'Tornado': Paddington to Worcester. 14th Feb. 2016

Paddington-Worcester Shrub Hill in 2 hours 31 minutes including all stops. Arrears reduced from 37L to 3L at WOS. Must have been a heck of a run. Upgrade envy level to DEFCON 1 – Apple Green.

 

That's less than what it was in steam days. Being the last BR(WR) steam hauled route in 1963/4 we followed it quite a lot. It was around 40 mins Padd to Reading & about 2 hours Rdg to Worcester SH.

 

Charlbury to Worcester S H 50m 55s. 70 thro Kingham, max 72 Adlestrop. Eased to 55 thro Moreton, 67 max in Blockley dip, 60 min before Chipping Campden and 75 down the bank. 45 thro Evesham then 71 max before Pershore. Cautious 15 at Norton Jn and 45 max before being checked in.

Stunning run, load 13 approx 475 tons tare, say 505 gross. No diesel attached and down main Pad to Moreton.

Late dep due to probs getting brakes off on the 67.

Whatever happens now, worth getting up early for and getting back late on a 'school night' for!

 

Any pictures of diesel?

 

Brilliant thanks.

 

Kingham. Impressive performance from Tornado

 

Sunday the 14th Febuary 2015?????????

Great video btw

 

Worcs SH to Bristol PKY 71m 36s. 14 Late start behind 16.32 to Pad. 39 max before Norton Jn, 30 round curve, 68 around Defford, 65 at Bredon, 72 after Ashchurch, eased early for Chelt Spa restriction, 73 after Churchdown, 62 at Glos Yard, 68 Brookthorpe, 66 Haresfield, 75 after Stonehouse tailing off to 60 at Rangeworthy.

Virtually back on time then delays after Yate due to single line working to Westerleigj Jn, part of diamond on sbd line removed. 6 1/2 lste on arrival.

Taking water in loop.

 

Really pleased that the squirrel made it.

 

Just gone past my house, which I will see again in 6 hours time...

 

DOH! Living in the past me

 

I think it was a pesky wabbit

 

Oh dear should have been on this rather that at the MHR Gala. HR editor will never forgive me!

 

I now understand why NR wouldn't let it up Sapperton. They were worried it might take off on the convex vertical curve at the summit.

 

All of us are here! So don't let it bother you.

 

I don't mind the Apple Green too much but the early style Stovepipe Chimney does bugger all for an A1's looks.

 

Or perhaps they were worried that Tornado would beat the current diesel times?

 

I think all of us steam fans are living in the past aren't we?

Sorry - just see our Yeti friend made the same observation. The difference between me and him is he remembers the steam age!