1968 and all that 24 May - 1 June 2008

No.49 finished at Backworth in 1972

 

Sir Berkeley IIRC was one of the earliest stock items operated at the KWVR which is also celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but:

7029 worked one of the final passenger trains out of Paddington
92220 was the last BR steam loco
63395 was one of the final locos working in the NE
45593 was one of the last jubilees working
Trangkil 4 has some significance about it too bu tcan't remember it.

So they all have a link to the End of Steam, just not necessarily 1968, but seeing as it's called 1968 and all that, the all that would include all the things that happened during those final years.

 

No.49 represents the locos that worked after the end on BR

 

1968 and all that. York Fest. Your thoughts....

Having been to the event and come away. I feel let down by the event! The ticket price is too high for what the event is. I thought museums were free....
£11 to get in for very little steam action. Yes I know I could have bought a cheaper ticket but even £9.50 doesn't warrant what is there to see!

I think a far better event could have been had, look at how Railfest was. Fantastic!

But sorry York your let down to the preservation world with this very poor job. The scrappings of the barrel is what is on display!

This is my opionion which I am entilted too. I'm sure many people feel the same and now the show is faced with very few visitors due to the stupid prices. Come on get a GRIP!!

Rich

 

Too expensive!!

Very Poor event!!

Sorry but it was just crap!!

Rich

 

Could you enlighten us a bit more than that. What about it was crap? Why do you feel it wasn't value for money? How could they improve on it?

 

Why would I want to pay to see STATIC Exhibits that I could see at tysley, barrow hill, bluebell etc!

Now an event with an impressive line up. e.g. Crewe, the great gathering.

2 x duchess
2 x princess
1 x Duke

In a line!!

Well that was value for money!

I think it is rip off myself!!

My Opinion! I am entitled to it!

Rich

 

Surely you knew what to expect before you went though. It's been clearly advertised for months. £11 is hardly expensive. Most other days out would be more than that anyway!

 

Re: 1968 and all that. York Fest. Your thoughts....

The exact reason why i didnt go.... To be honest the only locos i would like to see were D9009, 61194 and 63395, All i can see at the nymr for free.

 

Re: 1968 and all that. York Fest. Your thoughts....

A major shame it clashed directly with the GWR Festival of Steam (Who incidently had 2 NRM locos in their line-up).

I also believe the dates for the GWR event were set well before the York Fest.

 

Given the museum is free you can hardly grumble at the £11 charge for such an event. It was nice to see a good mixture of ages at the event too . . .

I visited the NRM on Sunday for the first time and had the event not been on I'd probably have gone away with a different oponion . . as it was the event made the visit worth while.

Regards
Chris

 

I went on Saturday behind 5029 Nunney Castle to the event. I enjoyed my day with some really fast running in both directions. I had a couple of rides on the narrow gauge demonstration line and one on the standard gauge demonstration line. http://tim-easton.fotopic.net/c1516509.html

 

abit quite than i thort it was going to be,Thankyou to the bloke who cut my wrist band off before my hand went purple where admin put it on to tight :roll: hehe,Again staff were very helpfull,still cant believe that even thou people can see you talking to a driver on a engine they still want to push in and move you out the way.watched a few history films in the musuem,liked going underneth a engine.
There was a little something for everyone,trains,beer and my fav the shire horses.

 

Benefit of the coubt is the reason I went.

But to see many static engines that can be seen else where for free! Only a few worthwhile exibits I think.

Rich

 

Well it would cost you £3. 00p to get near 70013 and 63601 at Loughborough.

 

That, Martin is what I have been enquiring about

1968 was a mythical year; first year sixth former looking to qualifications and a future - beer and prog rock's early stirrings; everything we knew coming to a rapid end; fantastic camaraderie that has lasted a generation; not yet an adult - but having to grow up fast - and what has the NRM done about all that? - put a few engines together with one from that year into a yard and called it a topical name.

1968 was more than just engines - it was bashing, nevering, overnighting in bothies and brake vans, filling cars with your mates and chasing steam from depot to depot as they closed, the 20.50 and the 21.25 - after we lost the Belfast Boat Express

"1968 and all that" - Come on NRM - tell me what about 1968 is being celebrated and you will get my £11 - but a budget chasing display as a prelude to £34.13 for four A4s and £117.50 for a plated meal in the great hall - (subject to exclusion clauses). No thanks - I'm with my memories - from forty years and more ago, as well as stomping up to Bramhope last night.

There were four of us from 1968 behind Tangmere yesterday, nine of us behind 5407 on the real 40th for us three weeks ago - that is what 1968 is about - and those, Messrs "OVSB" and "CJBC" who wont be there to celebrate who are probably polishing 5134 and 5342 in that shed up there somewhere in the sky ready for those who follow.

That's what we are remembering!

 

As someone who wasn't there in 1968 (arrived 14 years too late and about 90 miles too far south), I did think about that when I originally saw the list of locos.

To me, I would have much preferred a small display of representative locos, mixed in among other displays to add greater 'weight' to the whole 1968 spirit. How about some of the social changes ongoing in Britain at the time? The traffic and workings that were lost or disposed of, the jobs that no longer needed doing?

Strange as it may seem, something that shows why the authorities were keen to get rid of steam; ignoring the enthusiasts perception of a blind desire to rid the network of 'old technology', how about the filth, the graft, the difficulties of getting labour - all of this played a part in steam's eventual demise. To quote the fireman of a particularly notable special working, "no more dirty 'ands".

No, to me, as someone who was not there at the time, a 1968 display could teach so much about the state of the railways, and the country as a whole, during '1968 and all that'. If you like, its the interpretive aspect that modern museums strive to present. As it stands, I am not sure that a display of various highly polished locos from all over the country does that.