LMS Patriot Project Updates

Yes i suppose your right, say throw in Sir Keith Park, GWR rod and maybe a diesel or two named for memorial purpose and you could do an event at NRM about the railways, and there part in the war, and subsequent naming of locos to honour people/places/etc, It could be held in November to tie in with remembrance. Actually that sounds quite good.

 

Well, you could have the Dean Goods, the 04, The Cavell van, 5322 from Didcot, a couple of USA tanks, a 2' gauge Baldwin, an armoured Simplex..... and the list goes on! It could be done! 2018 as a suitable year to aim for?

Foxy

 

Don't forget 60163 Tornado for the RAF link to the Gulf War.

If you worked with, say, the GCR to host it, they have Quorn & Woodhouse which is the "War" era station with second world war decor. The opportunity to have army vehicles and personnel in uniform in the yard at Quorn & Woodhouse whilst the trains run would add to the atmosphere.

EDIT: and as Foxy says, you could have the O4 and Rod - perhaps have them both turned out in ROD livery for the event?

 

Much as the gricer in me would be nice to see such a gathering, were it to go ahead any right minded person should be shouting for the curator's head for wasting so much taxpayers money.

 

Off-topic, but the event could be extremely lucrative for the NRM if it happens.

A literal once in a lifetime gathering, bringing in not just gricers/enthusiasts but a general public aware to some extent of Mallard but now with the opportunity to see the famous engine and its compatriots in a single setting.

The initial outlay to fund the event could be significantly offset by the ticket prices and demand for the event, along with any promotional mechandisable material on offer to commemorate such a significant event.

It's only a waste of money if the outlay doesn't bring the profits to the table later. If the event goes ahead, sells extremely well, and the cost of moving the engines is covered and a profit made, with much publicity for the museum and locomotive owners, then it's a good job all round.

Something which also applies to the ideas being bendied about here - a good idea, refined, and carefully organized into an event with that USP (unique selling point) which entices people to come, will reap the rewards of the seeds sown.

One last thought for the day - If you could find a few well wagons and a willing couple of army tank or jeep owners, a short demonstration train including a ROD locomotive and appropriate goods train would add some more flavour to the event.

So in short, you'd have:

*Launch of Memorial Locomotive
*Lineup of locomotives which commemorate the fallen through the wars
*Demonstration ROD train
*Artifacts and Exhibitions relating both to railways in the war, and the war in general
*Allowing the Poppy Appeal and RBL their own stands and donation tins

A lot to mull over and think on, but carefully refined and timed to coincide with the remembrance weekend, could prove lucrative for all sides and would be mutually beneficial for the locomotives and charities involved.

 

An awful lot of "ifs" there.
That's all well and good if it's private enterprize taking the risk but we're talking public purse here. Your talking as if all the items are going to be available for this event.

Now let me play the "what if" game.
What if the subject of this thread isn't completed?
What if the items from overseas get stuck in-transit?
What if Didcot chooses not to release its ROD?

Such an event would only have my blessing if it was underwritten by the Patriot group with no risk to the public purse,

 

That's why you talk things out, see what's possible, cost it up and see whether or not the risk of making a profit compared to making a loss is manageable. I was simply throwing ideas into the pot as to what could be done, how it would all fit together, what sort of attractions you could have.

There's no harm in putting forward ideas, surely?

As it stands that is where the A4 get together is currently at, last I read in the railway magazines. The discussion stage where you have the idea and then develop the event further with all the details. No committment until you have the full details and agreements drawn up.

 

OK, suppose Didcot won't send out its mogul, I'd forgotten about the WD 2-10-0's and the 2-8-0 on the Worth Valley, and the USA S160's, several 'genuine' Austerity 0-6-0ST's - there is so much WW1 and WW2 material out there it must be possible to arrange a monster remembrance day gala. Hasn't someone got an ambulance coach or two?

Foxy

 

I'd just like to offer my services...I wrote my Undergraduate history degree on Britain's Railways and the First World War (a very poorly studied piece of our railway, military and social history), and have given talks on the subject to the Western Front Association and the SVRA.

I would be keen to be involved in a project such as this.

Shameless plug over

An idea occurred to me the other day, whilst watching a very moving Antiques Roadshow from the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas - would a suitably poignant and appropriate 'first trip' for 45551, with Royal British Legion representatives, veterans, Government members and those involved with the build itself be from Euston to Lichfield, thence by coach to Alrewas?

 

With regards to sorting things out with Didcot (obviously this is all hypothetical) Our Chairman David Bradshaw, is one of the original members of the county project, and the great western society so he is very good friends with them lot. haha

 

That does sound like a good idea. Im sure we will be quite in demand from the Legion, and after 2018 (100yrs since end of ww1) there is 2020 (75 yrs since end of ww2) so im sure there will be lots of opportunity to have all these gala ideas come to fruition. We would love more help, we are always looking for more active people. Send an email to lms-patriot@hotmail.co.uk

Cheers Gavin

 

ICBW but he always introduces himself to me as David Bradshaw.

 

opps , it was late and i had only just got back from work and was thinking Richard Croucher, well thats my excuse anyway. haha

 

Waht does 'ICBW' stand for?

Regards

 

'I Could Be Wrong...'

Just my guess. Mr Oldford may have meant something different. 'Inter Continental Ballistic Weapon' perhaps.

 

Yes. Of course. Very similar surname.

 

What i meant was i was going to put David and Richard were friends from the GWR society. But then i thought i dont actually know if they are friends as i have never asked them. Then obviously i typed Richard Bradshaw in stead of David.



Anyway im surprised no one was interested that the loco will carry another name during its running in period.

 

Will it? I missed that bit. It won't be "Patriot" or "St Dunstans" unless you have some Claughton driving wheelsets somewhere. Perhaps leaving it un-named might be better but a wealthy sponsor might be worth it!

 

For those of you who dont buy Steam Railway, on page 8 and 9 it tells about the running in period of the Patriot (as long as its complete by 2017) which it will carry other patriot names. There are 25 to choose from and Steam railway readers will vote for 2 names to be on the loco for 3 months each. This still leaves another 6 months where it will be auctioned off to the highest bidders for there preference.

If you are interested in joining the project please see Creating the new Royal British Legion Endorsed National Memorial Engine and download a membership form.


Also if your in the Wigan area this weekend our sales stand will be there so come and say hello. This (along with being at the Sheffield railwayana auction where there selling Manchester United nameplate on Sat) will be our last weekend of the year with the sales stand so if you need any last minute Christmas items come and have a look. ;-)

 

We now have a Blog page for info about the project and the voluntary side of things.
LMS Patriot Project