Introduction
Buck, p. 166: “In 1933, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway sent its premier passenger train, The Royal Scot, to North America as part of the Chicago World's Fair.”
Buck, p. 166: “To comply with North American operating practices, the 6100 was equipped with an electric headlight and a standard brass bell, two items not used in British railways at that time.”
However, there's a certain amount of controversy regarding whether or not it truly was #6100.
Whitehouse & Thomas, p. 37: “In 1933 the LMS 4-6-0 No 6100 Royal Scot (in fact No 6152 in disguise) was sent on exhibition to the USA and Canada.”
Much intrigued by this statement, we contacted the Bressingham Steam Museum in 2002 (where the locomotive was preserved at the time) soliciting their comments on the matter:
Madden, pers. comm.: “Although we have no documentary evidence, we are told that "Royal Scot" would not be ready in time for its departure to Canada and No.6152 "Kings Dragoon Guardsman" was substituted and carried the number and name up to this present day. This story has been challenged on a number of occasions mainly on the basis that it was common for locomotives to exchange parts during an overhaul to speed up the time out of traffic. It is always possible that "Royal Scot" received numerous parts from 6152 prior to its departure for Canada.”
The engine was shipped disassembled (see photo here) and thus re-assembled in Montreal at the Angus Shop. So perhaps, in order to make the shipping date, the LMS did not have the time to complete the overhaul back in England and thus just sent the parts over.
Buck, p. 166: “The train made a special transcontinental excursion, going west through the United States and returning in Canada by way of the CPR main line.”
British Columbia
Buck, p. 166: “It is the morning of October 28, 1933, and the British visitor, locomotive 6100 and a standard consist of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway's "Royal Scot," is being serviced at the CPR's North Bend, B.C., station. ...While the 6100 was a most efficient locomotive, consuming special anthracite coal, CPR officials were more impressed with the design of the passenger cars, whose curved sides and top can be seen clearly.”
Alberta
Ontario
The train was thus exhibited here prior to moving on to Chicago.
Unknown location
Marginalia
The Royal Scot inspired the design of this miniature locomotive:
References
- Buck, G.H. (1997), From Summit to Sea: An Illustrated History of Railroads in British Columbia and Alberta, Fifth House Ltd., Calgary, ISBN 1-895618-94-0.
- Madden, D. (2002), pers. comm., , 13 Dec 2002, Collections Manager, Bressingham Steam Museum
- Shaw, M. (2014), Taking the Train to America: The Royal Scot and 'A Century of Progress', British Library.
- Whitehouse, P., and Thomas, D. St J. (1992), A Passion for Steam, David & Charles, Devon, ISBN 0 7153 0030 X.
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