Two exiled A4s to return from North America for two years - official

Is there a second set of valances, a single chimney, bell and whistle to fit 4489/60010? Which is supposedly what is being planned fo her.

 

Better get Canada on arrival then - why yet another blue A4?

 

I think it's the Canadian Museum's decision after the options were laid out on the table. I welcome that, if it means garter blue, with single chimney, bell and the stainless steel cut out letters, ala Dominion of New Zealand last year. Would be fabulous to see three of each in LNER and BR liveries respectively. If the valances are restored on Canada, all the better!

 

60008 is the odd one out really.

When I saw it, the orange lines were very "day glo" and quite thick orange lines and had been spruced up at some point, short of a full repaint i can't see that being unpicked.
The rods and exposed metal was also painted with graphite silver paint (US typical silver grey) to stop the exposed parts rotting... a good move to protect it for the last nearly 50 years but will also make it stand out if you lined it up next to 60009 (Or anything else in BR lined green for that matter).

What other colour than BR Green could you paint it ?, it was only in LNER guise as Dwight D Eisenhower for a handful of years.

60010's paintwork is quite tired and surface rust on the rods, wheels etc.. a nice clean up to LNER Blue to original condition as described above would be highly appropriate and much more appealing in the Canadian side (remember it is going back).

Question is what about the UK A4's..
we have BR Blue, 2x LNER Blue and 1 BR Green.. it was stated at the time Bittern would go blue for 2 years.. and 2 years is nearly up (and the paint job wasn't the best)... a return of
Silver Link would be my favourite.. would be quite appropriate for a 100mph special railtour.
That would give 2x BR Green, 1 x BR Blue, 1 x LNER Blue (Stainless steel numbers), 1 x LNER (painted numbers) and 1 x Silver.
Unfortunately that would upset the "everything must be 1962 green because thats when I was a kid brigade".. but it would tell a much greater historical story and appeal to the colour seeking public much more.

For the must have 1962's however.. I reckon it would be folly not to have a quick get together of the BR ones (60007,8,9,10) as a home coming before the repaints begin... barrow hill perhaps ?

The sad thing here is the footplate experience..standing on the footplate of 8 and 10.. is not the same as standing on the footplate of any of the A4's here.. which are spit and polished, if not new and the mainline ones with the extra gizmos and some historical but not relevant parts now omitted... 8 & 10's footplates feel used and worn, the parts are cleaned, not polished, certainly not like new and everything including the AWS horns, log books, slightly worn drivers seat, plates etc etc are as BR left them.. The engines coming back are time capsules, i wouldn't be surprised if they found a surprise in the firebox or smoke box.

 

Interesting question that. I'd hope Bittern would stay blue a little longer, perhaps for this event. If she, along with Mallard and DoC are all spruced up to the same era spec, it would make for quite a sight - one people wouldn't have been able to see since before 1941 at the maximum - three fully valanced, garter blue A4 Pacifics lined up alongside each other.

But if it's about liveries and having different ones, then I agree - a repaint into the silver grey of Silver Link would be a stunning addition to the lineup. But, simply as I am something of a purist I guess, I'd prefer to see it as Bittern.

It would be nice to have DoC with the single chimney and bell if possible - it would be unique amongst the A4s preserved for precisely that reason and give a flavour of the original Gresley vision in the flesh.

 

I would also like to see Bittern as Silver Link at some stage. I have a couple of the Silver Jubilee booklets which include the timetable, seating plan etc which belonged to my grandfather.One of the seats is marked in one of them, so he might have travelled on it. He was from North Shields but was living in Surrey, so could have used it to see relataives.

 

Have any of you even considered what it costs to paint a steam engine and do a half decent job?
Perhaps you are all photters and would like to dig deep to bring your desires into reality

 

Yes. That doesn't mean we can't discuss the details and what could be seen, does it...?

I'll happily throw some money the NRM's way if they ask for funds towards the repaints. They haven't indicated that this is the case yet.

What's the harm in dreaming? Nobody is demanding they repaint it this, that and t'other. Just what they'd like to see and in what form.

 

Keep calm and carry on then!

 

Indeed.

 

I'd love a lineup of 6 BR green A4s but I'd also love a lineup of 6 A4s in various liveries, especially if one was silver.

 

If they are to be in this country for two years I'd guess that the opportunity will be taken to maximise the earning potential of their visit and you'll see various line-ups over that time.

 

Having just read the article in The Railway Magazine, I want to express my gratitude to Steve Davies, his team and the Canadian Museum, for it states that Dominion of Canada will reappear with a single chimney, in 1937 LNER garter blue livery, with Coronation accutrements, chime whistle, bell and valances. Just superb, that has made my day, and I will be supporting the venture by visiting both York and Shildon, as suggested by Mr Davies.

 

I'll definately be trying to get to see the 6 A4's together and 60010 will look fantastic o long as the Canadians look after her a lot better than she has been.

 

Maybe a bit harsh...

60010 hasn't had any tlc since 1967.. yet still looks better than several exBarry locomotives which have since been restored.. run for 10 years and then since neglected back to Barry condition again...

 

I guess. It was probably a bit harsh.

 

Really - can you expound?

 

sure..
With not offence to the railway concerned.. 60010 looks, when I recently saw it, in much better condition than this locomotive does a few months back.
(there are several other engines on several other lines which look similar or worse than this, and have run since Barry).




By comparison, save for a Buckeye dent in the front fairing, surface rust on the exposed metal, and fading paint work, 60010 looks OK but after 45 years it needs a refresher.

60008 is comparably very good condition, the only problem being the paint wasn't the correct shade and the graphite painted rods saved the parts from erosion over the years.
Our Atlantic counter parts have looked after them very well considering.

How many other engines in preservation have got a 45 year old paint job that have been stored in a shed structure not too dissimilar to Bridgnorth before they put the doors on it ?

Just to add there are also 2 Mark 1 coaches wearing original BR 1960's maroon not too far from 60008's home, stored outside for around 40 years, and their condition is also better than many mark 1's in use in the UK today.

 

I have to say that I think ADB has a point. We have seen in the past how much more expensive overhauls can be because of poor storage in the 'queue' years. Undercover maintenance isn't sexy and it isn't cheap, but it is one of the soundest investments you can come up with. If you can combine it with an educational/visitor centre element as the SVR has with The Engine House, you add another string to the bow of your railway for the visitor and also open up grant money.

 

Saw 60010 in person 3 yrs back & she looked pretty good for her age - as well , remember she is also subject to harsh conditions in winter in that area , although she is under cover .- just my 2c worth