Flying Scotsman

Please could someone give me an update on the overhaul of Scotsman it’s been some time since I’ve heard any news about her overhaul.

Cheers

 

The rolling chassis went to Ian Riley's at Bury a few weeks ago for the air brakes to be fitted (I think). But I expect Mr Coulls to be along shortly who can give you a more in depth update.

 

I'll try tomorrow...bear with me please! No promises...sorry...
Cheers
Anthony

 

Went to the NRM last week and there were plenty of bits lying about, the frames have gone off Rileys and the un-wheeled tender was busily being worked on in the workshops. No sign of the boiler though, I assume that's still away being completed.

 

Apparently the firebox is having stays inserted now

 

I was looking on the NRM site today and found a link to a new update on Flying Scotsman's progress:

http://www.flyingscotsman.org.uk/news.aspx

 

Reading SR magazine over the weekend I see that someone is offering to pay £450.000 for the NRM to step away from Scotsman for the next ten years. After the ten years are up this person would give the loco back to the NRM with another ten year boiler ticket on it. Would this be the best way for the loco or should the NRM continue to look after the loco?

 

It's an interesting idea but if I was in charge of 4472 I'd very politely decline the offer. There are some questions that would have to be considered Why does someone want the NRM to step away from her for 10 years? Who is it? Would the NRM get her back in the same condition it will be after this rebuild? Where would she be based? Who would operate it? Would she be looked after properly and not overloaded? And most importantly considering the source is it true?

 

There aren't many people who could afford to make such an offer, and you can probably make an educated guess as to who it is most likely to be...

Regards,

Dan

 

If its the person im thinking of, presumably it would end up being looked after by at least some of the same people in the same place that it was before. Given the condition she was found to be in by the NRM i cant see that happening....

Chris

 

So the locomotive has been stripped down almost to its component parts. It has been inspected, measured, checked and double checked. Everything is starting to come back together, the boiler cannot be very far from completion now, the chassis should be back at York soon (might have already gone) and as far as I can make out very few new parts are now outstanding. There has been alot of work done the finish line could be said to be coming into sight and someone wants to benefit from all this. Money is rather tight at the moment, nice time to make such a move as there may be that some might be tempted. No criticism, just a sign of the times.

I would suggest that the said person would be seen in a better light if they offered to pay a salary grant to the NRM in order for them to employ a worthy minder for the engine over the next ten years. £450,000 should cover that, and pay for a few bits of work too.

 

What kind of percentage of the total overhaul cost is £450,000? That only covers the boiler work doesn't it?

 

and Joe Public has put an awful lot of money into the project.

 

The driving wheels are at Tyseley. http://www.tyseleylocoworks.co.uk/tlw_ods/images102_2/4472_brw_v.jpg

 

in my view York would be not putting the care of the locomotive first if they went along with any deal that gives a third party sole responsibility of the engine, more so if it involves anyone who has "cared" for it before, rightly or wronly there are too many uncertaincies about just how well maintained the engine would be, its better for the NMR to go with either its own people who it trusts, or to appoint someone from with in the movement i who isnt tarnished with what went on in the past.
i am sure that there are other people with in the movement who are well respected and can be trusted to look after this icon

 

Personally I think £450,000 and a 10 year ticket is a fair bit short of what the NRM should ask for if the idea was accepted at all.
After all once it's announced to the general media that 'the worlds most famous locomotive' is back it will probably create as much if not more interest than Tornado's debut. And who ever is running her is going to be generating a lot of revenue, especially in the first two years when I should imagine everyman and his dog will want to ride behind her.
And as has already been said there should be watertight conditions attached, such as maximum permitted load, that she be kept in covered accommodation when not in use and most importantly that the NRM's engineers should be able to inspect her at frequent intervals.

 

Kevin, Could not agree more, someone is trying to make money out of 4472 and of the NRM, thats what i would guess is really behind it , and given the speculation as who might be involved they would be best advised to keep it in house, or when away only allow certain people who have a very good reputation for looking after NRM engines to be allowed anywhere near her .
After all, this is the nations flag ship engine we are talking about here , and not someones next get rich quick project .

 

What are the chances of 4472 earning enough money in its 7 year mainline/10 year steam ticket to cover the cost of not only its heavy overhaul plus an additional £450K? My guess is slim to none judging by what other owning groups are facing, just look at the MNLPS, they have a premium regular contract and still fall short, perhaps this is a good deal?

 

You might make an educated guess at the identity of the person concerned, and you might be wrong. I don't know who has made the offer, but I can think of at least one other person with a large main line presence who only has two big engines (that they control) in their fleet and who might, conceivably want another, and has the resources to make good any wear on 4472 after 10 years. It would make more sense for this person to make an offer than another who is gradually building a large main line fleet that will be competing with one another for the business on offer.

 

I hope the loco stays with the NRM and doesn’t end up with a third party. The loco and the NRM have come so far over the past few years and so close to seeing the finishing line. With another chapter about to open for the loco and the NRM with main line running and visiting preserved railways.