The Flying Scotsman
Quote from: NedLudd (but unhappy about the final demise of BR).
Me too. I'm gutted, really gutted. I have many happy memories of BR from my own childhood. I still remember when Network SouthEast was formed and all the old slammers were repainted to the Red / White / Blue livery. Despite being the same trains they looked absolutely MINT! I loved them so much. Unfortunately they were never maintained brilliantly and by the time these new plastic things came in, with their 1/2 cm of sponge in each seat, I realised I missed the slammers even more than I ever thought I would. I think there is only one class 421 left in existence now. I know there is a class 411 in stagecoach colours (similar to NSE) but when I last saw that the rust was setting in
I got to go on it for a short ride last year being pulled by a diesel loco and it was wonderful.. the old comfy seats, the smell... ah it really did bring it back. I know BR were unpopular for the lack of cleanliness etc but they ran on 1/5 of todays railway subsidy. Yes.. a fifth! Hardly seems possible does it. If BR had been given the money it really needed back then instead of being crucified we'd have the worlds best publicly owned railway today which operates for the people not for profit (or loss).Here's one for you lot though, anyone noticed that the number of railway programmes on TV seems to be increasing a lot at the moment? - Every week there seems to be at least two or three railway programmes on now proving just how popular the railways still are.
Ah happy days eh. 
We all went on a steam pulled train from Leeming village to some place in the North Yorks moors (Redmire?) last year. All old BR coaches but with one small difference - a bar in each one!
Had a BBQ at the turnround and more booze and Wensleydale cheese on the return.
It's something we shall be doing each year now!
We all went on a steam pulled train from Leeming village to some place in the North Yorks moors (Redmire?) last year. All old BR coaches but with one small difference - a bar in each one!
Had a BBQ at the turnround and more booze and Wensleydale cheese on the return.
It's something we shall be doing each year now!
Indeed, they really were the days. I'm too young to remember steam but the local heritage line down the road from me uses steam and the odd class 101 diesel. Incredible machines the steam engines even though I prefer the old electric slam doors!
This really was the greatest bit of kit that British Rail ever had - the class 421:
Actually i'm not sure if that is a 421 or a 423 - one had a door between every seat and the other had less doors. I can never remember which was which but I miss them both!
The wonderful comfy inside with generously thick foam!:
And after over 40 years of loyal service without computer faults..:
And the really upsetting pictures:
This really was the greatest bit of kit that British Rail ever had - the class 421:
Actually i'm not sure if that is a 421 or a 423 - one had a door between every seat and the other had less doors. I can never remember which was which but I miss them both!
The wonderful comfy inside with generously thick foam!:
And after over 40 years of loyal service without computer faults..:
And the really upsetting pictures
:
I suppose I must be one of the only forum members who travelled from Euston to Scotland behind an LMS steam engine. First time was in 1935 but I don't remember much about it
Last time was in 1947 and I'll always remember the water troughs referred to in programme. Water spraying up onto train when scoop was down.
Was never really into LNER, LMS or SR as grew up with GWR and the mighty King Class locos - another Pacific 462 type
Last time was in 1947 and I'll always remember the water troughs referred to in programme. Water spraying up onto train when scoop was down.
Was never really into LNER, LMS or SR as grew up with GWR and the mighty King Class locos - another Pacific 462 type
Although I could be "mildly" accused of being a steam enthusiast.... the actual "experience" of travelling behind a steam locomotive is no real difference than behind a diesel or electric loco. If you put the old BR coaches behind one of these modern streamlined trains, you would not "experience" anything different.... ( apart from not having smoke clouds crossing the window, and lumps of coal being collected by your eyes and hair, when you shove your head out of the window.!).