Flying Scotsman in USA and beyond
After a poor 1st meeting attendance, it was encouraging to have a much larger audience to see Richard Hinchliffe giving a session on “Flying Scotsman in America and beyond” in the 1970s, Richard’s father George was the manager of this tour.
Originally 2 wealthy Americans came to the UK wanting to bankroll Flying Scotsman on a USA tour, at the time the Wilson government wanted to develop links with USA, so the tour commenced as a trade mission along the eastern seaboard of the USA in 1969.
To fit USA laws Flying Scotsman had to have a cowcatcher and an American whistle among many other requirements.
Regrettably the tour was a financial disaster as it had many employees staying in expensive hotels with income solely generated by selling UK merchandise on board. But not many people had heard of Flying Scotsman. Another major handicap were the Republicans who were opposed to any goods not from the USA.
The train travelled to New York but “a small act in a big city” was doomed as well as many people having very little knowledge of the Flying Scotsman.
Consequently, George Hinchcliffe was asked by Alan Pegler to take over the tour but wanted his wife and son to be with him, our speaker at that time aged 13!!
Richard provided much insight into the tour e.g. in Slaton Texas where it paused for the winter there was a whistle competition but this was won by a US engine who had been tipped off prior to the event.
There were many logistical problems as this was a huge train having 2 tenders requiring a huge turntable. Indeed, loading coal was another headache and in one place a ramp had to be built and loaded by hand!!
In some states the engine was considered a fire hazard requiring towing by a diesel or electric loco.
However, in California in 1971 they struck lucky as they needed coal and water so met this man who controlled the fire station (for water), he also owned the local radio station and was the mayor so soon over 1000 people turned up.
There were many more fascinating insights, in Chicago the train was arrested as it had not paid a bill from 1969. In another place Flying Scotsman was matched with a USA engine and the gap between the two was used as a goal for a game of football.
Despite all these difficulties Flying Scotsman behaved superbly throughout the tour.
This was a superb session Richard’s insight into the tour being the manager’s son gave us a fascinating evening by a skilled raconteur.