45407 is back!

Al, I am more than happy for Ian to paint his engines however he likes, but I would disagree with you about it being"most appropriate for where it is going". Blue smokebox embelishments were a feature of Central Belt locos during the last couple of years of Scottish Region steam, ie 1964-66 and appeared probably a year or two after steam finished on the West Highland. No criticism of how the loco is being turned out, but I would not want people to think that it was the norm for steam days up there. We have enough urban myths about the "old days" that tend to become accepted as fact when historical reality was different.

Peter

 

Some of Polmadie's big uns had blue backed name plates, smokebox number plates and shed plates during the green livery days of the 1950s.

 

I agree with you on that one Victor, Stanier used the taper boiler on Princess class inspired by the King class and Jubilees with taper boiler practice from the Halls and on the 8Fs.

 

Yes, maybe, but they did not appear like that at Fort William very often.

Peter

 

Very few CMEs, certainly by the 1930s, 'designed' locos, which job was not in any case their primary function, although often thought of as so by the non-engineer enthusiast. The CME was primarily responsible for the repair, and usually maintenance of a host of mechanical contraptions, certainly locos but also rolling stock and what is referred to as 'outdoor machinery' such as water columns, turntables, coaling plants, cranes, road vehicles, shunting winches and all the rest.

The only two CMEs I know of who would, if the chance arose, sit at a drawing board were George Hughes and his pupil, Nigel Gresley, but usually the CME had far too much to do to engage in such pastimes. What he would do is lay down certain particulars to his draughtsmen, who would come up with preliminary outline drawings. The CME would choose one or perhaps two to be worked out in greater detail, and eventually decisions made and the draughtsmen would begin the detailed working drawings which the CME would sign off as being to his satisfaction. He therefore took responsibility for the design, good or bad, which is why the locos were credited to him and not the team.

 

The Jacobite starts at Easter, I'm up for the week on 10th May too, the start of the two train operation. ( look out for a silver/grey Merc A Class charging up and down the A830). There's a lot going on that week, 60103 up to Inverness on the 10th, 61306 to Dunrobin on the 11th, Kyle on the 12th, Fort William on the 13th and back to Perth on the 15th.
As for your later comment about a decent lineside location, it's the Highlands, there are dozens of them! The only problem up there is the weather so keep your fingers crossed.

 

As an aside does anyone have an idea of 45407's total mileage now, she seems to have been barely out of ticket in preservation days (even pre-Rileys ownership) and thus that combined with a reasonably long LMS/BR career would suggest a monster mileage overall.

Perhaps for another thread but I wonder what locomotive has the highest miles on the clock?

 

From what I've read Gresley was a very hands on CME and got to know a lot of his top link drivers, having the habit of going down from his office at Kings Cross and chatting to them as well as frequently riding with them. It's probably why his locos had padded bucket seats rather than a plank of wood as on the LMS and GWR

 

Expect the worst and you could be pleasantly surprised!

Seriously though, I have been going to the Highlands for years and rarely had a wash out - Spring and Autumn can produce some wonderful weather and usually less midges too.

 

Ian said 250,ooo in Rileys ownership.

 

I’ve been going for the last 19 years and you are right. Last May was glorious and I didn’t get wet at all

 

Saw them both today running past Penrith Beautiful but fudged my photo

 

Been going on holiday to Fort William pretty much for the last 40 years, and I only remember 4 or 5 really lousy weeks. Some mixed bags for sure, but also some baking hot weeks.
Had some stinkers when I do the "out and back in 24 hours from Halifax" trip to Fort William in September / October for the last of the Jacobite seasons though! Mind you, last year it was lovely and warm sat eating fish & chips on Mallaig Station (whilst recovering from the price shock of said dinner!)

Richard.

 

I have been going up for the charters when they ran and since for the last week and although I’ve experienced all sorts of weather I’ve never had s completely duff week. If you went to the chippy behind the pub in Mallaig it’s owned by s fisherman so at least you know the fish is fresh