4464 Bittern to do 90mph on ECML - 29 June & 27 July 2013

While the One Show's segment was atrocious, credit where it is due for BBC Breakfast this morning (and for the lunchtime showing). It wasn't the worst by a long way, and even the presenters got most of the facts right. In actual fact, the footage they showed was rather good, and it was an awful lot better than the One Show's feeble "effort" last night.

James at SVN

 

Easy done in the excitement of the moment!

 

I should think so to, Green Five, you should hang your head in shame, making people sit through that garbage in the faint hope...................................... and then you tell us that you weren't watching it, but recorded it.

And think twice next time Lol!

 

I did feel embarrassed after viewing the programme. Why did I recommend it?

 

Probably something to do with the prospect of catching a glimpse of all the A4's together! Hey ho never mind............................................................

 

Nice little advert for the NYMR:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23149181

Tom

 

Oh my .... Still, I am even more impressed with Mallard's performance (should that be "the Mallard's performance"?) now I know that not only was Duddington driving, but he was firing her as well. What was Tommy Bray doing? Flattening his vowels, doffing his cap and genuflecting to his elders and betters, presumably.

Nice to see a photo of "the Eisenhower" as well.

In all seriousness though - whatever the quality of the journalism, it must be good for the NRM to be getting all this coverage. Some unknown press officer has done a good job somewhere.

Tom

 

I'm amazed to see that Mallard achieved her legendary status despite only being a 'Class 4' locomotive. Imagine what would have happened had a Class 8 locomotive had been used!

 

The quote under the photo leaving Kings Cross:
"This picture shows the Mallard leaving London Kings Cross Station heading to Newcastle in 1955 - 17 years after it sped into the record books. The steam locomotive spent 25 years in service and travelled almost one and half million miles during that time. Despite its long career, the train's boiler only had to be replaced on 12 occasions"

Surely 'The' Mallard didn't have 12 boilers in 25 years? Nahhhhhhhh can't be.

 

My video of Newark now reformatted to 16.9.
Thanks to everyone for their help.
Chris.

 

The next time I see that "luvvie" drinking in Wetherby I'll give him a slap for saying....."the Sir Nigel Gresley"

 

I thought it appropriate yesterday to pay the Great Man himself a little visit to pay not only my respects, but also, by association, all of those on here who also worship at the Apple Green altar to the tune of the syncopated three cylinder beat. Sir Nigel, we thank you .....

 

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Great run on Saturday, Here is a photo of my GPS at MP 42.1, between Biggleswade and Sandy. Not pin sharp due to juggling with a glass of champagne, and a buttered crumpet.
Never the less, taken whilst Bittern was actually doing 90+mph

 

I've never ever reported anyone here, and really hope I never do as I much prefer to sort out any little squabbles here face to face,

But I am really being tested now. I know I should have gone on this train, but my purist views, (which only extend to steam loco operations), about only leaving the Cross behind an A4 on a very fast schedule and stops in the correct places, (and not damn sidings), stopped me.

But this is the second time I have been reminded I missed the on board crumpets. This time even worse as it was a buttered one.

 

Respect.

 

Seconded!

Its nice to see that it is now being maintained.

Sheff, you neglected to mention the cob of coal............................................... ( I saw your FB post! )

 

Quite feasible, but only one (its first) would have been new…

1.5 million miles in 25 years gives an annual mileage of 60,000, so a Heavy General every two years wouldn't be abnormal, interspersed with Intermediate Repairs as deemed necessary. Once in works, the tender would have been sent to the Tender Shop, the boiler to the Boiler Shop & the chassis would work its way down the line having whatever needed doing attended to.

Once the chassis was ready, the next available boiler would have been shipped in from the Boiler Shop & fitted, same goes for the tender. By the time the loco exited the Paint Shop, odds are the only 'original' part would have been the running chassis.

If you've not seen it, this LMS publicity film is most informative:



So, yes, it's entirely likely that Mallard carried 12 boilers in active service. I daresay that info is confirmed by its Engine Record Card.

P.

 

Surely if it had 12 replacements, then it had 13 boilers in 25 years?

 

So you mean the loco I see today in the NRM isn't atom-for-atom the same "Mallard" that ran down Stoke Bank all those years ago? Oh woe! the shame! O tempora, o mores! Dreams and illusions shattered!

(Digs out reference works on long and short frame Drummond M7s...)

Tom

 

Even 'Tornado' is no longer 'original'