Trains.com

Flying Scotsman North American Tour 1969 and Australia 1988

1755 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canada, eh!
  • 737 posts
Flying Scotsman North American Tour 1969 and Australia 1988
Posted by Isambard on Thursday, March 15, 2007 11:01 AM

In 1969 LNER Locomotive 4472 (BR 60103) toured North America, for which it was fitted with a pilot, headlight, bell, air brakes and buckeye couplings.

Were any changes to the wheels/axles required for this tour, given that UK and North American standard track gauge is 4 ft 8 1/2 inches?

How about modifications for the 1988 visit to Australia? 

Isambard

Grizzly Northern history, Tales from the Grizzly and news on line at  isambard5935.blogspot.com 

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,474 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Thursday, March 15, 2007 8:21 PM
No changes for the US tour. Don't know about Australia.
  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Sydney Australia
  • 80 posts
Posted by gregrudd on Friday, March 16, 2007 6:12 AM
In Australia it was fitted with a headlight and an air compressor for use with local rolling stock.  
Let me reiterate, what I was saying to you previously -Rex Mossop
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by M636C on Saturday, March 17, 2007 9:00 PM

 gregrudd wrote:
In Australia it was fitted with a headlight and an air compressor for use with local rolling stock.  

Flying Scotsman kept the British drop knuckle on the tender and this was about 75mm higher than the Australian couplers which were always the same as US height. This didn't seem to affect its use, although there was usually a car with buffers leading the train to allow use of the screw coupler on the drawhook revealed when you dropped the UK coupler (it folded down through 90 degrees).

The locomotive was generally lower in overall height than Australian locomotives and cars.

It did double head with another British locomotive, "Pendennis Castle" in Western Australia.

M636C

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: West Australia
  • 2,217 posts
Posted by John Busby on Sunday, March 18, 2007 9:10 AM

Hi

The Flying Scotsman was not fitted with a compressor as such it was towed in a wagon that ran behind the locomotive

This also had a conversion valve of some sort so that when the loco applied the brakes the train brake also was applied the wagon carrying the compressor which looked like one of those trailer types you see on big building sites, if I remember correctly the wagon also had large bags of Newcastle coal as well followed by the tool van then the rest of the train of NSWGR coaches.

Yes Pendennis castle did double head with the Scotsman both of them did runs from my town as individuals as well both where fitted with headlights as per the then WAGR regulations

Both had to take water gins with them due to the lack of watering points.

Useless fact The Flying Scotsman is the name of the train, it is the only train I know of that the train and locomotive have the same name in fact the locomotive that pulls the train today is also named The Flying Scotsman as was the loco before 4472 

regards John 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: U K
  • 146 posts
Posted by mhurley87f on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 9:05 AM
 John Busby wrote:

 

Useless fact The Flying Scotsman is the name of the train, it is the only train I know of that the train and locomotive have the same name in fact the locomotive that pulls the train today is also named The Flying Scotsman as was the loco before 4472 

regards John 

I think you'll find the name of the locomotive is "Flying Scotsman," and the express service "The Flying Scotsman."

The UK's competing West Coast Route likewise had a locomotive named "Royal Scot" after the 1st Regiment of Foot, and UK's oldest Infantry Regiment, and a crack London Euston - Glasgow Central express named "The Royal Scot."

Martin 

 

SUBSCRIBER & MEMBER LOGIN

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

FREE NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter