45699 Galatea

Re: Galatea

Guard_Jamie,

I guess I see both sides of this - yes, at one level, these are privately owned pieces of rusty iron, that could be melted down if an owner felt like it one afternoon. However, these are elements of the commonweal and I view the locos / carriages / wagons in effect "owned" by people as in effect being in trust to the nation as a whole, and that therefore owners do have the duty to explain what is going on - and, more controversially, to sell them on if they can't / won't do something about the items in their care.

Tobbes

 

Re: Galatea

And now for something completely different, .. .. .. .. how do you pronounce Galatea. Is it Gala - Tea or Gala-te-a or even Gayla-tea, always wondered.

 

Re: Galatea

I think its short A's at first, so you get a 'Galla' rather than 'Gala' or 'Gayla' enunciation if that makes sense, followed by 'tee-uh' rather than 'tea'.

And whilst we're about it, Taliesin should be pronounced Tally-e-sin. (Short E like in 'get').

Tobbes, I accept your suggestion that, an owner of a historical artefact is really a custodian for the next generation and has a moral - but not a legal - duty to look after the artefacts in their care. I think many people, including owners, would agree with that within limitations.

But I challenge the assertion that they have a duty to let people know what is going on. Why? There are people out there in the ownership of unique motor cars, with, arguably, as much historical value as such as Galatea or Scots Guardsman - do they have a duty to let people know what is going on with them if asked? Just because there is a demand for information does not mean it should be provided.

 

Re: Galatea

Ditto

It'll prob get an amusing nickname somewhere along the line, isn't 45593 known as "Coal Hopper" in some places ?.

 

Re: Galatea

Γαλάτεια - Galateia, effectively in English, and note the shortening over the second 'a'. The generally accepted pronouceation is 'Galla-tee-ya'.

For information, No. 5699 was named after HMS 'Galatea', an 'Arethusa' Class cruiser, launched in 1935 and sunk, in December 1941, off Alexandria, in the Mediterranean, after a distinguished wartime career, which included involvement with the sinking of the “Bismarck”. In 1961, a 'Leander' Class frigate, No.F18, was also named 'Galatea', and achieved notable recognition in the 1970s, during the Icelandic 'Cod Wars'. After paying off in 1986, she was sunk as a target in 1988.

The origin of the name Galatea, in ancient Greek mythology, was that of a sea nymph, who was pursued by Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon.

JS

 

Re: Galatea

Yes, that appears to be correct - at least according to a couple of on-line dictionaries (allowing for American accents in the sound clips)

The Free Dictionary
Dictionary.com

I knew about the myth of Acis and Galatea (first written down by Ovid, apparently) but I hadn't realised it is also a kind of striped cotton fabric. According to Wikipedia, the LMS were thinking of one of several Royal Navy ships of that name.

 

Re: Galatea

It seems to me that the fundamental difference between steam locos and pretty much all of the rest of the heritage machinery scene, is that once the loco is finished the public are then asked to pay significant amounts to travel behind the loco in question. Now, if Mr Smith intended to hide the completed loco away in a shed for his own private viewing, well and good, but once the enthusiast public are expected to pay to enjoy the performance of the loco, (and to see it on the main line, as it won't go out at all if no one pays for the tours), I think a compact comes into existance between the owner and the public, which obliges the owner to keep the enthusiasts informed - whilst the enthusiasts take a financial interest in his loco.

Consider what would happen if the enthusiast public simply said, en mass - Yeah, ok, Galatea, big deal, not interested.

 

Re: Galatea

I thought it was Clodhopper.

 

Re: Galatea

Quite frankly, I think that we should all be grateful to Mr Smith for restoring, what was a demic loco, back to working order. I look forward to seeing it run, as and when.

 

Re: Galatea

I wouldn't think the David Smith would give a damn if the enthusiasts said "not interested" as the vast majority of his passengers are not enthusiasts and those that are probably don't share your high handed attitude as to what Carnforth should tell the world. Galatea will fill tours once she's finished of that I have no doubt.

By the way, there are many vintage aircraft owned by private individuals and people pay good money to see them at air shows. Many of these individuals don't have websites and certainly don't tell the world about every move they make in restoring these gems. I've yet to see these people get pilloried for this on the aviation forums, we're just delighted when they appear in the air.

TBH, I think you're in a small minority in your demands for info from Carnforth.

 

Re: Galatea

The public are then asked to pay significant amounts to travel behind the loco, really? WCRC promote their tours, but they're not shoving collecting tins in your face asking for money.
Plus are WCRC's 'in house' runs actually based on the popularity of individual locos? I'd imagine that most of the people travelling on them want to be hauled by a steam loco, whether that be a Jubilee, 8f or Black 5.

 

Re: Galatea

I have been following this thread with interest, and personal agree with other contributors that those in the enthusiast fraternity will just have to wait for it to appear at the owners discretion.
Basically, the owner will only complete his engine as and when he can be assured of income in the future to help pay for the rebuilding, and being made fit for purpose for operating on the national network.
He would have to plan where this income is coming from over the next 10 years - a long time; and it could primarily be charters on the national network at a guess, so he would be negotiating this with the various railway touring companies.
I see one date is already listed on a special Fellsman in early August - and yes I have booked myself on this - but the opportunity of a double header is hard to miss!
Galatea, and its Carnforth stable mate Leander could be completed in time for 2013. If so there would be two Jubilee's looking for the same business?
There has been a contribution from JS at WCRC giving more information on the origin of its name, so its not a case of being "secretive", so yes, when Galatea is ready, they will make an effort to "market their new product" as any business would do.

 

Re: Galatea

Beller - rop - fon ?

 

Re: Galatea

An ancient Greek hero - Beller-re-fun is close enough I think.

 

Re: Galatea

45699 photographed at Carnforth on 5 May 1980.

View attachment 5879

Am I right in saying that she was originally bought as a source of spare parts for 5690?

Looking at the state of her it must have been a very brave decision to restore her to main line running order
especially with the centre driving wheels cut through as can be seen in the photo. I, for one, applaud Mr. Smith
and his team at Carnforth for taking the job on and I look forward to seeing 'Galatea' back where she belongs....
on the main line (in whatever livery), doing the job she was built for.

I personally don't have any problem with 'lack of progress reports'. We all know that the loco is being restored
and will appear when it appears.

As Thompson1706 said.......

 

Re: Galatea

I always thought it was bella-raga-muffin myself

 

Re: Galatea

Enthusiasts should count their blessings.. Had Galatea still been in such a state today, it would most likely be a source of parts for the new 45551 build. Instead we will have both in the future.