2999: Lady of Legend

Perhaps a more apt comparison would be with the Betton Grange project, which is conceptually closer to the Saint than the restoration of 6989 but which has also attracted overwhelmingly positive comments.

 

I am sorry to drift even further from the original topic (!), but there may be a tiny ray of light on the horizon for younger volunteers. Certainly I, and I suspect many others in my generation, would love to volunteer more actively but my time is constrained by the pressures of my career. I work in a highly competitive sector so I put in long hours, and I don't have much job security so it is difficult for me to make a long-term commitment to any railway. Until recently I was also doing a part-time MA alongside work in a bid to advance my prospects, so you can imagine I didn't have much time left for volunteering!

And of course, I know that the state pension age will certainly have risen by the time I get there (which it has too, given increased life expectancy), and it is difficult for me to save much for my retirement because wages in my sector are very depressed. But... what if, rather than fretting about retirement getting further away, and the difficulties of working in "the gig economy"...what if people were to accept a much later retirement, in return for working less while they are younger? Some political commentators have seriously suggested that, if we were prepared to accept a much later retirement, a four-day week could be a viable option for many people.

This would of course, have the advantage that people could do more volunteering while they are still young and fit. As mentioned, I did an MA until recently, and I worked a four-day week to enable me to do that. Maybe, in a few years when my career is (hopefully!) a little more settled, I could use that day to do some volunteering instead? Just a thought...!

 

Mmmm, Cake.

 

This should possibly be in a different thread, but does relates to this one what with so much hand wringing about the lack of GWR motive power at Didcot. 1450 will be visiting from end of April until early September 2019.

 

Looking forward to this, 1450 is a member of one of my favourite classes of GWR locos.

 

1450? Another reason for me to visit!

 

Leaving SVR after the Spring Gala and back for the Autumn Gala, than.

 

The Official launch of GWR No. 2999 Lady of Legend.

https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/product.php/24/saint-class-no-2999-lady-of-legend

The Great Western Railway 'Saint' class locomotives, introduced by G J Churchward in 1902, represented one of the most important steps forward in railway traction of the 20th century. The class incorporated many revolutionary advances in design and the 'Saints' are now acknowledged to have had a profound influence on almost every aspect of subsequent steam locomotive development.

Unfortunately no example was saved for preservation, the final engine, No. 2920 Saint David, being withdrawn from service and scrapped in 1953, ending a distinguished half century of work by the class - until now!

Since 2004 the Great Western Society has been working to re-create an example of this iconic class.

These are Steam Days, so you will be able to view our collections of locomotives, coaches, wagons and buildings as described in the Centre Guide and in our Guidebook (available for purchase from our shop or at the entrance) and enjoy the various facilities and exhibits.

Discover Brunel's Broad Gauge and the 1930s Engine Shed. Visit the GWT Museum and our restoration workshops. Watch the modern passenger and freight trains from our Picnic Area.

You can walk around the only surviving steam age loco depot in its original condition, and get up close to our large collection of locomotives which are so much more impressive when seen from ground level. Why not explore the rest of the centre including the Archie Trail, the Science Learning & Railways interactive exhibition and visit our shop and refreshment room?

In addition, you will be able to:

Ride in coaches from the Edwardian era. We have two running lines, 'The Main Line' and 'The Branch Line' with trains normally running on either or both of them. You may ride as many times as you like as there is no extra charge
Watch the trains go past. There are frequent journeys on our running lines so you will have plenty of opportunity to take photos from vantage points alongside the tracks as well as ride on the trains.

 

How come it is not possible to write a press release without using the word “iconic”?

 

I’d like an iconoclastic press release.

 

Possibly something along the lines of how the Saints kicked LNER butt when it came to sheer speed?

 

It's almost as over-used a word as 'legend'. Although, admittedly, the latter would be somewhat more difficult to omit in this case.

 

Charles Collett greatest designer of the interwar period.

'Streamling - all a bit over-rated'

Copperwork makes you go faster

However, I've just realised this isn't iconoclasm if you are a GWR-ite but the gospel truth. Funny things these cults.

 

Well Collett was demonstrably a much better designer of big end bearings than Gresley.
Streamlining as being a bit over-rated seems to be the judgement of history
and Copperwork was all about selling tickets, not going faster. (As was streamlining, if we are honest!)

It all depends on your viewpoint really...

I do win a bet with myself though, I bet myself that the initial reaction on this forum to the Saint launch would be principally negative. Funny things these cults...

 

I know we can be a bit partisan on Nat Pres, but that’s a bit OTT.

Oh, hang on. Time I went to spec savers ...

Tom

 

Did you double up by betting on a shrill over reaction to any critical comments? That’s such a banker, i’m not sure you’d get on. If you did you’d have made a killing. If there is one thing about cults, they’ve no sense of humour. That and the drinks are best avoided.

 

I just can't get that positive on poorly drafted and typo-ridden press releases I guess! My bad.

 

If we can separate the (fair) commentary about PR in the industry from the (unfair) cultists comments, could we just take from all this that there is a good opportunity for many people, here and elsewhere, to celebrate a good news story which is the Saint being finished?

 

I confess to being a full member of the Swindon cult, so I'm probably incapable of objective thought, but calling Jimc's post a 'shrill over-reaction' is itself hardly... measured.