I wonder who came up with the idea of bolting German smoke deflectors onto an iconic British locomotive.....and more importantly.... why? No doubt there'll be some kind of technical explanation for the anomaly. I'm asking merely out of curiosity here, nothing more. I'm fine with the deflectors, but deflectors of a Teutonic pattern?, I'm obliged to hold my hands up and admit I'm perplexed. Still, it's a good photo Kevin, although I doubt she'd require a banker over Shap with that load.

Comment by Ken R on 10th May 2017 at 02:10

Nice photo of a legendary Locomotive. It is travelling light to somewhere.

Comment by Dave (Oy) on 10th May 2017 at 09:07

Nice! I was at Winwick Junction for my shot.

"The fitting of double chimneys in the late fifties gave the locos a second wind but BR then found they had the same problem as the LNER had had with 97. The soft exhaust caused smoke and steam to hang in drifting clouds around the boiler obscuring the driver's view ahead. Four of the class had small deflector plates fitted to the top of the smokebox, as had been tried on Humorist, but these were pretty ineffective. It was, we are told, Peter Townend (the boss at 34A) who suggested trying the German style deflectors. (They are called Witte deflectors in Germany - after their designer - they replaced the earlier Wagner style, which were like a huge version of the ones fitted to the Brits) These solved the problem."

Comment by Gary Leece on 10th May 2017 at 10:29

Dave (Oy) - your analysis re. the German deflectors is spot on. I was aware 34A were enthusiastic as to their effect, as were 64B, Edinburgh Haymarket depot, as they solved a problem heading north over the Forth Bridge in some particular weather conditions.
The Witte deflectors were ugly, but were certainly effective - more so than BR standard version.
I once had a neighbour up here in the North East, former top link driver, no longer with us. He used to describe the rolling to and fro motion on the A3 footplate, "like being at sea."
Good photo.

Comment by A.W. on 10th May 2017 at 10:32

I remember seeing The Flying Scotsman at Carnforth about 40 years ago and being able to go in the cab and have a really goo look round. I doubt they would allow that nowadays.

Comment by WN1 Standisher on 10th May 2017 at 11:03

When is it due through these parts again Dave ?

Comment by . Ozymandias . on 10th May 2017 at 14:46

I called in at a chipshop near Kirkitilloch several months ago that was named ' The Frying Scotsman '. I daresay it's just one of several dotted about the place bearing the same name though.

Comment by Dave (Oy) on 10th May 2017 at 20:52

Flying Scotsman will be passing through Wigan North Western at 18:17 on Tuesday 16th May! Heading South with the return leg of the Cathedrals Express railtour.

Comment by Ellen on 12th May 2017 at 02:16

Somewhat late in responding to this..
..had a busy and difficult day,Wednesday. What an impressive "animal" this is, I think of these as more than a machine!

Comment by Ellen on 12th May 2017 at 02:16

Somewhat late in responding to this..
..had a busy and difficult day,Wednesday. What an impressive "animal" this is, I think of these as more than a machine!

Comment by WN1 Standisher on 18th May 2017 at 14:36

Managed to get a shot of the Scotsman on the 16th at Rylands Crossing, Whitley. It was running 10 mins late and was receiving some addition thrust from the rear of the train. My photo was decent enough but failed on my second rule of photography, take the image in the centre of the shot !!

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