P2 Locomotive Company and related matters

I think there were probably lots of reasons of the success of that event. One is that A4s are definitely "glamour" locos and have a following for that reason. Secondly was a rare opportunity for most British enthusiasts to see two of the locos in the line up close to home. Then there is the marketing as "an Event" - capital E. There was an undeniable attraction of it being pitched as a big gathering of related locos (FWIW, gathering five Terriers together was also very popular - quantity has a quality all of its own, as the Russians put it).

None of those reasons I suspect had much to do with the shape of the loco per se, beyond the fact that A4s have a cachet. So I think you might be mixing up cause and effect in assuming that changing the shape of the loco will inevitably add glamour. The bottom line is that as constructed, the loco will have a tremendous presence already, from which derives a loyal following; I don't see that there is much to be gained from a second bite at the cherry.

Tom

 

Tremendous Presence = Correct

 

That's the thing; the decision to build 2007 as 2001 appeared was to make it unmistakeable.

 

Whilst I totally agree that the P2 will have tremendous presence, be unmistakeable and already has a loyal following, my suggestion is not to preclude all those advantages. I merely believe that the A4 front project would be a "relatively" cost effective way of maintaining interest in the locomotive by tapping into the "Glamour" of the A4 and its "cachet" with a wider audience. It is not an "either/or" but an "alternative for a while" option.

 

The way I look at it, whose problem is it at the end of the day? It's really up to Joseph Public to find out what the engine is, by looking at it. I know many people are not in the least bit steam enthusiasts, but how difficult is it to look at a nameplate and number? If it doesn't say it's 4472 Flying Scotsman, chances are it's not 4472 Flying Scotsman. It's become a case of the tail wagging the dog. Surely if the normals are intelligent enough to book themselves on a steam railtour, they're intelligent enough to find out what's pulling it. After all, they seem intelligent enough to research just about everything else on the web...

Richard.

 

Well, you never know your luck. If they have as much trouble with the valve gear as the LNER did they might decide to alter it...

 

It's not what the LNER used though.

 

There's more than one way of skinning a cat - whoever manages to organise the first line-up of A1, A2, A3, A4 and P2 will be on to a winner, I feel!

 

Why I have I just seen £ signs go kerching in those involved at the A1 trust, A4 loco society, The NRM, Saphos and Riley’s? I’d copyright this now if you could @61624!

 

As great as that would be, I feel we should first focus on having all the 'A' Classes of the LNER Gresley/Peppercorn family first and foremost, as we've yet to achieve that dream line up yet as the last attempt was without Flying Scotsman.

Plus I wouldn't be surprised if people debate whether or not the P2 actually deserves to be part of this line up, seeing as the P2s were not designed as top of the line express engines for the prestigious East Coast Main Line, but instead as heavy haulers for the arduous route between Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Not that I'm saying that the P2 shouldn't be included mind you, I'd love that for sure!

Guess I just wonder, would most other folks here agree with a P2 deserving of a place amongst these other star performers in this dream line up? Do people considering the P2 to be of equal standing to the others? Just curious of that myself.

 

If we’re going the whole hog some folks would consider a Deltic, HST, 91 and an Azuma would complete the line up. Its been done before!

 

Whoa there! We can't open this exclusive club to just any locomotive from the East Coast! Strictly LNER Steam Locos only, got to draw a line somewhere.

If we did open it up further, before you know it we'd have Castles, Bulleid Pacifics and a Princess Coronation barging in next...

 

Agreed, but a Stirling Single and C1 Atlantic would be much more appropriate... And now over to the "How would you spend your lottery money" thread...

 

A4s and P2s are OK, I suppose, but they're not Black 5s, 8Fs and WDs though are they?

Runs and hides!

 

This doesn't look 'new' to me. Is it new or one that is being refurbished from a donor boiler?

 

Well, it does say "new copper firebox" so it must be new

But being serious, I'd agree it doesn't look new, except the tube plate is markedly different in finish (cleaner looking). Perhaps the tube plate is new fitted into the original rest of it? Anyone know the actual scope of the repair being planned?

Tom

 

Well, I assumed new from the sign on it. Not being an expert in these things, I took it that the colour was a result of the manufacturing process and would be machined/polished out later on. I don't know the first thing about engineering so I can only go on the info available on the day. Which is what you can see.

Apologies for the thread drift, by the way

 

Didn't they buy the ex-Scotsman A4 boiler? I presume that was to be refurbished ready to go on Bittern - I expect that when they are ready to do it, it will be a quick bottom end overhaul and swap boilers, so could be out quite quickly after it leaves Margate...

 

How many similarities between the A4 and A2 boiler???

 

Perhaps @Jordan Leeds could comment as he is probably doing some of the work.