The
"Flying Dutchman"
In our lonely spot out of town, we had the company of this Pacific loco where we were sawing; it had three cylinders, all welded boiler and roller bearings throughout. 16 bar boiler pressure, The loco is passed for 140 kmh running speed. They were experimenting with Welsh Steam Coal which was giving them good steaming results, however the soft quality of this coal was its' down fall due to it breaking up into dust. It does not lend itself to being handled. The operators are plagued by the Diutch 'green' movement for making smoke on a run, if they are seen making it the greenies make complaints to the Enviromental Department, the Welsh giving near perfect smokless performance. The Green folk complaining is not a good sign for their future...
As we partook in a footplate ride on the loco, it was courteous I gave him the equivalent on Oliver, much to his amusement and his crew!
