Flying Scotsman future

[DarloRich]

FS has been on display at Shildon since xmas and with the support contract with Ian Riley running out questions have been asked about the future. Today NRM issued a press release:

NRM Announces Flying Scotsman Plans for 2024 | National Railway Museum

Flying Scotsman to visit National Railway Museum from 26 January.

www.railwaymuseum.org.uk

NRM:
After travelling 10,000 miles across the UK as part of its centenary celebrations, world famous locomotive Flying Scotsman will spend the first part of 2024 on static display at the National Railway Museum in York before resuming rail tours later in the year.

From Friday 26 January until the summer, the locomotive will be displayed in the Flying Scotsman Story exhibition at the National Railway Museum. Visitors will be able to see the locomotive for free and access the footplate via an accessible ramp.

Flying Scotsman will then travel to Locomotion in Shildon where it will go on public display.

A competitive tender to appoint the next custodian for Flying Scotsman to operate and maintain the locomotive will launch with an Invitation to Tender (ITT) published online in the coming weeks. The tender is expected to be awarded in late spring 2024.

Once the custodian is appointed, Flying Scotsman will resume a programme of rail tours in the autumn. It is expected that the locomotive will visit heritage railways and will remain main line operational.

 

[Spartacus]

FS has been on display at Shildon since xmas and with the support contract with Ian Riley running out questions have been asked about the future. Today NRM issued a press release:

NRM Announces Flying Scotsman Plans for 2024 | National Railway Museum

Flying Scotsman to visit National Railway Museum from 26 January.

www.railwaymuseum.org.uk

I expect that'll be D200 disappearing for a while.

 

[Lost property]

Out of interest, with the FS having the same iconic status as the Lanc / Spitfire / Hurricane ( the Lanc in particular) would it be reasonable to assume the FS will be kept operational....at all costs, this being the important bit, or, will it simply be gracefully retired ?

 

[Viper]

I expect that'll be D200 disappearing for a while.

Why would it disappear?

Out of interest, with the FS having the same iconic status as the Lanc / Spitfire / Hurricane ( the Lanc in particular) would it be reasonable to assume the FS will be kept operational....at all costs, this being the important bit, or, will it simply be gracefully retired ?

I'm not sure that logic would be automatically transferred. There are other iconic locomotives which have not been kept in running order so I don't see why FS would be any different to those.

 

[Bertie the bus]

I'm not sure that logic would be automatically transferred. There are other iconic locomotives which have not been kept in running order so I don't see why FS would be any different to those.

Because, other than Thomas, it is probably the only loco the vast majority of people could name. If nearly 40,000 went to Shildon over Christmas to see it in light steam that proves just how popular FS is with the general public despite the fact quite a lot of enthusiasts dislike that for some reason.

 

[Spartacus]

Why would it disappear?

It's currently occupying the loco space in the Flying Scotsman exhibit (or was the other week anyway) with no space in the Great Hall, which is currently the only area open.

 

[Viper]

Because, other than Thomas, it is probably the only loco the vast majority of people could name. If nearly 40,000 went to Shildon over Christmas to see it in light steam that proves just how popular FS is with the general public despite the fact quite a lot of enthusiasts dislike that for some reason.

You would have thought that Mallard would have been kept operational for similar reasons. I wonder if FS is more infamous due to the regular controversy around it's ownership and cost of refurbishment?

It's currently occupying the loco space in the Flying Scotsman exhibit (or was the other week anyway) with no space in the Great Hall, which is currently the only area open.

Understood, I got confused and thought you were referring to the loco that's currently on the turntable.

 

[Railway ben]

It's currently occupying the loco space in the Flying Scotsman exhibit (or was the other week anyway) with no space in the Great Hall, which is currently the only area open.

It's currently occupying the loco space in the Flying Scotsman exhibit (or was the other week anyway) with no space in the Great Hall, which is currently the only area open.

I imagine the 55 would go outside like it did back in April last year. Anyway Scotsman is in the yard at the NRM as of now 19.1.24

 

[Geordiepedal]

Because, other than Thomas, it is probably the only loco the vast majority of people could name. If nearly 40,000 went to Shildon over Christmas to see it in light steam that proves just how popular FS is with the general public despite the fact quite a lot of enthusiasts dislike that for some reason.

Ever heard of Mallard? Arguably more famous than FS.

 

[Darandio]

Ever heard of Mallard? Arguably more famous than FS.

If you asked a room full of random (non-enthusiast) people to name a famous steam locomotive I bet far more would suggest either Flying Scotsman (or Thomas even) over Mallard. I'd be equally confident if you asked another room which steam locomotive holds the speed record they'd also automatically shout out FS.

 

[D9006]

Ever heard of Mallard? Arguably more famous than FS.

Just asked Google and wilkipeda and both say Flying Scotsman is the most famous steam engine in the world

 

[MP33]

Is one thing that will force the Flying Scotsman into retirement, the actions of some when it is operating. Again a moronic minority will spoil it for everyone.

 

[xotGD]

Is one thing that will force the Flying Scotsman into retirement, the actions of some when it is operating. Again a moronic minority will spoil it for everyone.

Run it with a false name and number of another A3 and people won't bother turning out for it.

 

[Enthusiast]

Run it with a false name and number of another A3 and people won't bother turning out for it.

I bet they do. Soshul Meeja will be full of messages such as "Don't be fooled! The engine No 60061 calling itself Pretty Polly is really the "Flying Scotsman!"

 

[Townsend Hook]

I expect that'll be D200 disappearing for a while.

When I passed by yesterday D200 was outside, with 84001 and 47798.

 

[james_the_xv]

NRM posted on Social Media today that the Scotsman has been taken off public display 'due to the process of finding a new custodian'.

Anyone have any insight as to who or why? One would imagine inspections need to take place if a new custodian takes her on.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The new custodian has been announced: An unknown company called Northern Steam.

It appears to have been set up as Northern Steam Engineering in 2017, and in April this year a subsidiary called Northern Steam Operations was registered.

Northern Steam Operations Limited announced as new Flying Scotsman custodian | National Railway Museum

Northern Steam Operations Limited announced as new Flying Scotsman custodian.

www.railwaymuseum.org.uk

After a nationwide search involving a showcase of UK engineering expertise, the new custodian to maintain and operate world famous locomotive Flying Scotsman has been appointed.

Northern Steam Operations Limited, run by Northern Steam Engineering Limited based in Stockton-on-Tees, has been selected as the new custodian of steam locomotive Flying Scotsman.

The contract will run until January 2032 and includes responsibility for maintenance and day to day operations, as well as provision for a future mechanical overhaul to enable the locomotive to continue operating on the main line rail network.

The successful bid from Northern Steam committed to frequent, shorter trips to enable more people to access Flying Scotsman without increasing the number of running days.

Northern Steam has a dedicated engineering team in Stockton-on-Tees with experience of maintaining and overhauling steam locomotives and an established engineering base.

 

[Spartacus]

Looks like the highly experienced Stuart Whitter at the helm.

Some background info:

NORTHERN STEAM OPERATIONS LIMITED people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK

NORTHERN STEAM OPERATIONS LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity

find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk

Railway Memories Through The Years

Railway memories of Stuart Whitter Chairman of Northern Steam Engineering Limited covering over 40 years in the railway industry from Deltics to Eurostars

www.railwayblogger.com

 

[DarloRich]

thanks - i had missed that news. Interesting developments.

Website here: https://northernsteamengineering.co.uk/home

At Northern Steam Engineering, we have a dedicated team that are passionate about engineering. From our base in Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, we supply mechanical engineering, machining and fabrication services to several industry sectors, from one off components to batch production, alongside our heritage steam engineering operations and mechanical engineering services. Whether you require a steam boiler designing and building from scratch, a bespoke fabrication, or complex machined components, our highly skilled and experienced workforce will deliver unmatched quality and engineering services to meet your needs.

( Pendant point: Stockton is not in Middlesbrough!)

 

[bleeder4]

thanks - i had missed that news. Interesting developments.

Website here: https://northernsteamengineering.co.uk/home



( Pendant point: Stockton is not in Middlesbrough!)

Not to be pedantic or anything, but do you mean "pedant point"

 

[DarloRich]

Not to be pedantic or anything, but do you mean "pedant point"

yes - although it was a poor attempt at humour!