V2 4771 green arrow to return?

The German Kriegslok 2-10-0 ex Poland that was on the Nene Valley Rly had a fabricated cylinder block assembly on one side.

 

"In the longer term we still see an operational future for Green Arrow, as outlined in our operational vehicle strategy."
I really, really hope I live to see this.

 

I do think the NRM do underestimate how popular 4771/60800 is, I appreciate you can’t get all the toys out the box and play with all them all the time, but towards the end of its last ticket it rather surprised me how much affection there was towards it from so many people who counted themselves as dyed in the wool fans of other companies. As someone half your age Kylchap I hope I see it too!

 

Can't wait to hear the sound of a V2 once more. Just hope it happens before I shuffle off this mortal coil.

 

Well, I would like the Science Museum to transfer, in line with their apparent dispersal policy, 3440/3717 and 4003 back to GWR territory. I dream of seeing these two, a Castle and King in the same place at the same time. It managed to get 6 A4's from the 2 continents together so why not 4 locomotives from 2 museums in the same country? It is clear they have no understanding of history; c/f Locomotion being moved from Darlington. I dream of seeing all these GWR express passenger locomotives of a continuous lineage arrayed in one place before Father Time catches up with me. It would be much cheaper than the A4 circus and I have no doubt much more profitable.

Yours aye

 

I don't doubt it would be cheaper. But more profitable? Bear in mind that currently if you want to see a City, Saint, Star, Castle and King together, you just need to do visit a few different places in Britain. The great gathering was the first opportunity in half a century to see two examples of what is arguably one of the most popular classes of British steam locos this side of the Atlantic, and the last opportunity to see all 6 of the things together for who knows how long. Even factoring in the costs of a return trip for nos 8 and 10 across the Atlantic, I think the great gathering type events must have made a profit very few other railway events could produce.

 

I travelled, and got the family to travel, to the Great Gathering for the A4s. We were taken aback - seriously taken aback - by the length of the queues a while before opening. I'm not particularly an LNER fan, but find the A4s peculiarly charismatic; an effect that worked on the family. The GWR line up you posit would be unlikely to be a "must do" for me, and would not get the same "wow" factor from the casual observer. I've no doubt the costs would be less, but suspect the income would also be significantly less.

 

They've all moved in the recent past, so it would only be a matter of someone/some organisation writing a sufficiently large cheque. There is, of course, a huge anniversary coming up in 14 years time for those of us who will be around to see it and I don't doubt something big will be organised, especially if the current Western region company are still using the same branding. Come to think of it, though, I wonder what's being planned for 1/1/23?

 

All that needs to happen is to do it and give the occasion the appropriate publicity. City of Truro was first to 100 mph, this would mean rewriting the current GNR/LNER myth built on 4472. Actually the first authenticated 100 mph was 2750 Papyrus with some earlier fun from the GWR, for discussion another day. I know, I went to York to see the A4's but this was a once in a life time chance. For to a City, Star, Castle and King opportunity, I'd pay double.
However a little effort could deliver much truth to the narrative. The LMS Princess Coronations (Duchesses) and Stanier classes were at the very least the equal of the LNER A4's el al with the Black Staniers recognised to this day as the best all round locomotive; with the GWR locomotive fleet the most modern and economical of the 1930's. I only wish for a more balanced approach to the Science Museum policy. I was stunned. but hugely grateful, when the Science Museum repatriated 2818 to Swindon. This (the earliest preserved example) of the most influential locomotive design of the 20th century. A Saint should have been preserved but an original 28xx was a pretty good second best with 2999 an amazing replica. I only wonder where the NRM (now RM?) is going in rewriting history; each of the Big Four pushed forward technology, the Southern electric traction, the LMS mass (steam) modernisation and the GWR with continuation of modernisation of the locomotive fleet with significant financial benefit. The LNER introduced great locomotives but with a small impact on the bottom line, I know the LNER suffered with financial constraints but their publicity department did not meet the needs of the majority of their passengers. The NRM should reflect this reality and while it panders to local (and therefore regional affiliations) it singularly fails to tell the real UK locomotive story of the 20th century rather than a gee whizz version for the 21st century.

Best regards

Julian Evers

 

I’ll say this as someone who does have a soft spot for 14xx, 15xx, 28xx and 78xx from Swindon a line up of something like for example 2999, 3440, 4930, 7325, 2857, 6000 and say 6880 won’t necessarily catch the attention of Joe Public as the 6 A4 event did back in 2013.
I know I joke about this but put a GW Mogul, 28xx, Manor, Grange and King next each other what member of the public would be able to tell the difference?
Last time my brother was over from Australia even he asked the difference between 6960 and 2857 and he has a bit of basic railway knowledge. I don’t want to a disservice to the Great Western because I do have my favourites, but unless there’s a bloody good marketeer at York there’s no way I’m going to there for an event like that.
I could go somewhere like the SVR or SDR to ride a GW Branchline with GW stock with a GW engine.
I do realise I may have upset some people with this post so I’ll say no more although I’ll be expecting a visit from a couple of heavies from Wiltshire coming to check on the height of Kings College Chapel or Ely Cathedral!
Anyhow let’s get back to Green Arrow.

 

All you need to represent the GWR is one tender loco and one tank loco.
Seriously though, most people think that the "must have" loco gathering is one from their favourite railway when in fact most lineups won't inspire the public in the same way as the A4s did. Very few classes of loco have a distinctive appearance like the Streaks. Streamlined Duchesses, of which we have one, and Spam Cans, of which we have a few, are about the only surviving locos designs that stand out from the crowd visually.

 

All A4s look the same but their gathering still did rather well!

 

I wouldn’t disagree with any of that at all.

 

If one wanted a significant gathering for 2023 that I fear would fail to draw a crowd one could imagine getting together as much GWR absorbed stock as possible: the two Taff Vale tanks, the redoubtable 813, Didcot's pair etc... even maybe paint a Terrier proper engine green?

 

I would. But I am biased......

 

Your avatar’s a bit of a giveaway Dave!

 

The A4 event was centred around one locomotive and its unbeaten record with support from 5 siblings - 2 of whom were (temporarily) repatriated for the event. The main factor IMHO was the pre-event publicity especially linked to the presence of the 2 visitors and emphasising the limited opportunities being made available. Whilst not too fussed about the collection of GWR locos for a themed event my personal option would be to bring all 10 surviving "Terriers" (including 54 Waddon from Canada !!) together to celebrate their 150th birthday in 2022. Pipe dream perhaps ??

 

Some were green others blue ,some had valances others didn’t .One even had a bell...
Probably more variety than halls ,castles and 6024( to rule out the blue and bell options ).

 

Meanwhile, back to Green Arrow. I'll certainly be visiting when the venue is open for business. How wonderful to also be able to see the famed, but previously hidden Doncaster Grammar School collection

 

Erm.... 3440 is at Swindon which the last time I checked was GWR territory.