LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
- 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 at Doncaster Works to a design of Sir Nigel Gresley. The locomotive was later renumbered to 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.
It ended service with British Rail in 1963, and was sold to preservation, initially to Alan Pegler who saved the locomotive from being scrapped. It is frequently referred to as the most famous steam locomotive in the world. It has been on a tours of the USA and also Australia, as part of the country's bicentenary celebrations in 1988.
Specifications of Gresley Class A3 Pacific "Flying Scotsman"
- Built 1923
- Designer Sir Nigel Gresley
- Engine 3-cyl, double-acting
- Weight 350,000 lb (159,000 kg)
- Length 70 feet (21.6 m)
- Height 13 feet (4.0 m)
- Driving Wheel diameter 80 inches (2.03 m)
- Gauge Standard 4 ft 8½ in (1.435 m)
- Top speed 110 mph (177 km/h)
- Distance travelled 2,000,000 miles (3.2 Gm)
- Effective Traction 600 long tons force (6.0 MN)
In recent years, the Flying Scotsman has had an eventful existence. In 1995 the locomotive was in pieces and was facing an uncertain future at Southall depot in West London due to the enormous cost of restoration and refurbishment necessary to meet the stringent engineering standards required for main line operation today. Salvation came in 1996, when Dr. Tony Marchington purchased the Flying Scotsman and has restored it to its former magnificent glory at a cost of some £750,000.
In 2004 the Flying Scotsman was for put up for sale, following mounting debt of its owning company. After a high profile campaign, it was purchased by the National Railway Museum in York and is now part of the national collection.
External links
- Photo: from Gresley Society (http://www.hornbyrailways.com/prodimg/lrg6148.jpg)
| Locomotives of the London and North Eastern Railway | |
| Pre-Grouping Railway Designs | |
| Great Central Railway: | B18 - D11 - O4 |
| Great Eastern Railway: | B12 - E4 - J15 - J17 - J39 - N7 - Y5 |
| Great North of Scotland Railway: | D40 |
| Great Northern Railway: | C1 - C2 - J52 - N2 |
| North British Railway: | D34 - J36 - Y9 |
| North Eastern Railway: | E5 - D17 - J21 - J27 - J72 - Q6 - Q7 - X1 - Y7 |
| LNER Designs | |
| Gresley: | A3 - A4 - B17 -D49 - J38 - J39 - K4 - P1 - P2 - U1 - V1 - V2 - V3 - V4 - W1 |
| Thompson: | A2 - B1 - B2 - K1 - K5 - L1 - O1 - Q1 |
| Peppercorn: | A1 - A2 - K1 |
