Flying Scotsman

Keep up Spamcan! See my post further back!

 

Sorry to disappoint everyone. The ELR's winter steam gala's have now been combined as part of a NEW Spring Steam Gala taking place from the 11th to the 13th of March. This rules Flying Scotsman out of any early season gala's on the ELR.

 

The obvious place for 60103 and 60163 to meet is NRM Shildon, perhaps during October half-term holiday next year. There's also scope for running steam-hauled shuttle trains between York and Shildon using the A1 and A3, perhaps on Sundays. Where's the nearest turning facility to Shildon?

Will 60007 have been withdrawn for overhaul by the time FS visits the NYMR? Is there a case for saving the last few remaining "steaming days" of her ticket for the event?

How about an open day at the new Crewe LNWR works with FS posed alongside 60532 and 4464 before their overhauls start? 4464 could be in steam.

FS's first public trains on the ELR will become a "gala" all by themselves! Just steam a couple of the resident locos and run as many trains with FS on the front as you can. What's the longest train you can comfortably accommodate on the ELR? 7 coaches? 8? Even if you double-head (because the star will still be running-in), so long as FS is on the front, with the right publicity the trains will be full.

 

Counter argument (JIMC) agreed with, post withdrawn...

 

Is it planned that 60103 will operate public trains on ELR as part of its relaunch?

 

SNG last weekend on the NYMR is 19/20 September, I cannot see that changing.

 

Discussions elsewhere seem to indicate 19/20th September is cast in stone for 60007, even an extension for the Autumn Gala, was ruled out, they seem to just want to start, and get on with it.

Cannot blame them for that really, sooner started, sooner she gets back!!!

 

Have they only just recently decided to do that? If so talk about bad timing! They have the opportunity to host one the biggest guest to a gala, but they've gone and shifted the event!

 

So, by shifting the event they not only get a normal gala turnout, but also an increased turnout when 60103 turns out, and quite possibly many of the same people turning out twice. Whereas if they scheduled the gala for when 60103 is there they not only lose the double sales, but also quite possibly risk having more visitors than they can comfortably manage with their infrastructure.
Sounds sensible to me...

 

When you put that way, it is fairly sensible, I suppose it's only a little disappointing for those of us that wanted to make as big of an event out of it as possible.

I myself would have people gather round Riley & Son's works at the start of the event, having Flying Scotsman steam slowly out of the works for it's unveiling, with a grand orchestra playing the most triumphant and epic of musical pieces.
Now wouldn't that be lovely?

 

Both the MHR and SVR found that having Tornado working the line attracted more visitors than a normal gala - this was certainly true during her first 2-3 years, though the effect may be wearing off a bit now. With the publicity that Flying Scotsman will generate, the ELR will have trouble coping with the crowds even on a cold and wet January day!

We found on the MHR that it was worth swapping locos between the coach sets, at both Alton and Alresford, so that Tornado hauled as many different train-loads of passengers as possible. Otherwise, the "other" trains would have run almost empty, since everyone wanted to ride behind the "star". On the MHR, though, every train gets a decent uphill run, both "up" and "down". That may not work quite so well at the ELR, where the uphill run to Rawtenstall is more exciting than the trundle back down to Bury.

 

What piece of music would you like? Somthing by Elgar maybe? Or Ray Davies with 'last of the good old fashioned steam trains?'

 

Money by Pink Floyd ?!? Hehe

 

Just thinking about it there is another loco 60103 should have the chance to get itself reaquainted with and thats 4079 now theres not many locos that can have met each other in the 1920's then 60 odd years later met up again on the other side of the world is there? Plus they'd both be in a lovely matching shade of Green!

 

Wouldn't that be lovely is surely from My Fair Lady ? 'Lots of c'owl maykin lots of 'eet...'

Perhaps O Fortuna ?
open the whistle on the last chord

 

Re 4079; As long as it is fitted with a double kylchap and smoke deflectors as well....

 

Deeply liking.........

Cheers,

Alan

 

As long as it's not The Proclaimers!

 

Just heard the perfect piece on the radio - the opening fanfare to "L'Orfeo" by Monteverdi!