Flying Scotsman

Flying Scotsman in 2003. Despite the LNER livery, the prominent German-style smoke deflectors and double chimney are BR-era features.
Power type	Steam
Designer	Sir Nigel Gresley
Builder	Doncaster railway works
Build date	1923
Configuration	4-6-2
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)
Driver size	80 inches (2.03 m) diameter
Length	70 feet (21.6 m)
Height	13 feet (4.0 m)
Total weight	350,000 lb (159,000 kg)
Cylinders	3
Top speed	110 mph (177 km/h)
Tractive effort	29,385 lbf (13,329 kgf, 130.7 kN)
Career	London and North Eastern Railway
Class	A3
Number	1472, renum 4472, renum 60103
Official name	Flying Scotsman
Retired	1963
Restored	1968
Current owner	National Railway Museum

This article is about the locomotive the "Flying Scotsman". For the passenger service, see Flying Scotsman (train).

The LNER Class A3 Pacific locomotive number 4472 "Flying Scotsman" (originally no. 1472) was built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Doncaster Works to a design of Sir Nigel Gresley. The locomotive was later renumbered to 103, then 60103 by British Railways following nationalisation. It was employed on express trains on the East Coast Main Line from London King's Cross to Doncaster, Leeds, York, Newcastle-upon-Tyne or Edinburgh. It was commonly employed on the Flying Scotsman service, its namesake, from London to Edinburgh. In its career, the Flying Scotsman has travelled 2,000,000 miles (3,200,000 km). ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1280x960, 586 KB) Summary photo of the Flying Scotsman taken at the Doncaster Works Open day 2003, the 150th anniversary of the Plant works. ... BR standard class 7 Smoke deflectors are plates attached to the front of a steam locomotive designed to lift smoke away from the locomotive so that the driver has better visibility unimpaired by drifting smoke. ... Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley (19 June 1876 – 5 April 1941) was one of Britains most famous Steam locomotive engineers who worked for the Great Northern Railway company from 1911 to 1922 as locomotive superintendent and for the London and North Eastern Railway company (LNER) from 1923 to 1941... Doncaster railway works was in the town of Doncaster in the county of Yorkshire in England. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A selection of early 20th century locomotive types according to their Whyte notation and their comparative size The Whyte notation for classifying steam locomotives by wheel arrangement was devised by Frederick Methvan Whyte and came into use in the early 20th century. ... The Pennsylvania Railroads class K4s, a well known 4-6-2 type. ... The dominant rail gauge in each country shown Rail gauge is the distance between the inner sides of the two parallel rails that make up a railway track. ... On a steam locomotive, a driving wheel is a powered wheel which is driven by the locomotives pistons (or turbine, in the case of a steam turbine locomotive). ... Cylinder with piston in a steam engine A cylinder in the central working part of a reciprocating engine, the space in which a piston travels. ... Tractive Effort (abbr. ... The pound-force is a non-SI unit of force or weight (properly abbreviated lbf or lbf). The pound-force is equal to a mass of one pound multiplied by the standard acceleration due to gravity on Earth (which is defined as exactly 9. ... KGF is the short form of Kolar Gold Fields in Karnataka. ... The kilonewton, symbol kN, is an SI unit of force. ... LNER timetable for Autumn 1926 detailing the resumption of services after the General Strike. ... Class (locomotive) refers to a group of locomotives built to a common design for a single railroad. ... LNER A1/A3 4-6-2 Pacific Steam Locomotive Famous Names Flying Scottsman Specifications Length Overall 70ft5in (2,146mm) Driving Wheels 80in (2032mm) Total Weight 332,000lb (61t) Fuel 1,800lb (8t) Water 5,000gal Adhesive Weight 34,500lb (61t) Cylinders 3x20x26in (508x660mm) Tractive Effort 29,385lb (13,333kg) Axel... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Locomotives arranged around the turntable in the Great Hall. ... British Railways Poster celebrating the centenary of the Flying Scotsman. ... The London and North Eastern Railway or LNER was the second-largest of the Big Four railway companies created by the Railways Act 1921 in Britain. ... LNER A1/A3 4-6-2 Pacific Steam Locomotive Famous Names Flying Scottsman Specifications Length Overall 70ft5in (2,146mm) Driving Wheels 80in (2032mm) Total Weight 332,000lb (61t) Fuel 1,800lb (8t) Water 5,000gal Adhesive Weight 34,500lb (61t) Cylinders 3x20x26in (508x660mm) Tractive Effort 29,385lb (13,333kg) Axel... The Pennsylvania Railroads class K4s, a well known 4-6-2 type. ... One of the last mainline steam locomotives built in the UK: British Railways Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 no. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... LNER timetable for Autumn 1926 detailing the resumption of services after the General Strike. ... Doncaster railway works was in the town of Doncaster in the county of Yorkshire in England. ... Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley (19 June 1876 – 5 April 1941) was one of Britains most famous Steam locomotive engineers who worked for the Great Northern Railway company from 1911 to 1922 as locomotive superintendent and for the London and North Eastern Railway company (LNER) from 1923 to 1941... This article is about the defunct entity British Railways, which later traded as British Rail. The History of rail transport in Great Britain is covered in its own article. ... The East Coast Main Line viaduct at Durham. ... This GNER train serving Kings Cross is named White Rose after the traditional symbol of Yorkshire. ... For other places with the same name, see Doncaster (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Leeds (disambiguation). ... York shown within England Coordinates: , Sovereign state Constituent country Region Yorkshire and the Humber Ceremonial county North Yorkshire Admin HQ York City Centre Founded 71 City Status 71 Government  - Type Unitary Authority, City  - Governing body City of York Council  - Leadership: Leader & Executive  - Executive: Liberal Democrat  - MPs: Hugh Bayley (L) John... , Newcastle upon Tyne (usually shortened to Newcastle) is a large city in Tyne and Wear, England. ... For other uses, see Edinburgh (disambiguation). ... British Railways Poster celebrating the centenary of the Flying Scotsman. ...

During its period of British main line service the Flying Scotsman could travel the 633 kilometres from London to Edinburgh in 8 hours non-stop, with water replenishment using the water trough system. For this train, it was fitted with a large eight-wheel tender which included a corridor connection to allow the crew to change over. This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see Edinburgh (disambiguation). ... A track pan (US English) or water trough (Commonwealth English) is a long trough filled with water, lying along a stretch of railroad track between the rails. ...

History

The locomotive was completed in 1923, construction having been started under the auspices of the Great Northern Railway. It was built as an A1, but later (January 1947) rebuilt as an A3. It initially carried the number 1472. The Great Northern Railway (GNR) was a British railway company, founded by the London & York Railway Act of 1846. ... The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Class A1/A3 is a class of 4-6-2 steam locomotives, designed by Nigel Gresley. ...

Flying Scotsman was something of a flagship locomotive for the LNER. It represented the company at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1924 and 1925. At this time it acquired its name and the new number of 4472. From then on it was commonly used for promotional purposes. Wembley, until 1965 a borough in its own right, forms the northern part of the London Borough of Brent. ...

This locomotive was the first of its class to haul the prestigious Flying Scotsman train, on its first non-stop service from London to Edinburgh on 01 May 1928. The following year, it appeared in the film The Flying Scotsman. British Railways Poster celebrating the centenary of the Flying Scotsman. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see Edinburgh (disambiguation). ... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

With modified valve gear, on November 30, 1934 it became the first steam locomotive to be officially recorded at 100 miles per hour and earned a place in the Land speed record for railed vehicles; the publicity-conscious LNER made much of the fact. The Walschaert valve gear on a steam locomotive (a PRR E6s). ... is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... JR-Maglev MLX01 at Yamanashi. ...

Following the Second World War it became 103 in Edward Thompson's comprehensive renumbering scheme, and on the nationalisation of the railways in 1948 acquired the number 60103. In the early 1950s under British Railways ownership it was allocated to Leicester Central shed on the Great Central, running Nottingham Victoria to London Marylebone services via Leicester Central and hauled one of the last services on the line before its closure^{[citation needed]}. It was one of a number of A3 Pacifics fitted with a double KYLCHAP chimney to improve performance and economy. This caused soft exhaust and smoke drift that tended to obscure the driver's forward vision; the remedy found was in the German-type smoke deflectors fitted from 1960, which somewhat changed the locomotive's appearance but successfully solved the problem.^[1] Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... Edward Thompson could refer to several people: Edward Thompson (engineer), Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway in the United Kingdom 1941–1946 Edward Thompson (author) Edward Thompson (actor), film work 1937–1941. ... British Railways (BR), later rebranded as British Rail, ran the British railway system, from the nationalisation of the Big Four British railway companies in 1948 until its privatisation in stages between 1994 and 1997. ... The Kylchap steam locomotive exhaust system was designed and patented by the famous French steam engineer André Chapelon, using a second-stage nozzle designed by the Finnish engineer Kylälä and known as the Kylälä spreader; thus the name KylChap for this design. ... BR standard class 7 Smoke deflectors are plates attached to the front of a steam locomotive designed to lift smoke away from the locomotive so that the driver has better visibility unimpaired by drifting smoke. ...

Preservation

It ended service with British Railways in 1963 and was sold for preservation to Alan Pegler. It was restored as closely as possible to its original LNER condition and worked a number of railtours, including a non-stop London-Edinburgh run in 1968 - the year steam traction officially ended on BR. During this time, it was fitted with a second tender to increase its water capacity, a move that divided enthusiasts. This article is about the defunct entity British Railways, which later traded as British Rail. The History of rail transport in Great Britain is covered in its own article. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Alan Pegler at the Doncaster Works 150th anniversary event in 2003. ... A British tender locomotive Fuel tender from one of Union Pacifics turbines. ...

In 1969 it went on a promotional tour to the USA, where it was fitted with cowcatcher, high-intensity headlamp, bell, air brakes and buckeye couplings. The trip was initially a success, but when Pegler's backers withdrew their support, he began to lose money and was finally bankrupted in 1972. Fears then arose for the engine's future, the speculation being that it could take up permanent residence in America or even be cut up. Fortunately in January 1973 William McAlpine stepped in at the eleventh hour and had the locomotive repaired and repatriated.

In 1988 the locomotive travelled to Australia to take part in that country's bicentenary celebrations. There it set another record, travelling 442 miles from Parkes to Broken Hill non-stop, the longest such run by a steam locomotive ever recorded. Parkes is a town with a population of approximately 10,500 (as of 2004) located in New South Wales, Australia. ... Broken Hill is an isolated mining city and Local Government Area in the far west of outback New South Wales, Australia, with a population of 21,000. ...

In recent years Flying Scotsman has continued to have an eventful existence. In 1995 it was in pieces at Southall depot in West London and facing an uncertain future owing to the cost of restoration and refurbishment necessary to meet the stringent engineering standards required for main line operation. Salvation came in 1996, when Dr Tony Marchington bought the locomotive and then restored it to running condition at a cost of some £750,000. Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... It has been suggested that Southalls South Asian community be merged into this article or section. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ...

In 2004 Flying Scotsman was put up for sale because of the mounting debts of its owning company. After a high-profile campaign, it was bought in April by the National Railway Museum in York and is now part of the national collection. Unfortunately it broke down before reaching York and had to be recovered by a Class 37 on loan from West Coast Railways. As of 2006, Flying Scotsman is undergoing a major 18-month overhaul at the NRM and is not due to resume running until late 2009. The bay in which the locomotive is being refurbished is on view to visitors to the NRM but currently the engine has been dismantled to such an extent that the footplate is its only recognisable component to the casual observer. Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Locomotives arranged around the turntable in the Great Hall. ... York shown within England Coordinates: , Sovereign state Constituent country Region Yorkshire and the Humber Ceremonial county North Yorkshire Admin HQ York City Centre Founded 71 City Status 71 Government  - Type Unitary Authority, City  - Governing body City of York Council  - Leadership: Leader & Executive  - Executive: Liberal Democrat  - MPs: Hugh Bayley (L) John... D6712 at Liverpool Street, 1963 in BR green with yellow warning panels. ... Class 57/6, no. ... 2009 (MMIX) will be a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Controversy

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Accuracy of livery can be a controversial subject amongst those involved in the preservation of historic rolling stock, and Flying Scotsman has attracted more than its fair share of controversy. Until its current overhaul it was running in an 'inaccurate' hybrid form, carrying 1930s LNER 'Apple Green' livery, but retaining the double chimney and smoke deflectors that were not fitted until the 1960s. Opinion is divided as to whether this is acceptable – some say that, to be authentic, only BR livery should be used when the loco is carrying these later additions; others claim the loco should be returned to its more famous LNER colour scheme, regardless. Image File history File links Emblem-important. ...

The NRM's possession of the locomotive has attracted some controversy in British railway preservation due to the heavy emphasis which the NRM is placing upon it, which cost the museum £2,200,000. The museum recently rejected a request for the oldest operational mainline diesel locomotive in the UK to be allowed out of the museum for its 50th birthday (it was the first locomotive to be built under the Modernisation Plan), owing to a shortage of staff. The investment involved is seen by some as denying many other historically important exhibits the opportunity to be properly exhibited and overhauled. Only one other locomotive has benefitted - Stirling "Single" No. 1, Flying Scotsman's East Coast ancestor, which occupies Flying Scotsman's special exhibition room when "Scotsman" is away. Preserved No 1 The Great Northern Railway (GNR) G class Stirling Single is a class of steam locomotive designed for express passenger work. ...

In popular culture

Because of the LNER's emphasis in publicity upon the locomotive, and then its eventful preservation history, including two international forays, it is arguably one of the most famous locomotives in the world today, and no doubt the most famous in the UK.

Flying Scotsman has been featured in The Railway Series of children's books by the Rev. W. Awdry. The locomotive visited the fictional Island of Sodor in the book Enterprising Engines. At this time, Flying Scotsman had two tenders, and this was a key feature of the plot of one of the stories. Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: The Railway Series The Railway Series is a set of story books about a fictional railway system located on the fictional Island of Sodor and the engines that lived on it. ... Wilbert Vere Awdry, OBE, (June 15, 1911 – March 21, 1997), better known as the Reverend W. Awdry, was a clergyman, railway enthusiast and childrens author. ... Sodor and Man is a diocese of the Church of England. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

The Flying Scotsman is featured in the PC game Microsoft Train Simulator. The locomotive is also included in the 2006 edition of Trainz Railroad Simulator. Microsoft Train Simulator (known in the Train Simulator community also as simply MSTS 1) is a train simulator for Microsoft Windows, released in July 2001 and developed by UK based Kuju Entertainment. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles. ...

Gallery

Side-on view.

60103 Flying Scotsman painted in the darker BR green livery it wore when withdrawn in 1963.

"Flying Scotsman" at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire UK. Oct. 2005

Many more images of the Flying Scotsman can be viewed at the official National Railway Museum print website Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2470x737, 434 KB) The Flying Scotsman A3 Pacifc locomotive number 4472. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2470x737, 434 KB) The Flying Scotsman A3 Pacifc locomotive number 4472. ... Image File history File links Flying_Scostman,_BR_livery. ... Image File history File links Flying_Scostman,_BR_livery. ... This article is about the defunct entity British Railways, which later traded as British Rail. The History of rail transport in Great Britain is covered in its own article. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 599 KB) 4472 Flying Scotsman at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, UK. October 2005 - Photo Michael J. Irlam I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 599 KB) 4472 Flying Scotsman at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, UK. October 2005 - Photo Michael J. Irlam I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ...

External Links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman

• National Railway Museum's section about the Flying Scotsman train and locomotive
• The official National Railway Museum print website containing many Flying Scotsman prints and posters
• Photo: from Gresley Society
• BBC "Nation on Film" article with historic films of the Flying Scotsman in steam.
• The LNER Encyclopedia page for the Gresley A1/A3s including Flying Scotsman
• History of the Flying Scotsman by Southern Steam Trains

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... British Railways Poster celebrating the centenary of the Flying Scotsman. ...

References

• Roden, Andrew (2007). Flying Scotsman. London: Aurum. ISBN 978-1-84513-241-5.