Classic Locos Of Scotland

Previously I informed readers that on the 27th September 2012 Royal Mail will issue a new customised booklet of six 1st class stamps.  4 x Jubilee Machins with code C and 2 x special issues showing Classic Locomotives of Scotland.

It is no secret that as well as a stamps collector I am also a steam engine enthusiast, so it is only natural that I am realy looking forward to this particular issue to add to my small collection.

It is also known from my previous ramblings that I collect Birmingham cancellations and postmarks.

You can imagine I was overjoyed to find that a first day of issue cover is being produced by Bradbury BDFC s with a extra special addition, this is a special Birmingham (Railway Road) cancellation and catchet showing the the famous LNER 4402 engine named the Flying Scotsman.

This exclusive design is printed on textured linen paper and then hand made into envolopes. I can not wait to own one!

For those of you who are interested in railway steam engines in general, the 2 special issues from the booklet (1st Class) show two engines, former North British Railway 4-4-0 locos in tandem.  LNER and BR class D34 Nos. 62471 Glen Falloch and 62496 Glen Loy, both built in the early 1920s

 The LNER Class A3 Pacific locomotive No. 4472 Flying Scotsman (originally No. 1472) was built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Doncaster Works to a design of  HN. Gresley who also designed the Mallard. You can read a previous aticle about The Mallad here. 

The picture below shows this classic at Doncaster works. Despite the LNER livery, the prominent German-style smoke deflectors and double chimney are BR-era features

 

It was employed on long-distance express trains on the LNER and its successors, British Railways Eastern and North-Eastern Regions, notably on the 10am London to Edinburgh Flying Scotsman service after which it was named. In its career 4472 Flying Scotsman has covered more than 2,000,000 miles (3,200,000 km).