By JoelB - 'It never ceases to amaze me that Britons will dig deep to fund (re)construction of steam locomotives. Not just the re-creation of long-gone prototypes using existing bits, but a complete, from-the-ground-up scratchbuild like "Tornado". This, in a country which supposedly had less average disposable income than the US, higher cost of living, higher taxes, higher fuel prices, etc, etc.'
All totally true.
'And it's not lottery winners funding these efforts, it's lots and lots of ordinary people subscribing to organizations like the A1 Trust. Just shows the depth of interest and dedication in the UK. End of lecture.'
Ordinary people like me, fer'instance.
It would probably surprise you to learn that over here we have easily four times more steam locomotives in operation that you do - some 2500 at the last count - many of them, in fact, almost 75% of them, mainline Class 1 railroad locomotives - steam and, surprise, surprise - even DIESEL!!!
And many of us subscribe to assisting locomotives on YOUR side of the water, from the sheer love. I put my money where my heart is for three locos over the water - the CPR Royal Hudson #2860, the Santa Fe Northern #3751, and my beloved SP&S E-1, #700.
My $$$ are exactly the same as yours.
Best
tac