Remembering The Flying Scotsman
Dear Sir
I was delighted to learn this morning that the NRM had managed to secure the Flying Scotsman for the Nation, thanks to Richard Branson, the national Lottery Millenium Fund and many private contributors. I wept with joy.
My parents came from Newcastle on Tyne, but I was born on Brighton in 1936. Throughout my childhood we used to holiday, every 2 years or so, with my Grandmother just outside Newcastle. We always travelled on the 10am train from King's Cross - "The Flying Scotsman".
On several occasions, I remember that the train was hauled by the Flying Scotsman engine, which for me was always something special. Indeed, one of the main highlights of these holidays was inspecting the engine during the 30 minutes or so before it pulled out.
Having the Flying Scotsman engine itself was a bonus. I remember pacing it's length, and though I can't remember how long it was, I do remember that the engine was just shorter than a carriage, and with its tender, the engine was somewhat longer.
I used to look up at the driver, absolutely willing him to invite me up onto the footplate. The blighter never did, though he generally smiled benignly. An odd thing was that when I used to go up to the front, a great belch of steam would issue from just below the cylinders, dousing me in smelly steam, smoke and oil fumes. Invariably, my Dad would laugh his socks off, whilst my Mum looked disapproving.
It wasn't until two years ago, at the age of 65, when I had the great pleasure of driving one of the Great Central Railway engines between Loughborough and Leicester, that I found out the drivers had done that deliberately. I had a good laugh!
I hope you enjoy this little anecdote.
John McDonald
Thanks for that great memory, John. JP, Editor.
