Which loco will haul the Olympic Torch?

My money's on: 1st Tornado, 2nd Scots Guardsman, 3rd Bittern, 4th Clan Line...

 

If you looked at this from Joe Public's point of view (not an enthusiast) I'd say it should be Britannia, simply because of the symbolism of the name - a way to show this is a British event, not just a London one.

The other engines you mention - well, they are all nice engines, but what's the significance of, say, "Bittern"? Tornado has a certain fame outside enthusiast circles (mostly due to Top Gear), but apart from that everything is just a nice steam engine: they are all pretty anonymous.

So, were I from the LOCOG marketing department and I couldn't have FS, I'd be asking for Britannia.

Tom

 

According to the railway herald its 46115.

Andrew

 

I don't understand the need for this thread. It has been well publised that 46115 will be used.

 

Exactly... The NRM have even published it on there website that 46115 will be taking the torch.

 

Well it has been announced that 6115 Scots Guardsmen will pull the train.

The world knows about Queen Elizabeth. Obviously, my choice would be Princess Elizabeth.
I can understand why the 6201 Society would like to underplay this.
6201 has all of the credentials though.

 

Will and Should are two different statements.

46115 has been stated will be hauling the train.
Many people have an opinion on what should.

My guess the rationale behind 46115 is to confuse the public in the long term towards believing "flying scotsman" hauled the train... after all the names are similar.. both will be together in York and most people don't know one steam engine from another.

To joe public If an engine sounds Scottish.. it's probably "The Flying Scotsman train".

Maybe they just hide 4472 for the day, put its smoke deflectors on Tornado, number it 4472 and put Scotsmans plates on...I bet most enthusiasts wouldn't notice the difference either... :fish2: ok on that line i'm off to the door.

 

To be honest I don't give a stuff what hauls it, as long as the preservation movement milks the money and publicity for all it's worth given the Olympics is just a massive gravy train at the end of the day so let make sure we get something out of it.

 

Don't forget the torch is being hauled by steam on many more sections that York-Thirsk. I believe it is also going up Snowdon on the mountain railway and along the Ffestiniog and NYMR. Are there any more?

 

Severn Valley, G.C.R., and Nene Valley at least.

 

Who gives a toss??

We taxpayers have been saddled with billions of pounds of cost - just because of Blair's ego.

Paris was the real winner

 

I know that I'm replying to my own quote. But instead of going by what I typed below, I agree that it is more important that a steam engine is pulling this segment rather than which one.

 

I know it's now rather academic, but given a free (second) choice, I'd probably have gone for Britannia -- the reasoning being a combination of the eminently suitable name and a good reliability record. The latter consideration is important, since you can bet that if the "Torch Train" were to come to a halt halfway along the route, that would be seized on by all and sundry and used for cheap laughs in the way the Millennium Dome was a decade ago.

 

Yes, GCR have announced as well in their weekly email.

 

7812 Erlestoke Manor will be carrying the torch from Bewdley - Kidderminster on the SVR.

 

Even heard a newsreader mention 'the Flying Scotsman' and the torch one evening recently..then to them every engine has that name.
..or from one clown,what was that funny thing I saw on fire go through East Croydon station,some listener enquired on a phone-in.

 

Probably some clapped out DRS Diesel

 

The Rocket replica. :happy:

 

Could not agree more. Not just Blair's ego though.

P.H.

 

No,David...it was CLAN LINE pulling VSOE as it happens.