Flying Scotsman

I can't see why the tender can't be garter blue and given LNER. Failing that, why not refresh Mallard's image in a few years as no.22 with the stainless steel letters and British Railways on the tender and the cutaway valances - that would be something different and would provide some intrigue. A whole exhibition around the exchange trials could be done, and as we have some of those locomotives still outstanding in preservation, events could be made around it.

I'm not saying definitely do this you know. I'm throwing ideas out there. The NRM always needs to be working on something to keep the museum fresh and interesting for the general public. Mallard refreshed with a variation on its traditional look would be different, and perfectly authentic (including the plaques - never carried whilst in LNER livery you know! Only ever as e22 British Railways and then 60022 in dark blue and dark green).

The valances would be controversial, but as we've seen with Bittern, it doesn't have to be permanent that they disappear altogether, nor does it mean you can't switch between them.

And no I'm not seriously suggesting do it now or the near future - if you hadn't noticed I've been extremely supportive of the way the current restoration has been done. I'm just throwing the ideas out there. That's all.

No need to get all bent out of shape gentlemen. As you were.

 

Not a bad idea, any Blur fans know about Mallard and number 22. When I was young one of my mates thought that was it's number not 4468. After seeing it on the Modern Life Is Rubbish album cover. (though that painting is inccorect as it has LNER on the Tender which it never did in Garter Blue and as number 22.)

 

Or a certain single chimney apple green 2-6-2!

 

That would be the next but it does need a new mo bloc casting.

 

slight problem of a new monoblock casting being needed again, rather a lot of money would have to be raised, Getting back to Mallard, the next time she needs a repaint, could that be the time to ring the changes to illustrate the Mallard story to show she had a life after the record breaking run ? just a cosmetic job, not a return to active use, the museum would have to repaint it anyway at some time.

 

To be honest I think a change of livery is hard to justify with 3 others to show the variations (plus two over the pond).

 

Could she not go to the 3 part block that the latter ones had?

 

Are we all absolutely sure the monobloc is irrepairable.?

 

Could do but it would then alter the appearance with outside steam pipes which the NRM have always said they wouldn't do.

 

Interesting parallel with 4472 / 60103 however. IF the NRM were to replace the mono bloc with a standard pattern assembly - then display the mono bloc within the museum as a display item - what is the difference with operating 60103 in final BR form then operating it in Alan-Pegler period guise as 4472 without deflectors as may be proposed.

An unfair comparison ? I think not as then 4771 would have the form that many people know the V2 as, whilst retaining as an exhibit the original block that made 4771 unique for so long. Another factor is that steam traction on the main line now operates with air brakes, TPWS and OTMR; isn't that equally a major change to the original ?

 

FS can only operate in Alan Peglar mode if it's fitted with single chimney but I don't think the NRM will do that. The fitting of modern safety and braking equipment has no visual impact apart from a extra pipe on the front end.
Casting technology has moved on in recent years and if the money is available a new mono bloc is quite possible with the old one going on display as you said

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/painter-tells-pride-helps-return-7366231

 

No I don't think we are.

I don't know the extent of the damage, but a weld with a PWHT and new liners could be a good option, but its not far off as much effort as getting a new casting made. I am assuming that the block would need to be taken out of the frames...so I'm open to being corrected.

 

Yes, with pattern costs reduced significantly recently with poly, lets keep the class leader totally original with a new monoblock, use the original block as an engineering exhibit, to show what a 3 cyl, locomotive 'Engine' looks like ?

 

Of course the P2SLC are close to constructing a new monobloc either by casting or fabrication. There could be some useful learning here in regard of the V2.

 

But many of the horses would have been "he". I assume geldings retain their gender.

 

I have always refused to apply a gender-specific term to anything made of metal. it just seems illogical.

 

It would make a great hands on exhibit complete with crack to impart some engineering knowledge to the kids... Gets my vote.

I just wonder how much appetite the museum has internally to take on another 3 cyl LNER restoration...Do we know how fit the boiler is...??

Could be a deal do be had with a foundry, 2 castings instead of one. Surely another project could be on the hunt for some castings by then...

As for the roots of "she" I have always been told that "...all machines are female..." in reference to unpredictable disposition. Not that I'm being sexist of course.

 

Whilst there'd be little commonalty in spec due to the totally different valve chests - poppet vs piston, I'm sure the actual design methods and fabrication / casting techniques would be similar.

 

Sure one of the A1ST main sponsors is a foundry, William Cook.