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BBC4 Slow Event (The Flying Scotsman)


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Old 02-01-2017, 19:28
Ess_Bee
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The token basically allows only one train on a single line at any time. No token, no go. Even on double track sections only one train is allowed in a particular section, the following train can't move until the section in front is clear. That's why everything grinds to a halt when the signals go down.
Were there ever or are there any female drivers or firemen? It looks pretty hefty work but that's not to say a woman couldn't do it.
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Old 02-01-2017, 23:49
mike65
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"That would break Mallard's record.."
Someone needs to stump up and get the Mallard running again - sat in the National Railway Museum in York hardly seems right.
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Old 03-01-2017, 00:27
Sarahsaurus
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Someone needs to stump up and get the Mallard running again - sat in the National Railway Museum in York hardly seems right.

The National Railway Museum, York. The next day. 10.30am:

"Well?"
"I'm sorry. I don't know how that happened."
"You don't know? Flying Scotsman went at 106 miles an hour, and you don't know how it happened? That engine's nearly a hundred years old. I trust this won't happen again."
"Well, hopefully not. At least it gave up at 106 miles an hour. No A3's ever gone faster than 108 miles an hour. But you know it doesn't like trundling along at 25 miles an hour. I think it just got a bit fed up with it. It just let loose."
"You know Mallard's heard about this."
"What? How?"
"God knows. Who knows how they communicate with each other. But Mallard knows all about it."
"And? Is that a problem?"
"it wants out. On the track. It's fed up sitting there all polished up doing nothing. I knew getting Flying Scotsman going again would cause trouble.."
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Old 03-01-2017, 00:45
Paace
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What a delightful hour of viewing. Interesting to see that the role of the fireman involves rather more than just shovling coal. The line speed was limited to 25mph. It struck me that in the days when the engine steamed along in its heyday hour after hour at 100mph the fireman's job must have been a hard one keeping that firebox fueled and the steam pressures just right. Amazing.
I enjoyed it also, just a little disappointed we could not see at it's full potential .

My goodness at 100mph the driver and fireman had to be very alert in spotting the signals .
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Old 03-01-2017, 02:23
Ulsterguy
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Were there ever or are there any female drivers or firemen? It looks pretty hefty work but that's not to say a woman couldn't do it.
In steams day, no. Women drivers started to emerge though in the 80's. I believe there are female steam crews on preserved railways.
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Old 03-01-2017, 02:27
Ulsterguy
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I enjoyed it also, just a little disappointed we could not see at it's full potential .

My goodness at 100mph the driver and fireman had to be very alert in spotting the signals .
Unlike road drivers, a train driver has to have 'road knowledge' of the route before being allowed to drive on it. It's normally knowing where signals and level crossings are, where the inclines and descents are and obviously stations are
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Old 03-01-2017, 06:37
Sexbomb
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Wonder what the next one will be, if there is anymore this year.
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Old 03-01-2017, 17:09
Ess_Bee
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In steams day, no. Women drivers started to emerge though in the 80's. I believe there are female steam crews on preserved railways.
It'd take a hefty gal to shovel all that coal. I certainly couldn't do it. Driver's job looks less onerous!

What would happen if the fireman missed taking and handing back the tokens? They're going at 10 mph so it could happen easily. Also, what are the wing-like protruberances either side of the main engine. You don't see them on old photos of the FS.
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Old 03-01-2017, 17:41
lundavra
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It'd take a hefty gal to shovel all that coal. I certainly couldn't do it. Driver's job looks less onerous!

What would happen if the fireman missed taking and handing back the tokens? They're going at 10 mph so it could happen easily. Also, what are the wing-like protruberances either side of the main engine. You don't see them on old photos of the FS.
I would think if they faily exchange tokens then they have to stop and walk back.

The "wing-like protruberances" seem visible on lots of images, I suspect that it has had various different tooks over its long life.
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Old 03-01-2017, 17:46
JERRY HIPKISS
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It'd take a hefty gal to shovel all that coal. I certainly couldn't do it. Driver's job looks less onerous!

What would happen if the fireman missed taking and handing back the tokens? They're going at 10 mph so it could happen easily.
Yes, they would have to stop and I expect it was a matter of pride so there would be some embarrassment as well...BTW the driver had a lot more to do, oiling round and checking the engine etc and would have worked through the ranks so would have done his time as a fireman!

PS just found some tales here! http://forum.signalbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6884

Last edited by JERRY HIPKISS : 03-01-2017 at 17:48. Reason: Added link
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Old 03-01-2017, 17:53
Ulsterguy
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I would think if they faily exchange tokens then they have to stop and walk back.

The "wing-like protruberances" seem visible on lots of images, I suspect that it has had various different tooks over its long life.
Brakes on and ribbing all round! The wings at the front are smoke deflectors, they're supposed to induce an air flow which lifts the exhaust clear of the drivers view.
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Old 03-01-2017, 17:56
Ulsterguy
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Yes, they would have to stop and I expect it was a matter of pride so there would be some embarrassment as well...BTW the driver had a lot more to do, oiling round and checking the engine etc and would have worked through the ranks so would have done his time as a fireman!

PS just found some tales here! http://forum.signalbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6884
Back in the day, a driver started as an engine cleaner, progressing to fireman, then driver. They started on local workings, then onto expresses. So a crew on the major expresses were always senior in rank.
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Old 03-01-2017, 18:03
Sarahsaurus
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It'd take a hefty gal to shovel all that coal. I certainly couldn't do it. Driver's job looks less onerous!

What would happen if the fireman missed taking and handing back the tokens? They're going at 10 mph so it could happen easily. Also, what are the wing-like protruberances either side of the main engine. You don't see them on old photos of the FS.
The wing-like things either side of the main engine are like blinkers on a horse to keep Flying Scotsman looking straight ahead so its mind doesn't wander looking at the scenery.

OK, not really. Actually they're smoke deflectors that make it easier for the driver to see straight ahead. With the double chimney modification in 1959 the engine produced more smoke. The smoke deflectors were fitted in 1961. Some people don't like them, they say it spoils the look of the engine. I don't mind them.

There are pages and pages of debate among steam enthusiasts on the internet about these sort of things. What livery should Flying Scotsman be painted in, what number, should it have the smoke deflectors, etc. Some people take all this stuff very seriously.

I'm not one of them. I just like choo choos.
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Old Yesterday, 14:17
Ess_Bee
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Thanks for info. on the tokens and the smoke deflectors. I personally think the 'wings' do detract from the appearance of the engine but can see why they're needed. I'd just like a ride on the choo choo!
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Old Yesterday, 17:07
Sarahsaurus
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Thanks for info. on the tokens and the smoke deflectors. I personally think the 'wings' do detract from the appearance of the engine but can see why they're needed. I'd just like a ride on the choo choo!
Interestingly Flying Scotsman appears in the Thomas The Tank Engine film The Great Race, complete with the smoke deflectors. But he's in LNER apple green livery, pre nationalisation. He only had the deflectors fitted in 1961, when he'd have been painted BR dark green. So that's not right. He shouldn't have the deflectors if he's in apple green livery.

Flying Scotsman is also Gordon's brother, apparently.

Choo choo!
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