A Daily Mail Story

A good read http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2333385/Record-breaking-steam-locomotive-Mallard-goes-display-sister-trains-time-mark-75th-anniversary-126mph-journey.html and some wonderful pictures. But do you agree with the thesis?

The paper says

Record-breaking steam locomotive Mallard goes on display with two sister trains for first time to mark 75th anniversary of 126mph journey

• In a scene not witnessed since the Thirties the three trains sit beside each other at York's National Railway Museum

and it is based on Bob Gwynne's from the Museum's quote.
'This is a very special sight because here we have a scene that hasn't been seen since the 1930s. We haven't seen this for 75 years or so.' 

How accurate is this? Surely at any time through to the mid 1960s, A4s could have assembled en echelon? If the debate is about garter blue and skirts, one of them on display is not in that state. And even if you focus on that, presumably it was possible into the 1940s. The 25th aniversary of the record was in 1963. I shall look into what if anything was done then. Of course, the Germans think the record is theirs.  As you can tell I am simply uncomfortable when Daily Mail hype carries away a museum.One of two of the people who have left comments with the paper have wised up to this.

Then I opened Wikipedia and was reminded "On the weekend of 5 July 2008, Mallard was taken outside for the first time in years and displayed beside the three other A4s that are resident in the UK, thus reuniting them for the first time since preservation."

David Farms was there and wrote this "Sunday 5th July. Wikipedia is not totally correct though. Mallard in Steam having been outside on a number of occasions prior to this date, Sir Nigel Gresley in steam as stand by for the "Special" and Bittern cosmetically restored as Silver Link were displayed for about two hours outside NRM. Mallard having pulled a "Special" from Doncaster. After that I believe. it took the special to Scarborough and back. Scarborough council having paid for the turntable there to be renovated."  The question now is whether in 2008 there were three or four together at York?

And whilst you look into this an interesting resource is here.

 I grant that when the six are together that will be a novelty that cannot have happened since at least 1963 when Mallard was withdrawn.

A Railway Magazine feature  August 2013 p14 details a late occasion when six BR A4s were together. It was May 12th 1966 at Aberdeen Ferryhill shed. 

Alarm Bells Ring

From my Facebook

Would it seem like a decade of mismanagement exemplified in the 4472 restoration and the allegedly cost free Mallard party that gets you to this http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchesters-museum-science-industry-faces-4044896

? For the railway museum I say cut it loose from government and hand it to the railway industry and the enthusiast.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite my great admiration for the NRM those who follow this blog will wise up to the thought that my own exposure to the inner workings of the operation and my reading of the media have led me to the conclusion it has been management light for quite some time. Over the last decade or so the parent SMG group has been in the same dock (reflect how Andrew Scott had to move from York to London to cover another's hiccup).  Now if this report is anything like accurate, the inevitable cannot be postponed for a lot longer.

I think there is a solution, I have given it above. But regardless of what I think, the real importance is that there is a proper debate. The NRM has fought shy of the media for about eight months now. That is not how you have a debate. Why does not the Institute of Railway Studies organise a proper debate in York about the future of the museum?  I have every reason to be concerned with a vast amount of my life's work there. However we did put safeguarding clauses into the sale contract against a change of circumstance.

Other reporting (please send links)
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10460385.National_Railway_Museum_under_threat_from_funding_cuts/ 

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/10460528.National_Media_Museum__under_threat_if_cuts_continue_/ 

http://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2013/00751?_ts=50274 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-22781573 The Science Museum Group boss with a worrying message.  

http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2013-06-07/york-mp-lobbies-over-future-of-national-railway-museum/  York MP calls for a debate.

 

Dominion of Canada + Director Interviews

The finished job. 4489 at Shildon today 25th May 2013.  And more or less same time frame, the position for Museum Director is now advertised rather than acting Director. I believe Paul Kirkman is in the running and is probably front runner. The Guardian posted the advert on the 25th April 2013. And see here.

NRM Development E news 1

Not every piece of news I get from the NRM I report on. But this first issue of a new newsletter is worth flagging over several self evident fronts.

The outgoing address NRM Development News

The Reply to sponsorship-reply@newsletters.nrm.org.uk

The content as delivered today:

Welcome!

Welcome to your new enewsletter from the NRM Development Team. Down the Line will bring you all the latest news and updates from the museum to show how your support really is making a difference to the work we do.

We will bring you details of upcoming projects and exhibitions that you can support, and information about special supporter events that we have planned for you throughout the year.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to get in touch.


New Look Station Hall
After two years of securing funds for the renovation of our Station Hall, we are pleased to announce that the project is now complete. Since moving the locos in 2011 and creating a new entrance to the space, we have focussed on objects, lighting and installations to recreate the sights and sounds of a working station. The Royal Platform is now richly decorated to display our collection of majestic royal carriages. Our passenger platform has been brought to life with objects and stories given to us by the public as part of our Station Stories hunt. Sound recordings are helping to tell the story of a running goods depot; while the chance to watch Nightmail and Terminus brings a whole new visual element to the space. An in depth account of the
project can be found in Ruth's blog.

Mallard 75
Our main focus so far this year has been raising sponsorship to reunite the six surviving A4 Pacific Class locos as part of the Mallard 75 celebrations. On 3rd July 2013 we will launch a spectacular series of events to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Mallard achieving the world speed steam record. The centrepiece of the programme will be a one off grouping of the A4s around the turntable at the National Railway Museum, but will also include a unique exhibition It's Quicker by Rail at our Art Gallery, breathtaking lighting of the six locos as part of the Illuminate York festival, and a spectacular finale event and line up at our sister site in Shildon. Donors to the Mallard 75 project will receive special access to the A4 collection, and a certificate of recognition for any contribution made. Remember to visit our website for all the latest Mallard related news and announcements. To find out how you can support the Mallard 75 celebrations, please contact the development team.

Remember to  visit our website for all the latest Mallard related news and announcements: http://newsletters.nrm.org.uk/re?l=5urgseI1n5zkv0I0

Dates for your diary

2 May: Evening of Family Fun
This unique event will give you the opportunity to enjoy some of the Museum's most popular activities after hours.  With free steam rides, live drama performances, craft activities to take home, and a tour of the royal carriages, there is something for everyone.
*Please note that this event is for NRM Patrons and Corporate Partners only. To find out about the benefits of these schemes and how you can join, please contact the team: development@nrm.org.uk

23 May: Annual Dinner
This evening is an opportunity for us to welcome supporters and friends, old and new, in recognition of their tremendous ongoing support. We strive to position ourselves at the heart of the modern industry and debate, and trust that you will find the evening a great networking opportunity with other industry leaders.
*Please note that this event is for NRM Patrons and Corporate Partners only. To find out about the benefits of these schemes and how you can join, please contact the team: development@nrm.org.uk

7 June: Wilton Power Station Tour
An exclusive behind the scenes tour of Wilton International Site at Middlesborough. Guests will be taken on a plant tour of Sembcorp Main Power Station, the Control Room and Rail Head, and visit to the Transporter Bridge.
*Please note that this event is for NRM Patrons only. To find out about the benefits of this scheme and how you can join, please contact the team: development@nrm.org.uk

3 July: Mallard 75 Great Gathering Gala Dinner
Enjoy a drinks reception in Station Hall and exclusive preview of our new art exhibition, then move into the Great Hall for a unique chance to dine surrounded by the six surviving A4 locomotives. Hear the story of the Great Gathering from those who made it happen, and enjoy a sumptuous three course meal and coffee. Tickets for this spectacular event, at a cost of £75 each, are limited so book yours now: http://newsletters.nrm.org.uk/re?l=5urgseI1n5zkv0I1

14 September: Railways change lives
In partnership with The National Archives, we'll be holding a one-day conference at York to look at how railways have changed our lives, drawing on the archives and collections of the National Archives and our museum. Tickets, at a cost of £50, are limited and available on a first come, first served basis so book now at http://newsletters.nrm.org.uk/re?l=5urgseI1n5zkv0I2 or download the full programme and speaker list here: http://newsletters.nrm.org.uk/re?l=5urgseI1n5zkv0I3
Note: On Saturday 7 September, The National Archives will host the same conference programme at Kew so that people from London and the South East can attend. Visit their website for details and to book online: http://newsletters.nrm.org.uk/re?l=5urgseI1n5zkv0I4

For further information on any of the above events, please contact the team directly. Thank you for your continued support. It is very much appreciated by everyone here at the museum

Best wishes,

The Development Team
e:  development.org.uk
t: 01904 686 285


Offers for supporters

Bachmann Midland Models
We would like to offer supporters the opportunity to purchase two of these exclusive models at a reduced price. Platinum Midland Compound £130 (save £40) Standard Midland Compound £110 (save £30)

Contact tish.bolton@nrm.org.uk for more details

Great British Loco Pin Collection
A landmark tribute to our greatest British locomotives, each of these pins is an original, unique design, celebrating the greatest British locomotives of all time. Every pin comes with its own fascinating fact card, providing more of each train's story.

Find out more here: http://newsletters.nrm.org.uk/re?l=5urgseI1n5zkv0I5

Mallard 75 Memorabilia
A new range of exclusive Mallard 75 products will be available to purchase in the NRM shop from Saturday 30 March. The collection incorporates artwork designed around the loco's 4468 number, using Mallard's dynamic and beautiful new colouring.Visit the shop here:
http://newsletters.nrm.org.uk/re?l=5urgseI1n5zkv0I6

Don't forget to add this email address to your safe senders list
National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York, YO26 4XJ. Tel 08448 153139
www.nrm.org.uk | nrm@nrm.org.uk

Royal Patronage

Royal Patronage matters, this tweet @clarencehouse: Prince of Wales becomes Patron of Mallard 75, celebrating 75yrs of steam train world speed record http://bit.ly/16d6b5U .

Flying Scotsman delayed till 2015

I shall try not to get too emotive about 4472 although I find it difficult not to observe that the time/money the engine and the A4 party have consumed could have been spent a 1000 better ways. The NRM is at York, yes, but it was not intended to be Gresley centric. Anyway enough comment, I simply want to record the links on the latest chapter in the saga:


http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10277771.Flying_Scotsman_not_back_on_the_rails

Will not steam before 2015 and major expenditure still in front. In essence the Tony Marchington era supercharged and blew the engine. This was not properly appreciated in 2004. 

More (Heritage Railway)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=345208942250182&set=a.283653235072420.54227.139645862806492&type=1

And the FCP report with a personally felt surprising number of redactions (said to be because a tender process for the repairs will start).

http://www.nrm.org.uk/aboutus/nrmdocuments  Two PDFs to download. 

Header photo dates my first encounter with 4472 on visit to Norwich in 1967. Plenty of ephemera about the engine including my 1967 excursion Norwich to York (first visit to museum) in The Forsythe Collection in Search Engine at NRM.

Dates for the six A4s at York

Railway Magazine August 2012 p17 Steve Davies "Current thinking anticipates all six being together for one month at the NRM, followed a little later by a further week, also at York". Railway Magazine April 2013 the "line-up of six A4s will start on July 3rd and will last a week".

This date is not exactly the same duration as in the NRM press release quoted previous post, till 17th July and in the R Mag p64 same issue.