Flying Scotsman

Oh come on Ralph...according to the other thread, it's the evidence that those who want to ban mainline steam have been waiting for. It's all over now! *tongue very firmly in cheek*

 

Thanks to all those who were on board and posted accounts of the day. Sounds like Scotsman delivered a performance that did credit to both Sir Nigel Gresley and Ian Riley. When you consider its age (OK, a lot of metal doesn't actually date from 1923, I'll admit), it's the equivalent of allowing the Stirling Single to run up the ECML unassisted in the early days of the Deltics. This forum has debated the livery and smoke deflector issues ad infinitum, but the main thing is that the sole survivor of a much-loved class put on a top-notch show which has provided a welcome encouragement for all supporters of main line steam at a time when we haven't had too much to cheer about recently.

 

Thank you for posting a super account of the day, made me even more envious that I wasn't able to be there. Also for sharing the links to you great photos, although in Photo 4 0f 20 taken at Platform 1 London Kings Cross I think you should have shouted across to Michael Portillo to please move out of shot as hes jacket colour was clashing terribly with the green livery of 60103.
As for the "man" and child in the four foot of the Up slow. The child ought to be taken away for its own well being.

 

Found these two very good videos on YouTube. The first one from the NRM channel sums up the emotions of yesterday rather well with interviews featuring Colin Green from Riley & Son (who gets very emotional), Penny Vaudoyer, Alan Pegler's Daughter and Sir William McAlpine amongst others:


The second video is from The Railway Engineer channel:

 

A short shot from me taken at South Muskham.

 

I have literally bought into the hype, got my ticket for tomorrow morning's photo session at York last Friday. Would have gone for the evening one but it was sold out! Will any one else be attending over the weekend?

 

Got a ticket for the Sunday evening shoot.

 

Scotsman has featured in the Newspapers again today; centre of the Guardian & in the Mail

 

Two superb video's linked by green five above, and great to see some publicity for Ian Riley's people. They made it possible.

Also I hope this is a welcome boost for the NRM, because like many publicly funded bodies at this time I am sure their finances will be under considerable pressure. I hope somehow they get the go-ahead for their big development project.

46118

 

It looked as though Portillo did a long interview with Colin from Riley's on Thursday, walking around Scotsman in the NRM yard. Whether it'll make the cut into the show remains to be seen, but I hope it will.

Simon

 

I dont know if its anything to do with FS but thursdays Good Morning prog on ITV is not on the ITV hub. All the rest of the week is but not Thursday. I was going to watch the FS related parts

 

What's the crowds like today at the NRM - queuing like they were for the 'Great Gathering' ?

 

Was one of the first to book both morning and evening sessions on Monday - long day with 3 hour journey at start and end but it's all in a good cause.

 

From the very good images one could see that they weren't enthusiasts - no anoraks worn!

 

The museum was pretty busy, not overcrowded though. Queuing out the door at the Station Hall entrance at opening time and still were when I left around 1pm. Attached photo was taken around lunchtime. At a guess I'd say there were 30 to 40 people in total at the morning photo session, not everyone stayed for the full 2 hours so there were less of us left there by the end.

 

Just my 2p...
I think it looks absolutely splendid. A credit to all those who worked on it. May 60103 work for many years to come.

 

Totally agree. It has certainly been worth the long wait.

 

bit quiet this afternoon.

 

I remember being on a train with an A3 on the front into Kings X in about 1959 or 60? I cant remember now , but we over took a diesel hauled train ,must have been on the four track main line somewhere. we arrived at Kings cross , & I remember the crew looking out of their cab , probably now I realise ,looking at the birds going past! But I was only 9 or 10 at the time so did'nt understand these things! Anyway , the bloody sad part of this is ,I cant remember which one it was.

 

how long is it being kept in steam?