Mallard

Could the NRM justify not having 4468 or 4472 with in York museum. Would a visitor to the NRM be disappointed not to see 4468 or 4472 with in the museum? What other iconic loco could take the place of 4468 and 4472 if they weren't available to be displayed with in the NRM.

 

NRM is committed to keeping 4472 on the main line. They have already experienced several years of having to point at a pile of disassembled components whenever somebody asks after Flying Scotsman.

 

I suppose the biggest "what if" would be the London extension back in the metal and "streaks" on a proper high speed route that should have never fallen into the hands of the "Late Mucky and Slow"

From someone with great and grandparents who were both GN ad GC and subsequently LNER and BR E drivers

 

As much as I admire the GC, it wasn't exactly a high speed route in LNER and BR(E) days.

 

Isn't this the current situation with Mallard at Shildon and Scotsman in bits in the workshop?

 

I seem to have opened another can of worms...........but it would be nice to have something special for the occasion...

 

I recall that the firebox is considered to be in poor condition and would need considerable work.

 

Well, speculation is fun. It would be nice to couple a garter blue A4 to RVP's second 'Beavertail' 1729 which is being restored to 'as built' condition, even if the rest of the Coronation coaches are no more. Will it happen? Not a clue, but I notice that nobody from the NRM has been along to quash the idea...

As for the idea of fitting the valances to another class member, didn't 'Bittern' carry them when it masqueraded as 'Silver Link'? So are they around somewhere - or were they made of cardboard or something?

Phil

 

Over 1700 views in 24 hrs, surely this must persuade NRM to start laying plans. Similar figures for City of Truro another icon.

 

If what people say on here about Mallards condition is true then bringing her back to mainline condition along with fitting TPWS and OTMR is going to run into several hundred thousand pounds. And in today's financial climate is a non starter.
However the suggestion that one of the other A4's be repainted into Garter Blue and renumbered and renamed for a period of a few months around the time of the anniversary sounds pretty reasonable to me. As long as the public are made aware of the fact that she isn't the real Mallard, to avoid anyone taking action under the trade descriptions act. This could be coupled with a "Record Breakers" exhibition at the NRM with the real Mallard, Truro, Hamilton et al on display. With the 'imposter' running tours to the exhibition from various parts of the country.
We all await Antony Coulls reply to this thread.

 

To quote Spamcan81

True but it had the potential for high speed running as is now being recognised with part of the route of the current new high speed links, only 40 odd years too late!

 

You,re hired..............

 

Rather than temporarily rename one of the others, why not organise a series of runs with 4472 and 4498 (SNG)? Both of these hold impressive speed records. Tied in with a Truro and Mallard (and Hamilton standing in for 114mph 'Coronation') display this would make for a good commemoration. Truro could provide rides in the NRM's yard, as it has done before.

I stick with my desire to see UoSA, SNG or Bittern repainted and revalanced to 1930s condition. As someone said, it would be especially nice if they could run with the original style beavertail being restored as well - perhaps the GCR could be convinced to repaint their 'Pullman' rake into Blue and Silver

 

I think the only viable answer - as has been said - would be to repaint a serviceable A4 into garter blue, with valances, either masquerading as Mallard, or as the loco itself in its 30s condition. This could run mainline tours in conjunction with an event at the NRM - a record-breaker line-up (SNG, A coronation, Truro, Scotsman, Mallard).

I for one agree that the blue A4 would only work with the train to acompany it - I wonder if West coast rail - or another tour company - could be persuaded to paint a set of Mk1s into garter + Malborough blue for the occasion, and the mainline vehicle regulations, and diesel backing of trains could be wavered to include the original condition beavertail in the train, with seats in there going for a premium.

There is alot of scope for an event like this - but I think the one thing NOT viable, is a return to steam for Mallard herself.

 

if people are thinking tours, why not run an A4 from London and the A3 down from maybe scotland and meet at York, with Truro and Hamilton out on display and the A4 and the A3 come into meet them, i'm pretty sure Tornado could run a tour in as well maybe from the west?? Has potential, would love to see on back in the silver link colours and one in the Garter blue =)

 

Some wild speculation about coaches, all good fun but recall a few years ago there was plan to move the SVR teak set to the NYMR by rail (no passengers) but even that wasn’t permitted. So the idea of a Beavertail has to be non-starter. If you’re going to do that how about taking the Dynamometer car down Stoke Bank one last time?

 

Being as realistic as possible, the coaches used on any commemorative railtours will be those of whichever Railtour Company utilised, and repainting carriages is expensive! For a 'one-off' such as this it is a non-starter. The use of Teaks or just the Beavertail is a total no-no. Let's be pragmatic, and think how this 75th anniversary could be celebrated in an affordable, popular, interesting way, that will attract both Public and Enthusiast alike.

1) Organise a Summer-long event at the NRM, with the display of Mallard and Dynamometer Car, Duchess of Hamilton and City of Truro, with suitable interpretative displays - videos, information boards etc. 'Cab-it' footplate visits on aforementioned locos a must at weekends and bank holidays (City of Truro operating in the yard selected high-days - perhaps a leaflet to every traveller telling the story of 1904). The NRM's theatre troupe could regularly perform a short performance about 1938 (or perhaps the events of 1904, 1933 and 1938).

2) Regular trips by 4472 and 4498 advertised in conjunction with the display at the Museum - Scarborough Spa Expresses, perhaps a number of railtours from destinations to York. 4498 perhaps repainted and revalanced to 1930s condition (retaining its own identity)? Pleeeaasse!!

3) Special commemorative event on the weekend closest to the anniversary (Sat.30th June - Sun.1st July 2013 - get it in your diary!) - Specifically 4472 and 4498 to operate railtours to York (one from London) and then to the yard - perhaps just for the event 4468 and 6229 can be brought into the yard too (3717 in steam giving rides). The presence of Tornado for the event, whether coming in on a railtour or not would be another draw for both the public and enthusiasts. 1744 (the N2) could visit as a further celebration of Sir Nigel Gresley, the man himself.

What do you think? The events outlined above are as far as I can see achievable and affordable, but nevertheless an effective celebration of a notable anniversary.

 

What ever happens, will need the support of a lot of people, the biggest hurdle is the firebox on 4468 , but if by chance Hoskings were to decide to make the spare boiler availible and support the overhaul if could happen, i dont know how good the mechanics are on Mallard, but as she has recently ran on network metals (dead) the bearings must be ok

Im not sure the propect of cloning another A4 into her identiy would go down that well , An A4 complete with Valances might as well carry its own name and number but as a fall back it could be an idea if done in connection with the NRM for a special week end celibration but it would have to be a run from Kings cross to york with the A4 on the friday evening and then a series of specials using what ever A4 it was, 4472 and Tornado running either shuttles to Shilton or on the SSE route finished up with a return to london on the sunday evening double headed with a combination of either the A1,A3 or A4

 

Jamie

I do like your 'train' of thought.

It would certainly draw in a worldwide audience, just through the NRM's website.

The only possible stumbling blocks of course would be all the relevant thirds parties agreeing to let their charges attend for any given length of time- Though certainly a money spinner for all involved!

I wonder what Anthony thinks of this?

Regards

Dave

 

As someone said, 4472's ex A4 boiler being sold was missing a trick frankly as it would be possible to steam 4468 without overly compromising the boiler currently on it.

I would like to see 4468 steam again at some point, but perhaps depsite the anniversary now is not the time, may i suggest having her ready for when 4472 next ticket is up and ready to step into her place might be a good idea ?.

Im 26 and my memory of 4468 running is a very blurry early childhood memory, in another 10 years we'll have a whole generation who haven't seen such an icon run and i feel this needs addressing at some point, even if 2011 is too early.

4468 is the NRM second most powerfull advertising tool, be a shame not to utilise it at some point.