Flying Scotsman

Just a thought................WHY would anybody want to run a steam locomotive today at 100mph? To achieve what? to prove what? WHY? :confused1:

 

18 201 regularly runs at high speed in Germany, most recently was its 160kph (99.x mph) just last year.

Less advertised is Pm36-2 in Poland which runs at line speed for pkp, it has often entered the low 90's on its annual runs to the northern seaports.

So high speed steam yes it has happened and will continue, less than 3 hours from Yorkshire.

whether it happens in the UK is down to politics, policy and cooperation versus back stabbing so prevalent and unique to this country.
it's not down to the mechanics or condition of the engines... They are in fine fettle.

Only a few months ago people were saying "over my dead body" about 60008 and 60010...


So in answer to the question why...

What advertising could be better around the world if an A4 were to do 100mph in the anniversary year ?... It'll be more than the local radio by a long shot.

 

I have two modern Ducatis either of which I could blast up to 160 mph if I so chose. 90 mph on my Norton 99SS gives me greater pleasure. I travel hundreds of miles to classic motorcycle races. If an A4 was to be run at high speed again, I would try to be there.

Why?

Victor if you don't understand, nobody will be able to explain it to you!

 

That is a very good point, , ok if it was done by say 60019 as the opener to the celebrations , then lets face it if advertised as the only officially sanctioned 100 mph run never to be done again then it would sell out , but to do this 60019 would have to done though with a fine comb to make sure that everything is in a1 condition

The spare tender would be a must as to be able to ensure a painless run, its got to be a non stop as much as possible

Now the Question, 60019 would have to be removed from any railtour work for a spell firstly to enable it to be assessed and then for tests to be run in stages up to 100 mph will the owner/ operator be willing to lose income during this time to reap the rewards later

 

You might as well say "WHY would anybody want to run a steam locomotive today?". The answers to both questions will be exactly the same.

 

The only way I can see this happening is if they use 60163 on a very short formation, say six or seven carriages and only let her do 100mph for mere seconds. I can't see them doing it with an "old" loco unless it was subject to a very strict and thorough assessment when all of the motion, wheels, axles, axleboxes, cylinders etc were checked. I would imagine that would cost a fair bit and the loco would be out of use for some time not making an income.

 

Pipe dream it may be, but if the numbers come in for the Euromillions lottery it would be great to dig 4468 out from the confines of the NRM...i'd not care how much it cost...i'll go back to day dreaming now!!!

 

I would join you on my Triumph, What a treat that would be I am sure many in their thousands would be there to see such an eventeace:

 

How did we go from 4472 to racing vintage bikes at 90mph?

giving this a good shove, to getting it back on track, does anyone have any updates, i should imagine that the engine should be getting put back together fairly soon has their been any slippage on the date of the test run from Bury to York?

 

In the Railway Herald there is a small update on page 21 ,it says new horn ties required and these could not be done in time for the fab 4 event.

 

scotsman is beginning to sound like cromwell's knife, "we've had it since the civil war and its had 4 new blades and 3 new handles"

 

Or Trigger's broom in Only Fools and Horses: 17 new heads and 14 new handles! Only Fools and Horses: The Truth Behind Trigger's Broom... - YouTube

 

Latest news from the NRM website says it will now be 46115 to haul the Olympic Flame tour from York to Thirst on June 20th - Flying Scotsman Announcement - About us - National Railway Museum

 

Looks as if they have found more problems with it.

Flying Scotsman's unavailability is due to further essential remedial work required that has been identified in the past week and which involves the manufacture of new parts. Whilst technically unchallenging, the work will be time consuming to undertake and means that the locomotive will unfortunately be unable to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay.

 

Genuinely sad it won't be 4472 carrying the Olympic flame, but that's one of those things. Better the locomotive is overhauled to the best standard possible. Good for Scots Guardsman, and although I (speaking personally) would have preferred Britannia if not Scotsman, that particular locomotive is a sterling performer and a good solid choice.

 

Agreed, Scotsman I can understand as 'probably the World's most famous steam Loco., but why a replacement with a Scottish name for the London games?

With Scots Guardsman's reliability record that will probably fail en route. Why not Britannia, appropriate name good reliability record., to me no contest.

Also sorry to restate but there must be a thorough investigation into the farce that has been Scotsman's overhaul how this mess came about, why further remedial work has been identified at this time, the management of the project, the secrecy involved - all this with our money. Sorry but someone must be held accountable.

 

Sad news about 4472 needing even more work and more "new parts". It really does make you wonder how all of these major problems were missed in the first place and that perhaps Ian Riley should have done the overhaul from Day 1. Lets just hope these are the final problems.

With regards to 46115 being the replacement, I would imagine the name has something to do with it: "Scots Guardsman". I can just see the headlines now ........... "Guarding the flame", "Olympic flame kept under close Guard-sman!" I'll get me coat..............

 

Another delay is I am sure a great disappointment to all involved. One wonders how long the folks in London will continue to support whats happening in the north. It must be very difficult for everyone.

I agree though 46115 whilst a stunning engine does seem a strange choice, surely 70000 Britannia is the logical locomotive. Would the owner have made it available? Just don't see how 46115 is the right choice, there are much more historically important locomotives in traffic and one called Britannia for a great British occasion would get my vote.