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A4 event

Discussion in 'National Railway Museum' started by Anthony Coulls, May 9, 2008.

  1. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    Whilst I admit that those visitors who have paid the £32.50 admission have a right to expect to get a decent shot of the line up, the Steam Dreams passengers (who are the people who have really paid to bring the A4s together, not the NRM or the aforementioned museum visitors) and have a right and I for one (as one of those passengers) will not be best pleased to arrive at the NRM to tripod-wealding photters hogging all of the best spots.
     
  2. jackprentice2007

    jackprentice2007 Member

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    oh aye
     
  3. yorksteam

    yorksteam New Member

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    I shall have my tripod also, unless anyone else can take photos while filming it?
     
  4. Brunel

    Brunel Member

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    Just returned from a great event, even if the weather tried its best to spoil it!!

    The sun did make an appearance in the afternoon.

    The image attached was taken after 60009 left, when the sun made an appearance in the afternoon.
     
  5. jackprentice2007

    jackprentice2007 Member

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    i am booked to go to the event tomorrow - well i was

    will they hold this event at a later date with all the A4s
     
  6. charterboy

    charterboy New Member

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    Have to say the event was a farce and was poorly organised. :x :(

    It was not possible to get a front nose end shot of all 4 locos although this was possble when No9 had departed(not really the point as only 3 were there then)

    I would say that it was not though out properly, even the positioning of No.7 was going to be in the wrong place with the point lever obstucting the loco until a group of photographers shouldn't encouragment to move it further

    What should have been an excellent event due to its uniqueness was let down by poor organisation. This is something I have written a letter to the NRM about seperately.
     
  7. charterboy

    charterboy New Member

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    ](*,) ](*,) It would have been, had they not also been selling tickets on the day !!!
     
  8. Guest

    Guest Part of the furniture Account Suspended

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    I think it is now time for Andrew Scott after this, and "1968 and all that" to do the decent thing - and resign!

    This was an expensive shambles that failed completely today, and of course, is at great risk of not happening at all tomorrow, as No 9 is still at Low Fell.

    I will be writing to the NRM and asking how the despicable and brusque type of elitism indulged in today sits with their customer charter as educators, and how they have fared financially - given that they seem to have spent more money on screens to prevent people seeing in, than facilities so that people on site who have been ripped off by this type of price gouging, can actually see the locos.

    No 7, when I looked in from the Great Hall at 14.40 was behind Herrass fencing - what a great display that was!

    I'm sorry - but if running big wheels is what official British Museum management is all about, I am glad that I am in a profession which still has standards
     
  9. Birchwood

    Birchwood New Member

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    I would like to know what that big wheel has to do with railways - it is totally pointless.
     
  10. ipod

    ipod Well-Known Member

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    Am I right in thinking that you weren't entirely happy with the event Frank?
     
  11. jackprentice2007

    jackprentice2007 Member

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    I will also be writing to the NRM - regarding a refund for the so called ''great reunion''

    but i'd like to know if they will ever hold a reunion event again soon with it better planned out
     
  12. Small Prairie

    Small Prairie Part of the furniture

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    Ipod , i dont think Frank will enjoy that comment of yours , theres no long fancy grammer words in it .

    But notice how the two who complain , didnt give pointters on how to improve it .
     
  13. ipod

    ipod Well-Known Member

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    He wasn't supposed to enjoy it..... I don't know, can't please some people, the writing on the can said "four A4's" they opened the can and got four A4's... but for some reason they expect jam!

    If you want jam, buy jam!... lol
     
  14. Brunel

    Brunel Member

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    I agree - we were told that there were going to be four A4s there - and there were!!!!!

    The NRM could do nothing about the weather.

    The event was not purely about getting photos. There were some people there who went just to enjoy the sight.

    Yes, they could had been positioned better - yes it would had be nice to have all four A4s all day - but al in all it was a good day.

    Some of the 'so-called' enthusiasts there today were damm-right rude when it came to the part of the day that allows people to wander around the three remaining locos. It was well advertised at the start that after 1400 the area would be opened up for a closer look. It was unfortunate that this co-incidenced with the only sun of the day - but that the way it goes sometimes. We all paid our £32.50 - we should all enjoy the occasion without being abused and shouted at.

    As for the price - the NRM does alot of good work for the Steam Railway movement in this country - without them we would not have in Steam 3440, 4472 etc. All money goes towards the NRM to help maintain the unique collection of locos etc.

    These sorts of events are never going to please everyone!!!!
     
  15. yorksteam

    yorksteam New Member

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    Yep, unless something happens over night, no.9 will not be there tomorrow, a hot box on one of the driving axles! Might have to be moved by road!!!

    Glad I went for both days, and not just tomorrow!

    Yes the NRM can't control the weather, and they couldn't have been positioned any better due to the uniquness of the NRM there are not 4 tracks in a row, and as for the remaining 3, you can get a photo of them any time of year in the sun, but not Mallard, I stood for ages pointing the camera at it, waiting for people to move.
    i left just as it started to rain again, and got home before the thunder und lightening, and you can hear the whitles from our back door!
     
  16. 4472

    4472 Member

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    That big wheel has brought thousands of tourists to the museum, people who would have never have visited otherwise. Many now have the railway bug. Win Win as far as I can see.
     
  17. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    With any event like this there is the strong risk of conflict between what everyone wants to do , whether it be Photographers who want their photo or Joe Public who want a close up look and to show little one what an A4 looks like . Add to that the risk that something goes wrong on the day either through late running or a failure and in the nicest sense you have the worlds worst job to try to keep everyone happy.

    remember also that those employed by the NRM are not necessarily enthusiasts but are emplyed to raise money to help fund the museum. I did approach the museum about doing an evening event specifically for the enthusiast , limited numbers and I know only with 3 A4's. I received a polite response indicating the NRM had this covered.

    The engines still have some life in their tickets so it may be possible to get them together again and my offer still stands to the NRM
     
  18. Guest

    Guest Part of the furniture Account Suspended

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    Martin

    The NRM should have looked very seriously at your offer in view of your track record in organising charters

    Let the fotters have their time slot - properly laid out for portraits, and then let the public poke and grockle

    The NRM did neither yesterday

    Last Night - £117.50 - Oh yes! - we were all up for that!!
     
  19. chessie

    chessie Member

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    ????????????????
     
  20. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Sounds like it was just as well we didn't spend the £32.50 plus the additional train fare up there for what sounds like a shambles. I think David Wilcock will be chuckling to himself.
    Did they actually line-up all 4 A4's? I can't tell from the comments on her.
    £15 at the Cranmore 150 event is looking like a bargin.

    Edit: I have just read the news about 60009. What a terrible shame for all involved. Perhaps the event could be repeated next year. The demand is certainly there for a repeat of "The Coronation" with 3 A4's. Also perhaps another Gresley design, 4472 could be involved by then 8-[ ? For the line up perhaps another location could be used where there is more room? Just my opinion before you attack me 8-[
     

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