http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2620530/Big-Boys-coming-Locomotives-Union-Pacific-Railroad-restored-former-glory.html See hear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR5dEc5VeNw
D'you know, Derek, I didn't have you down as a reader of the Daily Mail! Perhaps in the USA but here, we had the likes of Sir Nigel Gresley and Arthur Peppercorn... Whatever, what a size - fantastic beast!
Funny, I was looking at the Daily Mail photos and the vest worn by the Union Pacific manager caught my eye. I haven't seen on just like it, so I've just penned a letter to him c/o of the main office asking for the brand and where he found it! I'm rarely disappointed with letters like this. I'll probably hear that it was a gift from his wife or the like...
I don't read papers David, just an unlikely chance link from a website that I sometimes visit. Only really useful for lighting fires, and . . . well you can guess the other. We certainly did make some beautiful engines - and pretty efficient ones too - as did the French, though they went in for less streamlining, mostly covered in external plumbing! Though the engines that pulled the Fleche d'Or were pretty smart. I have a couple of 'Loco Profile' booklets, one on the Mallets, and one on the Hiawathas. Hows this for streamlining - and pre-Gresley A4 - These were oil fired 4-4-2's Atlantics as can be seen, though they followed on with 4-6-4 arrangements also. Designed to reach 100mph, they frequently ran three figure speeds in service, and 105 - 115, with 120 also achieved. These were designed at a parallel time to Gresley's A4 Pacifics, and like the A4's, they lost part of their streamlining over the driving wheels - when the Hiawathas went 4-6-4. They worked the 'Milwaukee Road' between Chicago & Minneapolis.
To be honest I prefer the looks of the less streamlined engines.... I was lucky to get the chance to drive this a few years back
Jammy sod! But I have to agree. The American streamlining does nothing for me, nor does the Coronation Scot. But Gresley's A4 was beautiful - more so with the wheels exposed as I always saw them. One that captures my liking is Ivaat's Class 2. There was on on the Aviemore to Boat of Garten for a while, didn't see it there last visit, maybe on shed. 'E. V. Cooper Engineer' was its name, though they are not listed as carrying names when built. My rendering of some early morning train assembly at Chinley for Sheffield. Incredible as it might sound, I started that in the early seventies, and got to finish it about five years ago!
Ta. It's a scraper board. Indian Ink on a white cardboard backing. With a nib like stylus the black ink is scraped away to reveal the white surface of the cardboard. Drawn freehand from a photograph taken with flash around 06.00hrs and incorporated in The Railway Magazine March '67. Still got it : -
I couldnt help it. I loved this train-metheny-melody since I heard and saw it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmJdCpEPIWs Claus C
The backdrop, exhaust beat and whistle are the only music in this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBfW5beY7-s&NR=1
The start of this thread talked about 'Big Boy'. It was certainly an impressive engine - but it was also very ugly in my eyes. In my youth I saw this engine and others in its class eating up the track on the London to Edinburgh route. Magnificent.
Absolutely Trevor. Gresley's A4's were beautiful, though I never saw them in service with the full streamlining, only the abbreviated where the wheels and motion were exposed - stunning even still, and a magnet for me after school to race up to Wood Green Station to watch what would be at the head of the 'Elizabethan' which would have left Kings Cross on its way to Edinburgh, departing the same time we were let out of school. A dash home to rid the uniform, then on the bike and pedal! We'd usually get there about five minutes before she was due to go through, and the plume of steam and smoke would be seen a mile away along the straight from Hornsey, rushing through the Station with a blast of the fluted whistle, shaking the platforms, con-rods flashing in a cacophony of sound - then gone, leaving an almost deathly hush until a clanging of the telegraph bell announced the next event - points clanging - signals dropping - and an N2 tank with suburban slam door stock heaved itself sighing into platform 1. I got the chance of going on Mallard's footplate when in steam at Noel Park once. There was an exhibition of everything railway, got a ride in an open truck lifted by steam crane too! All gone now of course. Housing and gardens now where rails and trains once ran.
Derek, here is a photo of No.4464 Bittern at Tiverton Parkway in August 2012. As you can see, she is in full streamlined condition, complete with valances. At the moment, she is still in this condition, and main line servicable. If you wish to see her, you can find details of main line running at uk steam info. Just search for it on the net. Good hunting.
Something that may of be of interest to you "over there" http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/11207150.Treat_for_trainspotters_in_Hereford_this_weekend/?ref=ar
Thanks John & Al, Musn't forget the West Country Class by Bulleid, they were another very smart Engine. Typhoon recalls much : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut27rSwkV2k
Derek that is a good link to Tornado going through the station at Durham. As a coincidence it is my local station! Does anyone recognise this guy in the cab of Tornado?
Tornado trial run Here is a video I took of Tornado whilst it was on its trials at Quorn, talking to the lads they said it was the first time they had opened her up a bit. It was still in grey primer and brand new!!!
