Atomic Systems

Hi

Just seen this on the BBC news website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nort ... 842048.stm.

It is about raising funds to finish off the restoration of The Flying Scotsman by 2010.

I have a spare £2.37 in my pocket and a spare tin of black paint if that can help. lol

If you do want to donate then goto the NRM link - http://www.nrm.org.uk/flyingscotsman/sos.asp

Dave

Now lets see, what's my pin number again in order to donate ?

7812 ?

7802 ?

6024 ?

1501 ?

7325 ?

3440 ?

2857 ?

4930 ?

Nope, can't remember. Ah well, Hey Ho !

£25 for a bolt

I've got 100's of `em in my shed, they can have fer nowt.

Do they need any nuts for the bolt or are the nuts already working on restoring the engine. lol - sorry I couldnt resist

So they've ran out of money restoring it.... and now appealing to the public

Don't see what's wrong with that.

Surely Gordon should be donating some of my money towards it rather than the idiots at Northern Rock?

Sorry to go off topic here but does anyone know what that small green loco is that's in the workshop with the Scotsman?

£250,000 is nothing in the art world.
Look at what the Tate spend on rubbish like cracks in the floor.

Reclassify the Scotsman as a work of art and watch the money fly in.

I'd say Yes.

I know many enthusiasts are sick to their back teeth of Flying Scotsman, but I think there are good reasons why she deserves to run again:

• 1. As one of Britain's best known steam locos, she gets publicity for the preservation movement and the NRM wherever she goes, and this can only be a good thing. And given the amount of media attention Tornado has recieved, a meeting of the two would surely make the headlines...
  2. Furthermore, with Blue Peter hopefully to be overhauled soon, Scotsman's return offers the prospect of seeing classes A1, A2, A3, and A4 in steam together for the first time in preservation.
  3. When the NRM purchased her in 2004 - with much financial help from ordinary members of the public, not just enthusiasts - they made a commitment to keep her running, and this has to be honoured.

Furthermore, though the NRM is having to spend a lot on her now, this is mainly because she was not properly looked after by the previous owners. At least we can have confidence that she will now be properly maintained, and hopefully this will mean less work at the next overhaul.

How can you 'just find' an extra £1/4 million worth of work? I hate to think how many other locos could be put back into traffic for that sum alone. I've never seen an overhaul of a working loco (not ex Barry wreck) cost so much. Either the NRM are being wasteful with their cash or taken for a ride by contractors.

In fairness to them, the prices of raw materials have been rising since they started the overhaul; doubtless this is partly to blame.

Also I don’t think its helping with this time of economic recession as well, certain companies are finding it difficult to trade and most small time companies that I would expect specialise in these sort of items or repairs my be either going out of business or having problems getting the materials they require, as its not the kind of item you can just go down your local scrap yard and pick up like you can a car well for most of the items required at least. I personally would hate to see the Flying Scotsman turned in to a static museum piece or worse, as I like many others I would presume have a lot of memories of trying to chase her around the country just trying to get a couple of picture of her. Flying Scotsman is one of the last remaining pieces of well know British Steam History that is slowly starting to fade away and soon most steam locos will go the same way. I admits that it has had a lot of publicity but I think it is a good thing as without it most people wouldn’t give steam a second thought as I know a lot of people that are not interested in trains and steam locos like my self that when they see things about the Flying Scotsman on Tele they can recognise her and know about her so I think she should be finished even if I am on my own in thinking that.

Alan

I would donate some money if the NRM would bring the loco near me GCR, Nene Valley Railway, Seven Valley So I can at least see where my money has gone and ride on it for a small price compared to what you would pay for a trip on the mainline

This is really hard for me.

As a confirmed GWR, or more relevantly, Western Region person, I can't be doing with the LNER/whatever region bias.

I can see that the misinformed public seem to regard this loco as iconic because they can't distinguish between the loco and the named train !

In reality, it's just another steam loco that needs work. Would the same reaction be forthcoming for 75069?

No way !

We keep lavishing money on this thing because it's mistakenly iconic and that's what makes it hard for me. If it brings on board a new generation then, good. But we should ensure that they are aware that there were other things going on as well.

Had to stop now before I go into rant mode !