Great Goodbye at Shildon alert !

It's certainly no bad thing currently given how much finance the A3 is draining, which will probably push other future projects back a bit.

 

The A3 funding comes from a different pot.

 

120,000 visitors quoted from NRM Facebook page and also:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/ne...lard_and_her_sisters_together_for_final_time/

 

and the men who made all this possible.....driver Joseph Duddington and fireman Bray, masters in steam, day in, day out toiled on these machines, 2 men who found their moment of glory and who should be in the forefront of any celebrations

 

Really enjoyed the visit yesterday, especially the piece by Steamsong in the building, to be shown in full at The Gala Theatre, Durham in July 12/13.

http://johnkefalakerr.com/steamsong-notebook

Late on as the charter passengers departed and the rain set in it was fairly easy to get pictures with a small amount of patience.

Steve Davies made an appearance infront of the line up for a quick picture and got an impromptu round of applause lead by Anthony Coullis with regard to Steve pulling the A4 gathering together.

Top marks to all involved in this once in a lifetime experience.

 

Thanks Andrew - though there is no "i" in my surname, despite what the BBC put on Inside Out last week. You should have said hello.

Corbs, was it you I spoke to on Thursday night at the end of the shoot?

 

Yes that's me!

 

Amazing attendance figures. Well done all.

Let's hope that the campaign to help Head of Steam can gain momentum now - I've done my bit to try & raise awareness in the comments on that page

 

Apologies for spelling Anthony, I did a check online but still somehow chose incorrectly

Seemed busy to chat, but will be back to see 8 & 10 again before they leave

Are they now inside until they go. Anymore events planned / leaving date?

Only wish they'd been a souvenir programme, would of made a fortune

Best regards

 

Cheers Andrew, spelling my name seems to be a haphazard activity always, please don't worry - and it's Anthony too...

Yes, 8 & 10 are at Shildon until 20th April and the team are working up a few ideas for them. Certainly they are going to try and have the cabs open every weekend if possible. Other events will be advertised. Come and have a cuppa, we've been in the same county for 10 years and never met.

The Souvenir programme was that NRM/Daily Mirror publication that was around, however I believe there is to be at least one souvenir publication covering the whole event from October 2012 to April 2014.

 

Dear Anthony

Good news- I was hoping someone would do it. I for one would buy it and no doubt many others on here would too.

I very much enjoyed your mini lecture on Friday when I visited.I totally agreed with what you said about DoC and DDE at the beginning of the talk by the way.
Overall it was a fantastic event and I very much appreciate all the work carried out behind the scenes by so many dedicated staff and volunteers who have made this event happen.The Great Gathering and now the Great Goodbye in turn have given so much pleasure to so many people.

It's not often you see grown men cry, but I saw this on Friday when one elderly gentleman who was former footplate crew was looking at his former loco (DoC) with a decidedly tear streaked face and remembering the old days. This and all the smiling happy faces I saw at the event on Friday really brought it home to me just what Mallard 75 has meant to so many people.
Anne

 

Since I failed to cab either of the locos on each occasion I saw them, a final visit to Shildon is required. Will dates be published regarding cab access? A long way to go to find the cabs out of bounds.

 

Anthony,
Thanks for the offer - I doubt I'll be back especially soon (too far, and too busy restoring things when I'm allowed out) but your offer of a cup of tea has been noted, I am sure our paths will cross at some point! I'm pleased the event was a success.
See also PM.
Cheers,
Phil

 

Although I've been on 60007 a lot and 9 & 19 a few times I queued to cab No.10 just to see what they were like 50 years ago. I did cringe at the 'commentary' given though. Never heard the AWS described as a dead mans handle, that they could be driven from either side and you changed gear like a car by winding that handle.

But I enjoyed it all immensely, and that's what counts.

I take it that they still have heritage insulation, judging by the liberal use of foam filler!

 

Yes Ian, I think Shildon are hoping to have the cabs open every weekend until 20th April depending on the availability of volunteers. I'll post a full programme of dates tomorrow when back in the office. Both are also due one day outside for photographs too.

 

No worries, will reply in depth via PM tomorrow if time allows

 

Thanks Steve, sorry we only got a quick hello in the queue! I'll make sure that our cab stewards are adequately briefed...

They do still have a certain degree of fairy dust, yes...

 

Thanks Anthony. I look forward to reading further info.

 

Seems there was a bit of argy bargy at Shildon.........

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/ne...assaulted_at_Locomotion_s_Mallard_exhibition/

 

I am by no means agreeing with what the lady did, because it's wrong and down right rude, and I suspect my following opinion isn't shared by many people - but to ask people to move (however politely) during a public exhibition seems a bit silly to me, especially as the guy asked on the Sunday, the last (and presumably busiest) day.

I managed to take some pictures I was happy with by having the camera ready and waiting for a 'gap in the traffic' - not to mention wandering around and actually looking and experiencing the A4s.

Sometimes we must understand that there were a great deal of people who went to shildon because it was an event, and their children would enjoy it..they might not understand the need to get the perfect picture.

Also, for those that wanted it, there were the special photo evenings etc

Again, not condoning what the lady did..just my thoughts...