To steam or ‘stuff’?
Determining whether something is ‘original’ or not is an increasingly thorny subject in railway preservation - and the well documented rebuild of Flying Scotsman cast new light on the issue. The celebrity ‘A3’ was already something of a hybrid of second-hand parts, including cylinders from classmate No. 60041 Salmon Trout, leading some to re-appoint the phrase: ‘Grandfather’s Axe’. The boiler subsequently underwent a substantial rebuild, rendering it an almost new component in its own right. Indeed, such was the locomotive’s tired condition that other major articles, such as the front section of the main frames, were also replaced with freshly cut material. This is a particularly sensitive matter, because ‘Scotsman’ is a treasure of the National Railway Museum, which has fundamental obligations to uphold the historical integrity of artefacts in its care. York’s decisions were justifiable, because the engine had already been significantly altered from what rolled out of Doncaster in 1923. Yet, the debate surrounding originality and historical integrity will be brought increasingly to the fore as locomotives become ever more worn out, as old material and once sound steam-era repairs pass the point of operational reliability and safety. It is an emotional tussle that staff, volunteers and members of the Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales know only too well. On the surface, its restoration of George England Welsh Pony is one of preservation’s true ‘Cinderella’ projects, and is something that we should all celebrate. However, the historic 1ft 11½in gauge machine was found to be such a rust bucket when it was dismembered in 2014 that, by the time flames warm through its new firebox, it will be a virtually new engine.
The Greek historian Plutarch questioned whether a ship would remain the same if it were entirely replaced, piece by piece. In the case of FR No. 5, one might examine the engine’s working history to discover that it has already been significantly rebuilt - and therefore its contemporary resurrection perpetuates that. Such an argument is perhaps too simplistic, but Welsh Pony was in such poor condition as to render even static display questionable especially when sister engine Princess is in far superior condition for exhibition. Surely, full restoration - and the dignity that it will regain - is a better outcome than merely ‘stuffing’ the sorry remains of a former star engine? Read what Thomas Bright found (pages 76-80) when we compared the 0-4-0STT with Plutarch’s paradox in January, to judge whether its restoration is justifiable. Tell us what you think - is re-steaming this 1867 gem the right call - or a step too far?