Tornado Paddington/Penzance 29/05/17

Tornado has previously taken 10 both ways over the south Devon banks. They are more severe than anything in Cornwall, tho the climb from Par to Snozzle will be tough if there's a slack at the bottom, which did for the Brit.

 

Not necessarily. IIRC, @The Man said that the work in Cornwall is actually harder than the south Devon banks, due to the lengths of the gradients and the curvature. He was commenting on Lizzie's performance on the CathEx in September last year. You are probably right that Dainton, Rattery and Hemerdon are the limiting factor for the load, but maybe the fireman really earns his pay west of Plymouth.

 

It's a bit like cycling! I did LEJOG last year and we had endless discussions as to what's worse, a nasty sharp 1:5 - or a long drag that goes on an on? We went over Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor, Shropshire Hills, Kirkstone Pass, Cairnwell and the Lecht. Toughest day of all in terms of altitude gained was in Devon, and many a cyclist has kissed the sign for 'Somerset' as you go over Whiteball. Our performance was rather more Nunney Castle than Tornado. We got there, but with a few blow ups on the way...

 

Had an email from U.K. Railtours stating that with the Western out of action the return leg will be hauled by a 59/2.

Was maybe hoping for a Deltic or a Hoover but it's not a class I've travelled behind before and a rare opportunity.

Pathing will also have to be different as I think the 59/2's are restricted to 75mph.

 

Email from UKR that it's a Class 59/2 on the return. Just hope nothing else untoward occurs and we end up with 5.30am from Ealing Broadway to Exeter for operational reasons! But that's me being unduly pessimistic. Shame about D1015 good luck to the DTG in getting it fixed for next year. 90mph from Tornado would diminish the disappointment however.

 

Class 59 would be good instead of a shed. No hope of a deltic then.

 

Being local I'm looking forward to the photo opportunities this tour offers and the added light loco paths. Be diffent to see a 59 down here on a passenger train, only seen as far as Bristol on the 59er tour.

 

Same e-mail received and I must admit that I'm totally underwhelmed by the replacement motive power. I'd booked for a day out behind steam and classic diesel traction but now were being taken home by a glorified Shed.

 

Just checked and yes it's 75mph. Wonder how much that will add to the journey time?

 

I agree Spamcan81, it is a tad disappointing, if the tour was only a month or so away then a 59/2 would be a logical and sensible option, but it's more than that.

I know that with the Western out of action the next logical choice of heritage traction would of been a Hoover (or a Warship) but that's personal preference for being the right loco running in an area associated with the class.

Taking that into account though you could argue why have I jumped at the chance of Tornado to Penzance - I'd agree I'd prefer to have a King or a King/Castle combination...

But having said that...

I was aware that the Western could be ruled out when I booked and its still Tornado from Paddington to Penzance - which was one of the main attractions and reasons why I booked the tour in the first place.

As with most steam tours you pays your money and takes your chance.

Fingers crossed though that the itinerary doesn't change any further...

 

Timing now in RTT for this

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55231/2017/05/29/advanced

Looking forward to it too

Return leg diesel hauled

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55232/2017/05/29/advanced

Tornado then works to Bodmin

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55235/2017/05/29/advanced

 

We get a Belgian beer as well?
Not so stellar on the way back though.

 

Wonder when we'll see Tornado's 90MPH capability used in anger, Not that the timings are bad here, But certainly to Exeter 90MPH could be used to good effect.

 

Currently looking at booking the 15:59 HST back from Penzance. Still at a reasonable price on my Old Git's railcard and will get me home much earlier.

 

I know Tornado doesn't really do late but opting for the 15:59 does allow for more delay than the 15:25.

 

Tornado may not do late but Network Rail certainly do and it is Bank Holiday Monday!