What is my favourite Locomotive of all time? It is quite difficult to choose since I tend to choose a favourite Steam, Diesel and Electric Locomotive and even have favourite DMU's, & EMU's too.
However, if I'm pushed it's an easier choice to make.
This Loco has had a chequered and well documented past but is now owned by the NRM and funded solely on revenue generated by the generosity of the general public. It has that certain aura about it, a real 'legend' of the railway, and just mentioning the running number, you'd instantly recognize which loco I mean......4472.
This particular Locomotive was designed by LNER's Chief Mechanical Engineer, the one and only Sir Nigel Gresley and was one of the brand new A3 Class of Loco. Built in 1923 this loco has a long and illustrious history, spending it's early years as an Exhibition, chosen from it's classmates to represent the pinnacle of British Railway Engineering at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, London.
This locomotive was one of only 5 Class A3's to haul the very first well known service from Kings Cross to Edinburgh, and the very first to run non-stop between the two capitals. Not only that but it holds the record of the first officially recorded steam locomotive to break the 100mph speed barrier. It would go on to spend time abroad running in both the USA and Australia.
It was in Australia when it broke another world record of non-stop running, 442 miles (711 km) from Parkes to Broken Hill, the longest such run by a steam locomotive ever recorded. Although it may have cost a lot of money during it's preservation years, even bankrupting some owners, it still captures the hearts of a nation as it has done for almost 90 years, none more than in 2004 when funds were raised to save this Locomotive after a high profile appeal to the British public, alongside large donations from the Heritage Lottery Funding Group and such rail enthusiasts as Sir Richard Branson & Sir William McAlpine to secure the Loco's future and take it's place as the Crown Jewel of the National Collection.
It is the one and only 'Flying Scotsman', arguably the most famous locomotive in the history of the railways.
In 2005, 4472 entered into the NRM's workshop to be overhauled. Almost 6 years later, after some major setbacks and another public funding appeal, Steam Our Scotsman, tonight would see 4472 back in the public eye, sitting proudly on the Turntable of the NRM's Great Hall. Although not quite out of the woods yet, we are nearing the end of her restoration and thus being closer to some main line testing! Please let this be soon!
So why were me and my Grandad here tonight I hear you ask. Well, as donations were made by the both of us to the ‘Save Our Scotsman’ SOS Appeal, we were invited to see what our money has been used toward. We arrived back from our afternoon in York around 6pm. We were awaiting entrance into the Great Hall to take our places when all of a sudden there was a flurry of camera flashes, each lighting up two men intertwined with the Loco, still under its red shroud. The two gentlemen? None other than Sir Alan Peglar and Sir William McAlpine, both previous owners of ‘Flying Scotsman’. What a great touch that both of them could make it to add to this prestigious event. Although we decided to keep our distance out of respect, it was an honour to be in the same room as these two men.
It wasn’t long before we were joining the queue to enter the Great Hall via the North Yard Car Park. A Bagpiper was hired to add to the occasion which was a nice touch, the sound following us through the entrance and into the Hall. We quickly took our place around the turntable, right at the front and near to the barrage of TV Camera’s and professional photographers….well what’s is good for them! The room quickly filled and we were brought Champagne and Orange Juice for refreshments, courtesy of the NRM.
Even hid beneath the red shroud emblazoned with the number 4472, you could make out the distinctive shape of the A3, a wonderfully built engine. We enjoyed a few conversations with other guests, mostly about their memories of ‘Flying Scotsman’. Although I don’t recall it’s heyday, I still have my own memories, albeit mostly on the recent tour runs through York on the ‘Scarborough Spa Express’.
Next up on the Centre Stage the current NRM Director, Steve Davies, Head of Tata Steel, Chris Terrell, the company which has created much of the steel used in component parts of Scotsman, and Director of Operations for the Heritage Lottery Funding, Bob Bewley. All three gave a speech, giving us insight on the hard work not only in raising funds but the arduous mechanical road to the loco being here tonight, nearly complete. The pleasantries now finished it was time to reveal what we’d all be waiting for since those invites dropped through our doors, the Grand Unveiling of the most famous Locomotive in history.
Steve Davies announced that the restoration team from Riley’s in Bury, where Scotsman has been carefully put back together, were to enter stage right, each taking their place and a handful of the covering hiding 4472 from view. The whole place was now electrified, the excitement shown on every face, young and old as we counted down from ten to one, the sheet was pulled and there, here now, was the ‘Flying Scotsman in all its glory.
It was an fantastic moment and a truly wonderful experience for me personally. As I'm only 28, I have never experienced anything like the seeing a Steam Locomotive rolled out of the engine works, all shiny and new just like they would have been during the Steam heyday.
I was already aware that the Loco had been painted in an all over black LNER wartime livery, complete with running numbers 103 and 502 as it had done during World War II. This was the first time since the end of the war that it has been seen in this colour adding even more prestige to this once in a lifetime event. It looks stunning in this livery, really accentuating all of the lines and curves of the A3.
It was brilliant to be part of this night, history in the making I suppose, to be there at the return of 'Flying Scotsman'. restored back to it's full glory. I spent the next couple of hours just trying to take it all in, watching the enjoyment of people around me, speaking to others and sharing it with my Grandad. We were enjoying it so much we hardly noticed the time, 9.30pm when I next looked and with a drive back to the North East ahead of us, we said our goodbyes and headed for the Car, not before managing to rub shoulders with Mr and Mrs McAlpine, who joked with us ''It's just like 1973 all over again''.
What a brilliant day to have had, I dropped my Grandad off and headed home to bore the wife with tales of our Railway Adventure. A huge thank you to all at the NRM for their efforts for a day never to forget, the return of the ‘Flying Scotsman’!
Until next time,
Craig
