Wednesday 6 June 2018

GOTCHA!.... THE FLYING SCOTSMAN



VIDEO ABOVE BY DEEJOHN FOR CHRYSALISM

(VIDEO SHOULD BE WORKING NOW. I FORGOT TO MAKE IT PUBLIC)
Tuesday lunchtime saw the departure of steam locomotive legend The Flying Scotsman
from Paddington Station on route to The Chiltern Hills, just one of many destinations
on it's 2018 tour schedule.
With just a small handful of well wishers and train fanatics gathered on Platform 9, it
was clear that all the hullabaloo surrounding this steam legend had clearly died down.
Last year I went on two wild goose chases to catch sight of the train only for the tour
company to change all the departure times due to the insatiable interest by the public.
There was even times when the train was halted and stopped on it's journeys when
crowds dangerously gathered on the actual rail tracks.

The Flying Scotsman was the first locomotive to reach a speed of 100 miles.
And yet it's hard to believe that this beast was actually shipped over to the U.S for
a grand tour in 1969 as well as a trip down to Australia to feature
as part of the country's Bi-Centennial celebrations in 1988.

Being that the front of the train was sheltered under a platform bridge, once it started
up and exhaled steam, the noise was absolutely deafening. But for some reason British
train fanatics have quite an emotional attachment for The Flying Scotsman. I also
noticed how decorative the carriages were inside, with all the dining tables all laid
out ready for the served lunches.

For more information on the train's 2018 schedule see below.

THE FLYING SCOTSMAN


THE NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM
( HOME OF THE FLYING SCOTSMAN )
 

While at Paddington Station I actually got so distracted by The Flying Scotsman that
I forgot to go and check out the new Great Western Railway Inter City Express trains,
the very new one's that will take us to Cornwall in September. Although I was
surprised to learn that they'll only reduce our journey to St Ives by about 15 minutes.
But they do appear to have better wi-fi facilities. But I did hear from somewhere
that their catering facilities might have been downgraded. And to think that when
we first visited Cornwall they always had a Chef on board and we were able to order
a full English breakfast.
There's an interesting online page all about the new trains which also features a video
where you'll even see Her Maj The Queen taking her first journey on the new
Express Train..... below

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAYS

2 comments:

  1. I remember when it came to Australia. It is a fine engine and thanks for showing us. I noticed some wheel slip at 1.24. Also, very odd to see a young person filming with a camera and not their phone.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Andrew, It was a thrill to finally get to see the train. And to think it made it's way all the way down under in your
    parts, even making it to Alice Springs.
    Yes, odd to see admirers that young. Red head was having to hold the camera with one hand because of the noise.
    Perhaps younger ones pick up the hobby through their Dads.
    Looking forward to seeing the new trains in September.

    ReplyDelete

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