Tornado

Sorry if this has been asked before but how were the smokebox number plates positioned on the A1s throughout their life? It seems that originally the number plates were positioned higher on the smokebox doors, and then lowered to the position as on 60163 later on. Even when in early British Railways livery 60163 has always carried its number plate in the lower position - will it ever be carried higher up the smokebox door as per the appearance of the original A1s?

 

I think there is a reason why Tornado's was mounted higher. I think it was because of the Overhead Wires but someone will probably be able to confirm why. As I understand it the number plate was mounted higher when they carried Apple Green and BR Express Blue and some perhaps all carried it higher in BR Brunswick Green with early crest then most or again perhaps all had it mounted lower as 60163 currently carries it.

As I said someone more knowledgable than this 21 year old will be able to correct anything I've got wrong.

 

Every one knows Flying Scotsman looks best with its deflectors on eep:

 

Depends entirely on the locomotive concerned. I would say it's a distinct possibility that all of them had them in the higher position when built, see below:

60114 W.P. Allen

Others as you say, had them across the strap, as below:

60130 Kestrel - note the split handrail and lowered top lamp iron, another detail difference to take into account - a late 50s, 60s one.

Or in the case of 60136 Alcazar, between the strap and the top handrail!

60136 Alcazar

I prefer the higher smokebox numberplate position myself but understand why it hasn't been made so on Tornado. Plus, the locomotive's identity is very much a consistent form (bar the livery). I was hoping they'd put the stovepipe back on too, but it is not to be. Not a big deal, just a matter of personal preference. My favourite form below, albeit not the name and number I'd like!

60140 Balmoral in Express Blue

 

No! The running plate is all wrong and the smokebox is far too long. It looks far more like 4470 as rebuilt by Thompson, especially with the blue paint going on...

 

Believe it or not it is 4 years to the night since Tornado's main line debut. Next Hereford and Shrewsbury on the 24th - in blue.

 

It feels like it's always been with us. A lifetime ago since she was in the grey paint scheme.

I am very much looking forward to seeing 60163 next week at Didcot. I have waited a lifetime to see a blue Peppercorn A1 in the flesh. My only regret is that my late grandfather is not around to see it, and rekindle his memories of 60130 Kestrel in the same livery.

 

Can still remember the huge crowds on the platforms at Chester le Street, as she flew past, much to the delight of my late father.
Her return was just as good later at night, you could hear her from miles away, in a still night.....

 

I love this image from the 6th November that year:



Foxy

 

I went up to Hopwood Lane when it was being built and marveled at the engineering that was going in to the thing. It's a fine machine. I put a couple of shillings in the collecting box and I see the nut and bolt that my donation bought is holding up well. :nod: No reported problems. :wink:

 

I *think* it's outside Southall.

Caveat: it's dark, and we were moving quickly, but there was something big and shiny with the cycling wotsit on the tender in the spot Britannia has occupied over the last week…

I could be completely wrong.

Simon

 

Someone yesterday reported seeing Tornado in Blue being dragged out by a shunter but was also passing on the train so you could have seen her.

 

Could well be Britannia getting ready to move to Bristol, but is dark, blue & black in that 'light' hard to tell - who knows.......

 

Yes, but 70000 is green ;-)

 

They'd have had to have turned it… Britannia was pointing the other way. The Brit hasn't got the cycling lion emblem either, has it…? I saw that pretty clearly…

Simon

 

:doh: Call it a senior moment which I blame squarely on some 1845 ale!

 

70000 has the early crest or cycling lion emblem. Its 70013 that has the later crest but that should be back at the Great Central by now so it could have been either 60163 or 70000.

 

Unless somethings happened recently, she has...

 

70013 is at Loughborough. <BJ>

 

A taster, from the HR Facebook page.
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/68479_301985859905824_1216528266_n.jpg