60019 to become 4464 by April

Well, both editors would have egg on their faces if they weren't in on it and it was an April fool.

I'll pass the napkin.....

 

Let's all remember that famous saying "It's only a coat of Paint!"

 

:frusty: Strewth. :frusty: Does it matter? Is it important? Blue, Green, April fool?

 

Is it IMPORTANT. This is Nat pres. What else is there except livery discussion.

 

This would be great if it were true but surely the valences would be out of gauge?

 

I've seen this crop up a few times - on what basis is this made? The A4 valances stay within the loading gauge, being flush with the cylinder covers, and leading edge of the running plate. Mallard had absolutely no problems in the 80s, I cannot foresee any problems in regard to gauging, with the valances on Bittern, if they are indeed going on.

 

(not my picture)

I think the valances do stick out a bit more? And also they are quite prominent at the front so perhaps they could be an issue on curving platforms (as has been mentioned). Don't forget that Mallard's runs in the 80s are now closer to the end of steam than the present, so a lot of things could have changed since then (ECML electrification being the first).

 

I don't think that valances would be a problem IF Bittern is repainted & has valances fitted. No.7 is fitted with pipework running along the running plate and I haven't heard of No.7 having any gauging problems.
(my picture)

 

Let's bear in mind that 'will the valances fit on the modern network' would be the first question asked before anything like this was undertaken.

 

But don't forget since then Mallard has run to Swindon (1990), Doncaster (1998 and 2003) and Shildon (2010) all on the main line with valences and not had any problems.

Regarding the prospect of an April fool I don't think it will be - certainly not by the magazines. There is usually something in there to give you a clue that it might be but having read the article in both mags a few times I cannot see any clues that might make it a joke.

 

Surely even if they do just out a bit they can't be wider than something like a Hall, a Manor or a King, and they seem to fit in most places?

 

Railway Heritage magazine kindly responded to my Email query about whether it was an April fool. The article was printed in good faith based upon information they had received, so if it was false, they were April fooled as well! Yhe magazine was confident that the info' was true and i think it is to their credit that they responded in such a positive way. I've since recived an update to the effect that the loco has been seen in blue livery inside Southall.

 

Well if it is an April Fool that they are aware of then to deny it then would be unreasonable, so either they're not in on it or it really is happening!

 

The latest Steam Railway magazine confirms that the loco is being changed to blue in time for the Great Britain and will carry the identity of "Dominion of New Zealand". Apparently paint is already on the casing and tender.

 

If this information is correct why are R.Y.T.C. and UK Steam showing this tour as 60019 Bittern.

Also will there be one blue tender and one green?

Mike M. (70c)

 

The same article also finishes along the lines of ' as the issue is due out on April 1st it could be an April Fool after all' - so I guess until someone sees it in blue (or green) we won't know!

 

Heritage Railway said the spare tender was beng repainted with the crest re-applied if I remember correctly. Steam Railway also mentions it.

 

Probably for the same reason the UK steam has always refereed to Lizzy as 46201 even though she hasn't been thus for a very long time

 

UKSteam appears to have a policy of using ex-BR numbers - Lord Nelson is on there as 30850, and Duchess of Sutherland is 46233 - neither have ever operated in BR guise in preservation. I don't know what the policy is regarding temporary renaming - check the date that Sir Lamiel ran as King Arthur.

 

Listed on UK Steam as 30777 even though it ran as 30453. April 23rd last year.