Green Arrow

a bit like this? from 1990

 

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For those who remember the "terrible Two" - Ray Towell & Green Arrow

 

In some ways we have a decent mainline pool at the mo , but how nice would it be to see something like Hardwicke on the mainline, in fact it'd be nice to see something like a standard tank back on the mainline! Back on topic though I'm all for 4771 going to Leicster, (despite a certain Mr Wards reservations) it's THE National Collection, what's wrong with locomotives going around to various parts of the country so that everyone (ie the Great British public, who let's not forget are the National Collections owners) get the chance to see what they have a stake in?

 

Have to say, love V2s myself - was fortunate enough to see Green Arrow running in both LNER and BR liveries.

 

Ray Towell, gentleman, raconteur and just a top bloke.

 

Yes I remember matey from when Truro visited ELR. Nice chap.

 

Great tribute to him from Nigel Harris in Steam Railway a while back. He recounts a story about firing to him on Green Arrow on the Great Central. On leaving Quorn Ray's eyes lit up as the long straight towards Swithland beckoned and regulator was left wide open until Nigel had to put a hand on his shoulder and tell him rather bluntly to slow the beep down!

A terrific engineman, enthusiast and ambassador for the NRM who absolutely adored Green Arrow.

 

A lot of us adored green arrow & from chatting to fellow enthusiasts it seems she's sorely missed.

As are the other 2 NRM celebs city of Truro & the super d.

 

Green Arrow without Ray is like a cup without its saucer.

Perhaps its poetic justice that both should leave the main line around the same time; perhaps time to remember rather than restore ?

 

IIRC a pair of trains ran that day, one LCGB and one LNER Society. I was on the LNER Society's 'Gresley Centenarian'. B1 + Black 5 from Carnforth to Leeds, Hardwicke + 9F from Leeds to York via Harrogate, Class 40 from York to Leeds via Chirch Fenton and finally 4472 from Leeds back to Carnforth. LCGB tour used the same pool but on different legs obviously. Had the leading droplight for the whole tour - a bit of a scrum when the train reversed at Leeds - but ended up with no worthwhile sound. Trialled a new mic that day and it was useless.

 

Disagree. A working V2 would be a much better memorial to Ray than a cold, lifeless one in a museum.

 

Yes, there was another train. Busy day - and what variety in locomotives. Happy days. I picked up a signed copy of "Stanier and Gresley" by the late messrs Bellwood and Jenkinson during my visit to the recently opened NRM too - the first of many visits over the next 41 years!

 

Quite so. Not least because of the glorious sound she makes when working hard. The main line is a quieter place without a big Gresley single chimney loco raising the rafters.

 

Whilst I agree with the thought I also feel that Green Arrow without Ray isn't quite Green Arrow - and I go back many years with that combination.

 

I'm saddened by the idea of never seeing a V2 in action again. There seem to be two possibilities: overhaul Green Arrow or build a new one. I reckon the chance of either of these happening would lie with A1SLT. Their experience designing and building a monobloc for the P2 would put them in a good position for doing the same for Green Arrow. I wonder if they and the NRM would ever cooperate to make this happen if the money was available.

As for new build, I'm already making hefty monthly payments towards the P2. I may consider supporting the V4 - after all it's a V2 with a smaller boiler. I would definitely cough up for a new V2. It would be interesting to know how many others would support this if it becomes clear that Green Arrow is unlikely to steam again.

Ballpark figure for a new V2??? 3 million? Any ideas how much it would cost to overhaul Green Arrow with a new monobloc?

 

Why on Earth not?! Most museums rotate their exhibits occasionally. We have seen King George V, Evening Star and Lode Star all come and go from Swindon over the last twenty years.

 

I am not sure that it is just a question of original appearance. If the monobloc is judged to be a historically important design feature of the locomotive, then if I suspect the NRM would insist on a completely authentic replacement - i.e. made to the original specification using the original methods.

That could be done of course, but I remember an interview in SR some years ago in which the museum suggested that it might be possible to restore both 1000 and 6229 for the same money...so, take your pick!

 

I think I prefer the liveliness of the V2

 

that shot shows running from Leeds and is at Armley