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British steam locomotives return to homeland
I hope the Brits keep them. They don’t belong in North Amarica.
These are two of the finest steam locomotives ever made. Should we send back all Rolls Royce’s while we are at it? It would be rude to return them since they are gifts of gratitude for what the US and Canada did for the UK during WQ II.
Very nice of the British to let us have these examples of fine workmanship and grace–would be first-rate if somehow they were to steam again, they are now in a place where that happens alot.
For those of you that have not been to the York Museum it is a most enchanted place. Beats all I have ever seen.
Let’s hope these (2) locos come back to No. America.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the world steam speed record run by ‘Mallard’ all 6 surviving A4 class locos are being reunited. The two kindly loaned by Canada and the US are only over here for two years and will then be returned, having had some cosmetic restoration work. The National Railway Museum incorporates a fully operational locomotive workshop, which is open to visitors (from a viewing gallery). As John Z says, the museum is indeed a great day out - and it’s free!
They will be there on loan for two years. They are to be cosmetically restored. After that they will be returned to their owners.
The article doesn’t say if these engines are on loan or are being given to the British. Either way, it would be great if they could be returned to steam. Given the current state of things in the U.S., maybe they are better off in England at least for now. I keep remembering the fate of CB & Q 5632. Also, money seems to be so tight here, that it’s a wonder that any American steam locos are being restored and/or running.
Saw Mallard this Summer at Railfest in York. All three locos together will be real sight.
The pair are the subject of a loan, the primary condition of
which being they must be returned to their owners, which will
take place in 2014. Both will be restored (though not to running order), DWIGHT D EISENHOWER as is in latter day British Railways colours, but DOMINION OF CANADA to 1930s
LNER blue, with the bell presented by Canada remounted in
its former location ahead of the chimney. Don’t belong in
North America? It’s a point of view, but they were gifted and
accepted, and one of them honours a very famous American
citizen indeed.
Please check some of the older News Wire articles and the October issue of Trains. The two locomotives are being loaned to the British and will be cosmetically overhauled during their two year stay. They will be returned when the celebration of the world speed record for a steam locomotive is over.
We would love the UK to keep both of them Mr. Hays but they will be returned to their rightfull owners in about two years time after they have been reunited with their fellow class members for a while and had some work done to them along with a repaint.
I for one thank the respective museums for lending them to the National Railway Museum for the duration. I look forward to seeing them all together again in York next year.
I was in York at the Rail Museum. The two locomotives will be well cared for. The Brits seem to cherish historically significant items much more than we do. I plan on a trip to see these thorough breds in their short reunion.
I was of the belief that the Mallard broke the 112 mph record of the #999 in 1893. The Germans had a record??? where/when???
Speaking on behalf of all of us railfan Yanks, that won’t be able to make it across the pond for the festivities, any pictures that could be posted would be greatly appreciated.
According to the April 2012 Trains Magazine, the claim of 112 mph for the 999 was discredited within a decade of being claimed.
There is also the record set by the PRR in 1905, first run of the Pennsylvania Special. I have seen that one quoted as 127.01 mph. Yeah, sure, timing to the nearest 0.01 mph of an ordinary passenger run, not a record attempt, with no special preparation, in 1905 . If you believe it, then I have rediscovered Death Valley Scotty’s gold mine. Do you want to invest?