I got mine.

 

Well now looking at some of the comments about the A4s being alongside the Vulcan Foundries [of Manchester] built Chinese locomotive. Just think what an A4 would have looked like and performed if it had been built to that sized loading gauge, 175mph+ anyone?

 

Err, a lot bigger?

 

Apart from a lot Bigger............

 

How about MASSIVE!............................................................ only one problem.................................................................... it would be slightly out of gauge for this country!

 

Bigger doesn't always mean faster. There's a formula somewhere that explains how much more power is needed to move each extra ton of weight.