TS Queen Mary

The ex turbine steamer is due to leave her moorings on the Thames sometime in the next day or so, does anyoen have any idea when she will depart?
It would be nice to see her on her way down the Thames.

Lets hope a brighter future where she will be appreciated awaits in France.

Jim S

 

Now she is important! - its just over thirty two years since her last Showboat, which came back through the dogleg channel of the Kyles - the only time I have ever done that.

Then she capped it with a final, fine, 55 minute run from Largs to Gourock with just a few of us real nutters on board to wish her farewell.

The next day it was bag on funnel, finished with engines, and sale to Glasgow Museum.

So much for British Government Heritage conservation - her engines were removed, and she was sold to become a restaurant.

Well done the museum profession!

 

I understand her engines still exist so perhaps there is still a chance of her sailing again (albeit a very small one).

Once again, thanks to the lack of british goverment heritage conservation we are loosing her to foreign shores.

Jim S

 

Went past the Queen Mary today, still in situ but the funnels have been removed so that it can navigate under the bridges. Anyone know when it is due to leave?

 

I will tip you off . . . . second week of November as it stands. She is going to Tilbury to be loaded upon a semi sub ship/barge.

 

Thanks for the tip about Queen Mary. Has anyone tried the web site for Port of London VTS ? I'll pst anything if I find out.

Cheers, Neil

PS I was on the final cruise up the Clyde as well. Quite an experience being given a running commentary by a number of "well oiled" former port workers from the Clyde commerical port.....

 

This is the link to Port of London VTS

http://www.pla.co.uk/ships/index.cfm/site/navigation

Looks like a interesting site to browse.

Cheers, Neil

 

Bristol VTS info can be found here - http://www.bristolport.co.uk/shipping-information/in-dock. Its a better list than the PLA one just now as we have Orange Star on ours until tomorrow morning! ;-)

I work for the Bristol Port Co/Bristol VTS and am heavily involved with the database/website.

 

Hi,
As i work very close to the Queen mary, went passed again today as engineers were cuting through the steel work to the permenant mooring. The Qm could be on the move in the very near future. Would love to have a final trip to Tilbury on her before the exile to France.

 

Is this the same Queen Mary TS that on 12 May 1977 worked a splendid trip from Gourock to Inveraray via Largs and other ports, in connection with a Wirral Rly Soc tour from Crewe?

John

 

Yes - that was the day we learn't that we had been robbed on the way back down Loch Fyne - Liverpool F A Cup Winners - pah!

CB who organised that charter was on the phone earlier tonight- happy days!

It was also the day the Glasgow Subway shut early thus preventing a final ride after we docked

 

Current planned date of move - 9th November (TBC)

 

Thanks, TBird Frank - bringing back some memories. It was a really great trip. I had just passed my Law Society exams and this was my treat - although I booked it before I'd got my results! Yes, I remember now that we couldn't 'do' the Glasgow Underground because of a fire. Also remember getting a pair of Class 20s from Gourock; don't remember why as line was electric even in those days.

I bumped into a chap called Dunstan Harrington, who had been at Leeds University at the same time as me. Is he reading this?

John

 

I will have my camera ready. Thanks Channel

 

A few photos taken on Saturday 7th November 2009. The funnels are down, and lying on the deck, also the gangways have now been removed. Quite a few of the various tourist etched stainless steel 'what to see' signs will need to be changed at some point I guess.

 

Still planned for 9th. Will update ETA, sadly I can't make it down.

 

It all looks rather sad - let's hope that she will be better appreciated in her new location - and maybe sail again.

John

 

Around 1000 off the berth tomorrow weather and usual conditions apply!

 

Just crossed Waterloo Bridge on the 521 on my way to work - QM is sat in the middle of the river now,, off her mooring. Plenty of hi-vises on board readying her for the journey East.

 

Some very good photos can be found on the Dover Ferry Photo site http://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=611