Flying Scotsman

It's very easy to start aiming potshots at the hardworking members of the NRM and associated groups who have been working on Scotsman, isn't it?

Fact of the matter is that preservation needs Scotsman. How many preserved railways will see visitor numbers increase as a result of a visit from number 4472? That's why it is dual braked now, of course. It's not just about the NRM finally coming good on an overhaul of a locomotive which will doubtless earn its keep over the next decade - never underestimate the ability of this apple green pacific to bring in the crowds.

In short, I wish the railway media would give the team working on her a break - and try supporting the engine and the museum behind it rather than using her troubles as an excuse to sell magazines. It's interesting how the subject of money gets so quickly spun around by people - I remember when Tornado was finished there were complaints that the cost to build her could have restored X number of engines...

Railway preservation needs to pull together as one in these uncertain financial times, rather than the severe amount of backlashing "I told you so" style of comments and reporting.

 

What, you mean use *good* news for headlines? Never! :crazy: What a mad idea....

The NRM are doing a good job despite everything, as are countless other groups in the UK. Damn the armchair critics, I say! Far too few of them have got their hands dirty or contributed enough to justify what they say....

Foxy

 

Surely it would have been better to finish it completely than drag it to York and to show it of to the media unfinished .

 

Always been the case and always will be Foxy. The thing that gets my blood pressure rising even more is when working 'groups' start slinging mud at each other. C'est la vie!

 

Well I'm in a field in Dorset playing road steam, so no update from me this week, sorry!

 

If you consider the potential earning power of 4472 over the next 10 years of operation, then what has been spent will probably be more than recouped and could also return a profit for the NRM from the investment ....
Just complaining about the purchase and restoration costs in isolation is pointless without offsetting the potential income generated.

 

The cost of Tornado was also spread over many years and is artificially low because so many parts were sponsored. I doubt whether a replica 4472 could have been built for £2.3 million even if it had been spread over another 20years!

 

Couldn't agree more!

 

Surprised to see Scotsmans driving wheels at Bridgenorth today. Apparently needed work on the journals, which seems to have been completed. Was told they are to be returned to York, but I would have thought Bury.

Bill.

 

Even more suprising that Heritage railway were not allowed to print a picture of them at Bridgnorth, yet they were there for all to see at 'peep behind the scenes'!

 

Its comments like that that make me question whether I should bother staying on this forum.

Completely agree with SAC Martins comments.

Getting back on topic I wish all involved in the restoration well.

Regards
Duncan

 

snap, but with a smaller scale engine

 

I looked out of the window at the rain sluicing down this morning and thought to myself "Oh well, not quite so dusty this year......!" Hope you remembered to pack your wellies!

 

If its raining at Stourpaine its not wellies - its waders you need!

 

Sorry to disappoint but we had a dry week, just a bit of rain early Sunday morning so it was dust masks rather than waders!

 

And the finest steam show on earth. Heavy haulage arena, nothing like it.

 

What had you got? Would have been good to meet up! You may have heard me spouting over the PA in the playpen in the afternoons...

 

Well I'm gobsmacked! Only about 20miles away and the showers were torrential and quite long lasting for much of the day - Still, if the forecast tonight is anything to go by, you may yet need the Glastonbury gear!

 

A 3" Burrell, the one with the two little girls in their overalls on the trailer. We managed to escape up through Watford Gap on Saturday night after your(?) commentary finished.