What parts of the Flying Scotsman locomotive are original? If none of it is original how is it the same loco?

Question

What parts of the Flying Scotsman locomotive are original? If none of it is original how is it the same loco?

Answer 1

It matters not whether the original parts or replacement parts are in service. The important thing is the design; to which ALL parts will conform unless there is a good reason why they should not.

Of course, even the creation of an exact replica is very expemsive, but I would assume that many parts are original.

Answer 2

Probably just the Frames (Chassis) and the nameplate are from the original loco, along with some of it's motion.

When loco's go through works for overhauls the parts get changed from one loco to another. Flying Scotsman's bolier is actually from a different (although similar) class of loco altogether. Tenders were swapped about regularly.

Generally, engines take there identity from the number on there frames, the rest of it is all just bolt on parts.

It is quite well accepted that there are fery few original (NER) parts on Flying Scotsman that were on it when it was built.

Also with the engine being converted from Vaccum to Air brake alot of pipework has been altered.

If you look at any steam engine in the UK, you'll see a multitude of numbers stamped all over them on parts from different engines, as is the case with Flying Scotsman.

Answer 3

You will probably find that the frames, the wheels, connecting rods and pistons are all original, as well as the cab and all of the controls.  The only parts that are likely to be new are the firebox and the boiler tubes, but that is the case with all locomotives.  They are service items.

The Flying Scotsman effectively never came out of service, so it was not so much a restoration project - more of a continuing (and VERY expensive) constant maintenance programme.

It does remind me though - in my shed I have the actual axe that was used to behead Charles I - it has, hoewever, had three new handles and two new heads.

Answer 4

Mostly original :)

Answer 5

I think your motive is loco. Why would you ask such a question?

Answer 6

Well dear, I've had the same garden broom for 30 years - obviously it's had 10 new heads and 3 new handles!

But, as for the train -Scottish Law states that for the train to be classed as the Flying Scotsman - they have to retain the original sporran.

Answer 7

Modern, standardised steam locomotives constantly changed as they were repaired. 4472 ran with several different boilers during lis life and probably recieved new frames at some stage and new cylinders and the original alloy steel rods were changed for heavier versions, and Pistons were changed at each overhaul to match rebored cylinders, so there may very well be nothing at all left of the original 1923 Locomotive.

Great Western locomotives were similar but the changes were more obvious, as the later parts were often physically different to the originals, Caerphily Castle, a contemporary of Flying Scotsman seems to retain her original frames, later replacements were a different style, but had numerous boiler and tender changes .

The classic example of this replacement is on the FFestiniog railway in Wales. After many rebuilds the engime built as Livingstone Thompson later Taliesin, later Earl of Merionith and sister Merddin Emrys, had so many new parts fitted that they were able to build a complete engine from the discarded parts. This was given the name Livingstone Thompson and put on display at the NRM York