Flying Scotsman at Norwich in 1937

[tom1681]

Hello all.

The grandfather of a friend of my wife says he went on a trip (I don't where to, it might have only been 1/4 mile up the track or something) from Norwich behind the Flying Scotsman in 1937, and he'd like to know the exact date.

I've done some searching and can't find any reference to this. The closest I've found was an LNER expo in 1939 (http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/906) but 4472 isn't mentioned.

Does anyone have any ideas if this did happen and when exactly it might have been?

Thank in advance.

 

[Taunton]

In September 1937 the LNER streamlined two B17 4-6-0 locos 2859 and 2870 in a manner which made them look just like an A4, for a new fast named train the "East Anglian" from Norwich to Liverpool Street. Likely that there was an amount of 'high speed' type publicity at Norwich associated with this. The locos lasted through WW2 in this manner but were stripped of it shortly afterwards. I see 2859 features in your attached film clip (as, I believe, does Nigel Gresley, getting down the footsteps from it).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Anglian_(train)

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=B...7LQDA#imgrc=LhyUhRCHGeCy_M:&spf=1495431449065

 

[eastdyke]

Flying Scotsman was used in 1967 for a 'Cathedrals Express' from Ipswich and Norwich to York (and back).

 

[Spartacus]

I'm not sure the route was cleared for such heavy axle loads back in 1937, at least not that far East, hence the streamlining of the two B17s, and indeed the reason the class was constructed, so they're likely to have been the biggest passenger locos down there then.

 

[Bevan Price]

I'm not sure the route was cleared for such heavy axle loads back in 1937, at least not that far East, hence the streamlining of the two B17s, and indeed the reason the class was constructed, so they're likely to have been the biggest passenger locos down there then.

Can't remember where I saw it, but I recall having read about Scotsman being towed (pre-WW2) to somewhere in East Anglia - devoid of water & coal, to keep it within axle load limits.

 

[oldman]

4472 and 10000 visited Norwich for an exhibition on 2-3 May 1931, according to the RCTS green book chapter on 10000. Nothing about them being towed though.

 

[tom1681]

Thanks for all the info folks. The chap in question is sure it was 4472, but not 100% of the year I've now discovered. Also, it wasn't a trip he went on, just went in in it, it turns out.

Oldman's info is interesting though - proving it was possible for 4472 to reach Norwich in the 1930s (and under it's own power according to this photo I've just found.

The restrictions on A1s up this way may have been due to turntable size rather than weight according to this discussion.

So looks like it was May 1931 he saw it.