OT 4472 Flying Scotsman in OZ
  Gregory Wilson

A brief History behind the visit.

When Flying Scotsman' was first mooted to come to Australia it was considered by some to be a bit of a joke. The reason for this was I guess because it was one man's determination that it actually happened. One man who was a Post master at Yarrambat in local Victoria, but also the Chairman of the Aus Steam 88 committee who had the idea to celebrate Australia's Bi-Centenary by bringing a steam locomotive to Australia from the United Kingdom to make a guest appearance at the 1988 Bi-Centennial major steam event Aus-Steam 88 in Victoria. Demonstrating the link and influence that British locomotives had on Australian locomotive selection and design and Australian railways in general.
Initially other locomotives were in his sights as the locomotive to fill this roll and armed with a short list he travelled to the UK to make the arrangements to bring a steam locomotive to Australia for 3 months. The other locomotives considered were to be the 'Duchess of Hamilton' and or 'Mallard', at one point it was also looked at bringing 4079 Pendennis Castle from the west to the Eastern state. Mallard in 1988 was celebrating her anniversary of her record speed run, so was unavailable. Eventually 'Flying Scotsman' was secured and 4472 underwent a full overhaul to come to Australia.
Aus-steam 88 was billed to be the Mecca for any steam enthusiast as it would pull together in one location most of the operational steam locomotives from NSW and Victoria. As this was the case I planned my leave to correspond with this to hopefully be able to assist with 3801. I was also keen to see the 'Scotty' as it would be the only opportunity. The locomotive never destined to cross the border into NSW, arriving and leaving 3 months later from Victoria. Everything had been arranged in minute detail and 'Flying Scotsman' was on her way leaving Tilbury Docks in London on 14 September 1988 for the 32 day voyage to Australia, when the Victorian floating crane was unexpectedly sold.
In 1988 I was working at Train Equipment Section in Eveleigh Carriage Works and as such had been seconded to work on preserved rolling stock being operated by 3801 Ltd and the RTM for the railways steam excursions run during the time of the Bi-Centenary. In October 1988 I was called one day to the Works Managers Office Carriage Works where I was introduced to Mr. Roland Kennington who was the Engineer of Flying Scotsman. Flying Scotsman had arrived in Victoria as had been planned but due to no means to unload the locomotive it left Victoria and would be unloaded in Sydney. We then all went to meet the ship which was due to arrive and I saw my first sight of 4472 sitting as deck cargo on the P&O container ship 'New Zealand Pacific'. Arrangements were made to unload Scotsman on the following Saturday morning, the date 16 October 1988. As Aus-steam was to start the following week the Scotty had to be prepared and made ready to go south as soon as possible

The Saturday morning arrived and we boarded a short train hauled by NSW Alco diesel 4472 for the short run, partly along the now Sydney Light Rail right of way to Wharf 13 at Pyrmont. When the train arrived and was shunted we were able to see the Cockatoo Dockyards floating crane Titan lifting the locomotive and tender off the container ship and onto the barge or base of the crane ready for the short voyage to Pyrmont. By mid morning when the Titan with it precious cargo arrived at the wharf a small crowd had gathered to see 4472 unloaded, many well known names of the time were present. The Chief Mechanical Engineer at the time William (Bill) Casley had arranged 4472 to accompany 'Flying Scotsman' on several occasions during the visit. The locomotive, still attached with the specially prepared lifting beam was first to be unloaded by the crane followed by the tender.
With the 2 parts of 'Flying Scotsman' now finally on Australian Terra Firma 4472 then was used to shunt the locomotive and tender together. At the same time a thorough inspection and preparation was conducted to make sure 4472 was ready to move and able to make the short trip to Eveleigh's Large Erecting Shop. Both 4472's were shunted back onto the short train, before at a snail's pace with many watching eyes both started out, the first revolutions of 'Flying Scotsman' driving wheels, the next time it would be in steam. With the late afternoon sun setting 4472 was shunted into No.1 Road of the LES to allow the start of an extensive around the clock 2 day preparation for 4472 to operate under steam in Australia. These preparations included weighing the locomotive and fitting a spark arrestor and other items to allow the locomotive to operate on State Rail Authority rails.

Early Tuesday morning 19 October 1988, 4472 was sitting outside road 4 of the Large Erecting Shop with the fire lit for the first time, and steam being raised. Unfortunately one of the mud hole doors in the boiler began to leak and so the fire was dropped to allow repairs. Tuesday afternoon 4472 passed all steam tests and the locomotive was ready to move under steam for the first time in Australia. A trial was conducted to Port Kembla. The opportunity was taken on this run for a few photo stops along the way. In the fading afternoon light, 4472 left Wollongong for the return journey. All was in readiness now for the trip south. The train was shunted and the AK track recording car 812 was added to the consist for additional crew accommodation to Albury, ready for the following morning.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning just after 6.00AM 'Flying Scotsman set out on a journey which would see it travel to Melbourne. This journey saw 4472 quietly slip out of Sydney under the cover of darkness. Word soon spread though and as the sun rose the photographers started to line the trackside. The biggest crowd was to meet Scotsman at Goulburn. Wagga Wagga was reached during the night and Albury early the next morning. Coal had been shipped to various locations for the trip and also for the various trains that had earlier travelled south and would return in a couple of weeks at the conclusion of Aus-Steam . At Albury the AK 812 was left and 4472, after coaling and various inspections to make sure all was OK, steamed out of Albury with the LHY and L 395 into Victoria. The carriage L 395 was a converted carriage used as a crew car and had a platform on the rear which was great for riding on and waving to the gathering crowds and circling helicopters.
As 4472 raced to Melbourne the crowds grew trackside and every stop many people were able to witness the English visitor which was looked upon like Royalty. Seymour was reached late and so a meeting with 3801 was missed. Scotty was serviced at Seymour loco and a water 'Gin' was collected before departing for the last part of the journey to Melbourne. As Scotsman neared Melbourne the crowds grew and as everyone came out to wish Scotsman well on its way. Reaching Spencer Street station, all one could see was a sea of people there to meet the Scotsman. After extensive organisation, taking a steam locomotive half way round the world, an arrival in Sydney and a dedication by a team determine to see 'Flying Scotsman' make her debut for Aus-Steam 88 she had finally arrived ready to take up a full schedule of steam tours in Victoria. One man, Mr. Walter Stuchbery, who had put everything on the line to make the visit possible, his dream had become a reality and if the crowds to welcome 'Flying Scotsman to Melbourne were any guide the tour was to be a great success.

The photo's

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4472 swings on the Titan to the wharf at Pymonts after a short voyage across the harbour.
NSW Alco 4472 pulls 4472 'Flying Scotsman' off the wharf and shunts the train ready to depart.
Flying Scotsman in steam for the first time in Australia prior to a trial to Port Kembla and then departure to Melbourne
The majestic lines of Manorhills stone station make a beautiful backdrop for 4472 heading west.

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When I did tours with 4472 I always found someone I knew who could take me via road to get some photo's. traveling across South Australia this photo shows how insignificant our train was compared to the vastness of Australia.
Koolyanobbing WA was where we picked up the first of the Western Australian passengers and Also the Hon. William (Bill) McAlpine, then owner of the Flying Scotsman and the man who made it all possible.
The great day in Perth Terminal when 4472 and 4079 Pendennis Castle met again in public, the last time being in England in 1924.
The plan was to kiss buffers but because of the crowds, people came from all over the world to record this historic meeting, the locos were not able to get close enough to join together.
4472 and 4079 shunting on one of the many Western Australian tours that took place while scotsman was in the West.
Again the West tour was the forgotten one as it was not part of the original Flying Scotsman program. The Alice trip to be as far west as Scoty would go. However again, one man gave up everything to get Scotsman to the West and again it was a very enjoyable tour. The other major concern was that Scotsman had a ship to meet back in Sydney and without fail she had to make that deadline to finally go home after the 3 month stay had become ended up being close to 54 months. A most enjoyable time for me and one I will never forget.

Regards

Greg. Who remembers the fun as if it was yesterday, not 20 years ago.

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