4468 Mallard's 50th Anniversary Railtours

[Ethan-E2]

Recently I've been looking into the times Mallard was steamed between 1985 and 1988, creating a list of all the times I've found of it running. I believe the number of times it was steamed was around 26, but I'm not certain about some of the tours I found, and others don't have much information surrounding them. I have created an excel file documenting my findings, with dark grey lines being ones I'm quite sure didn't happen and light grey being those I haven't found much information on. I'm also uncertain about 'The Scarborough Flyer' trains, as some images from 26/04/1986 run show a different headboard to that of the prior day, whilst some claim the same headboard was used (with it being spelt as 'flier'), so it's possible the second headboard was used for a run I haven't found any information on yet.

If anyone is familiar with these railtours could share what they know about them, or where I could find more information, I would be grateful! I really want to get an accurate list. There's one I'm really interested in - a double-header with 92220 Evening Star I haven't been able to find any images of.

 

[Bevan Price]

I never managed to do any of those tours, unfortunately, but from what I remember, Mallard was regarded as "a bit delicate". It was only permitted to do a very limited number of railtours. And you can see from your list, nothing needing a lot of exertion - so no tours over Shap, or the Settle & Carlisle line.

 

[Harvester]

IIRC only affordable light repairs were done to the boiler in 1985, hence only a certificate for a limited number of steamings was granted. I think the limit (excluding the first test) was 25, so your darker marked runs probably never did happen!

 

[sprinterguy]

I never managed to do any of those tours, unfortunately, but from what I remember, Mallard was regarded as "a bit delicate". It was only permitted to do a very limited number of railtours. And you can see from your list, nothing needing a lot of exertion - so no tours over Shap, or the Settle & Carlisle line.

The York - Carlisle - Newcastle - York (and vice versa) trips were over the Settle & Carlisle line. There's a Settle and Carlisle pictorial, published in 1990, that features Mallard on the front cover on one of these trips.

 

[Harvester]

Did not ‘Scarborough Council‘ contribute towards the NRM’s costs of getting Mallard mainline certified, hence a fair number of the trips went to Scarborough!

 

[778]

Has Mallard ever visited a heritage railway?

 

[Harvester]

Has Mallard ever visited a heritage railway?

I don’t think the NRM would ever allow this. Mallard has attended some events away from the NRM, Doncaster Works open days and ‘The Great Goodbye’ at Shildon in 2014, but IIRC not to a heritage railway!

 

[NER1621]

Has Mallard ever visited a heritage railway?

As it would only visit as a static exhibit, for most (all?) heritage railways the transport & supervision costs wouldn’t be worth it in terms of extra revenue generated. Even assuming that the NRM would consider the idea, which they wouldn’t.

That’s “Flying Scotsman”’s job. At the risk of over-simplifying the long discussions we had, one significant rationale behind the acquisition of FS was to obtain a large working loco which could act as a roving ambassador for the museum on heritage lines and possibly the main line, and which could be kept in working order without too many curatorial concerns because it had already been messed about with so much. (A subsidiary reason was to tell the story of how steam locomotives were maintained and repaired by constant replacement and exchange of parts, such that concepts such as “originality” are more fungible than they might seem.)

Richard

 

[mike57]

If you do a YouTube search there are a number of videos showing some of the 1986 trips. Quality isnt great on some, but they certainly prove locations and some dates. No evidence of the greyed dates but plenty from 9th July 1986 when it passed through our local station, and there some pictures from this date on the Hull Scarborough Line Facebook group, taken at Beverley. It might be worth reaching out to the YouTube contributors to see if they have any more detailed information beyond what is on the published video.

 

[33017]

I’ve got a phot of it at York after arrival from Scarborough on 25th August 86. Had no idea (or long since forgotten) it was only its third passenger train since preservation.

 

[Narrowgauge725]

Ethan-E42 thanks your list I must have been stood on Slaithwaite Station on 25 or 26 April 1987 as it is the only time I saw Mallard at the head on a train. Unfortunately I did not have a camera with me.

 

[Eyersey468]

My mum once told me that we saw Mallard going through Strensall level crossing on one of the tours in around 1987/8, as I was still in a buggy at the time I don't remember it though

 

[8A Rail]

I manage to record 'Mallard' on a number of occasions during that time but the image that stands out for me personally, was the final one on her final run at MP260, Ais Gill summit - not forget that! In superb light, the wind blowing the right way and the rods down in the right place too! Amazingly I was at Birkett Common when she came to a halt (also recorded), then our driver decided to have a dash to the summit for another shot! Well the proof in the pudding is .............................

Edit: Just for the record and small amendment, re 'Asda Express' on 4 September 1986, 'Mallard' only hauled the train between York to Scarborough and return. The London leg was hauled by No 47582 'County of Norfolk' in Network South East livery.

 

[Eyersey468]

I manage to record 'Mallard' on a number of occasions during that time but the image that stands out for me personally, was the final one on her final run at MP260, Ais Gill summit - not forget that! In superb light, the wind blowing the right way and the rods down in the right place too! Amazingly I was at Birkett Common when she came to a halt (also recorded), then our driver decided to have a dash to the summit for another shot! Well the proof in the pudding is .............................

Edit: Just for the record and small amendment, re 'Asda Express' on 4 September 1986, 'Mallard' only hauled the train between York to Scarborough and return. The London leg was hauled by No 47582 'County of Norfolk' in Network South East livery.

Lovely picture thank you for sharing

 

[Narrowgauge725]

Perfection fabulous photo

I manage to record 'Mallard' on a number of occasions during that time but the image that stands out for me personally, was the final one on her final run at MP260, Ais Gill summit - not forget that! In superb light, the wind blowing the right way and the rods down in the right place too! Amazingly I was at Birkett Common when she came to a halt (also recorded), then our driver decided to have a dash to the summit for another shot! Well the proof in the pudding is .............................