Tornado

Looks lovely, pleased to see it back- I wonder if they will cycle the liveries again? I thought it was a fantastic way to refresh it every few years!

Just had a look though your gallery- Tornado makes an interesting contrast with 65033- she looks very forlorn.


Chris

 

Tornado on the Border Reivers 27 June 2014

Fresh from a full overhaul, Peppercorn A1 4-6-2 No 60163 Tornado came to Carlisle to haul the last of four steam runs for the new Scotrail franchise. Named the Border Reivers after the pillaging clans who terrorised the bad lands between England and Scotland in days gone by, the train took us over Beattock and down the Clyde valley, then round the southern side of Glasgow and along the Ayrshire coast. Then we headed inland to Mauchline and picked up the beautiful Glasgow and South Western route down the Nith valley and back to Carlisle.

Seven packed coaches on hire from SRPS plus the A1's support coach made a modest load for Tornado, and she stormed smartly away from Carlisle, reaching 40 by Eden Bridge and 74 before the Metal Bridge, then eased slightly to 68 at Gretna Junction. We were slowed to 38 at Kirkpatrick (shades of things to come) then flew towards Lockerbie in the 70s but were back down to 52 at Beattock station. We were no slower than 49 to Longbedholm, but then Tornado was eased back and speed fell to 32 with a double yellow spotted - the freight ahead was slowing us once more. She recovered well and blasted uphill in the mid thirties, hitting 37 twice before being eased back to enter the summit loop, stopping 17 min 50 sec after passing the station.

Down the Clyde Valley, we were looped again at Abington for a second Pendolino, but then rattled up to 77 at Thankerton before the Carstairs water stop. No great excitement round the 'burbs, but we were bathed in sunlight as we passed the beachgoers and golfers down through Troon and Prestwick. Then Tornado provided plenty to listen to as we climbed the hill to Mauchline. The Nith valley was at its summer best as we rattled down, mostly in the sixties, before leaving some of our passengers at Dumfries. Final bursts of speed took us up into the 70s both sides of Gretna, and we stopped well early outside Carlisle waiting for a platform. Hopefully we shall see more innovative and well-priced steam specials from Scotrail in the future.

20 pictures are at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p590395265

Peter, on a murky Manchester Sunday
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

Spot the mistake with this tweet...!


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I don't know though, perhaps in the nation of Irn Bru, mars bars, haggis and salty porridge, 7 years old can be a ripe old age

 

Exactly... I suppose 'old' is relative, but I doubt 7 was quite what they were expecting!


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I'm just hoping that the 'old' girl is available to haul the Torbay Express next Sunday. <BJ>

 

Sad news

http://www.a1steam.com/index.php?op...ther-a-tribute&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=123

 

Yes very sad - I had intended once paid on the 23rd to get myself a ticket and sort out a trip. I doubt my one purchase would have made a difference but I feel guilty for not having sorted it sooner. Perhaps a sign of the times, but I sincerely hope not. The A1 Trust will bounce back from that, there's still a few rail tours to go this year and Big T is in fine fettle.

 

I rather think that the sad news was the passing away of Dorothy Mather, not the cancellation of the railtour!

 

I should point out that I posted before the news broke and of course that takes precedence over the cancelling of the rail tour.

She was a lovely lady and I extend my sincerest condolences to her family, friends and the A1 Trust.

 

Tornado has made it onto the new Top Gear Greatest Hits Blu-ray / DVD boxset released on Monday. The race to the North features on Disc 1 of the Blu-ray set.
I wonder if 60163 will also feature in the TG Christmas Special which will be an A-Z of Top Gear?

 

Why don't WCRC just put aside their stubborn stance on the A1 and allow it to run with them? It seems that there are no technical (safety) or commercial reasons why they shouldn't use Tornado. Someone needs to grow up!

 

So WCRC gets complaints for failing to maintain standards but it is acceptable to use a locomotive which fails to meet WCRC standards; how do you square that circle ?

 

Would you like to spell out exactly why you believe Tornado doesn't meet WCRC standards?

 

I am surprised that RYTC and SD are not banging on WCRC door requesting Tornado as it is a consistent and reliable performer.

Personally, have seen no issues with its operation, it does what it is designed for, hauling 12 coach trains, quickly up to 75mph, and all without a diesel being present.

In light of the current situation with WB, the use of standards and a certain TOC in the same sentence, make for a large grin, when mentioned by Mr kerr......

 

If memory serves correct the A1 Society used a contractor who wasn't on the WCRC "Approved List of Contractors" hence WCRC wouldn't sanction the use of 60163 on its trains. 60163 has proved itself reliable beyond expectations BUT the use of a contractor not on the WCRC list means that WCRC is currently unwilling to sanction its use.

That may change at some future date but it will be following negotiations between parties - and if one party doesn't wish to negotiate ......

 

Post of the week............

 

I think you will find the same contractor was used by WCRC on their own locos prior to and subsequently, and wont trawl over covered ground.

If memory serves me correct, WC wanted to have a say on contractors used on the A1.

It was the ultimate case of double standards, however, in view of many on here, 2 personalities clashed head on, and one took his train set away.

Strange that....

 

Difficult to apply normal business conventions to a unique business managed in a very individualistic manner.

 

Except of course there isn't. 4 runs in the last three months is not plenty of work.