4472 Flying Scotsman; the world's most loved locomotive

Flying Scotsman is undergoing a complete overhaul at the National Railway Museum in York, UK. It's not like there's a stockpile of spare parts for the loco--people are making parts from scratch with incredible skill and patience using machines visible at the end of the video. Techniques from the time the loco was built are used almost unchanged together with new methods such as using lasers to align the frame.

What draws us to a machine which at best is an inefficient means of transportation and at worst is a blight on the planet? I mean, talk about a carbon footprint--this holdover from 1800s technology is pretty much like Sasquatch! These days trains are cleaner (for passengers and the environment), more reliable, quieter, safer and in many cases (why not all?) faster than in the 1930s. Well, that's not the point. Flying Scotsman is the most iconic item of a romantic technology, a machine that somehow has a personality and an elegance that you just don't see today. Sure, we have the VW bug and the MAC computer, but those are brands, not singular items. Flying Scotsman traveled the world advertising British technology and industry. Perhaps it will again be an ambassador in a stable, peaceful post industrial world that has yet to be created.

I'm with the message of this song by the O'Jays, which was taken off of the video by YouTube. Nonetheless, let's not miss that train!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Flying
• Sctosman
• 4472
• Railway
• Museum
• York
• NRM
• LNER
• Gresley
• Pacific
• love
• train
• railroad
• O'Jays

[Driverman2008]

No!:0 Not you too!:( They made you remove "Love Train" by the O'Jays. F**k the copyright laws.>:(

[HowardFair]

Yeah, this music is something from YouTube's stupid library. I think that using music on youtube videos actually promotes the artists, rather than detracting from what they are doing. It might encourage people to download it for real. Besides, I only used music that was already here on YouTube!

[bladesman123]

although the scotsman is a great engine i prefer mallard

[HowardFair]

Yeah, it would be great to see Mallard running again, too, Bladesman.

[MihaZ]

At St-Constant railroad meseum, Exporail, we have a Flying Scotsman, the Dominion of Canada. Very cool engine! Check this video out, you can see it at 0:45. /watch?v=ee4slHjy79c

[HowardFair]

Merci du commentaire, MihaZ. Je serais reconnaissant si vous signaleriez ceci comme réponse visuelle à ma vidéo si vous aimez.

[Inuyasha4lif]

I really ddint like it when they put the ol elephant ears on her T-T

[kiaganga]

a proper enginering shop in the pride of the north these boys have the passion

[scotsman125]

@hindler. Will 4472 also be back in the year 2012?

[mrsoouter]

@TheHARDMAN2009 is thats the case then it the flying scotman should be ready for mallards anaversary so you'll have two great LNER trains back on the main line... all through i prefer GWR's but thats just me :)

[TheHARDMAN2009]

under steam in 2009 b++++++S you mean 2012 more like in 2010 its a rolling chassis

[sgprailfan]

Reminds me of the Pennsylvania Railroad K-4 Pacific we have here in the states, I hope they both steam again!

[TheRusskinruss]

personally I think the music suits this kind of video superbly..It has a more of a documentary feel to it..Don't think the Ojays would fit it at-all. Would of ruined your great video...

[hindler]

Actually, scrap that - it was 2007 when they started. Still - 2 years to pull it all apart & I'm sure it'll take longer to piece it all back together again.

[hindler]

Well, I was at the NRM this week, and there's much less of the Flying Scotsman in one piece now. They started in 2004, so at the rate they're going, I'd say they'll be lucky if they get her steamed and running again in 2013. 2014 might be nearer the mark.

[DanM012324]

Can someone tell me when she is goin to be in steam again 2009/2010?. Mabe after the NRM have finished work on the Flying scotsman they could then get to work on restoring Mallard? Hope so because i absoulutly love to see both the Flying scotsman and Mallard in steam together!

[EastCoastRail]

I wouldn't say its my most loved engine, in fact its not in my top 10, But i have to say it is a great engine to have been saved (Not many have been), Rather big shop isn't it?.....My Little Scenic line is fixing a 2-8-0 and there working inside a boxcar with some hammers and a torch :D if there was a part they haven't made from scratch im sure i would of heard about it

[amg4472]

hi amg4472

as you can see by my name on utube im

a big fan of 4472 flying scotsman great video good videoing !!

great [ 5 star rating ]