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British A4 Pacific starts the long journey home
does anyone know the route it will be taking. Photo op??
I took pictures of this engine being moved in a B&O freight train in Phila in 1964. It was not on a flat car but moving in the train consist. I have to go back and find those old photos.
according to a recent newswire article, a group at a midwestern university (U. of Mn, I believe) is restoring an AT&SF 4-6-4 as a carbon-neutral demo engine and plan a top speed of 130mph, let’s take the record back from those Limeys!! Also, I think the drivers on the 4-6-4 are a little bigger than the Mallard’s so it should be possible.
England loves its steam loco’s Australia had the Pendennis Castle sister train to the Flying Scotchman its gone home after being on Hamersly Iron Rio Tinto Iron ore line for a long time
Leave the DDE and the Mallard in England. That is ‘home’ to them.
I’m really looking forward to seeing all 6 surviving A4’s together. They are my favourite class - in my spotting days in the late '40s - early 50’s I “copped” all 33 surviving members of the class, so I shall certainly be visiting the NRM or wherever they display them. It was great to see “Bittern” in garter blue with full valances, just as an A4 should look, in steam at Barrow Hill earlier this year.
Further to the “Come alongs” whats the big deal? I have one it great. It’s all about mechanical advantage, a skinny kid or fat sloop can move 40 to 50 tonnes. Check out your local hardware store it the most fun you’ll have standing up!
This is such a momentous event that two A4 Pacifics should be released for the anniversary in York next year from your side of the pond. I know that it has taken much negotiation from all sides and they deserve every congratulation.
This is such a momentous event that two A4 Pacifics should be released for the anniversary in York next year from your side of the pond. I know that it has taken much negotiation from all sides and they deserve every congratulation.
Is there any reason, that when this engine comes back, it could be put back in service? That would be great to have Ikes train going all over. Would be a great peace of history to see. After all it was named after a WW-2 Hero, and One of the best Presidents we ever had, in U.S.history.
Really looking forward to the “Monster Moves” programme
My two favourite locomotives " Big Boy" & A4 pacifics.
Saw a lot of A4 Pacifics as a child visiting Our Grandma not far
from the the main Leeds/London line in the 50’s.
They have arrived: Dwight D Eisenhower & Dominion of Canada. I remember in the early 60s seeing both of these locs pulling ‘The Flying Scotsman’ London to Edinburgh service thundering through my home town at 100mph (Darlington - East Coast Main Line). A joy to behold
Thanks for the loan - look after them when they return
Given the amount of money being spent in this, perhaps 60008 should be placed on permanent loan to the National Railway Museum. I know it has a connection with Eisenhower, but it does seem a bit out of place with the other trains in the collection there. All that needs to be arranged would be the return of the two LNER passenger cars in 2014 and it would make a good contrast with 4468 ‘Mallard’ in showing what the A4 class looked like at the end of their service life.
Way to go, Jim! That’s what I call thinking on your feet.
Another typo: “the Union Pacific Boy”??
Jim, I really don’t think there are 2000 steam locomotives in the United Kingdom in total, let alone OPERATIONAL! I would guess more like 400 operational.
I also thought the “come along wench” was pretty funny.
Excellent job, Jim! After being up all night there at Green Bay, a few typos is good! Enjoyed the facebook updates lastnight on the A4 project. I was only 30 miles south of Green Bay this weekend.
Spell checkers can produce wonderful oopsies. A “come along wench” brings a completely different picture to mind, not suitable for minors. Perhaps you meant “winch”?
Thanks for my morning smile.
John
A come along wench! Thought those were all busy in London this week.