The Tees-Tyne Express 7/10/17

Seemingly got a failed Virgin Train Set in P3. Not getting any information. Depart 1658, 31 down. Durham arr 1716, +30. Max 67.

 

Now going past Tyne Yard

 

Bit of a difference. Newcastle to York, 80.2 miles in 78 and a bit minutes, moving time!!! Moving Average 61.2. Max 77. From 31 miles out of Newcastle to 78 miles out speed didn't drop below 71. 47 miles in 38 mins.

 

Watering in P11 at York due to operational issues in Donny.

 

Sounds like both the outbound and return legs have not exactly been plain sailing!

 

Flying like a thoroughbred at Plawsworth

 

Who wants to be sailing when theres a Tornado about lol lol

 

Evidently no spare driver to shift it, no failure.

 

York to Donny 32.4 miles in 33m 36s. Slowed 3 miles out. Moving Average 63 before slowing. 25 miles at 71-76. Waiting Nr. Aldwarke Jn. Arr 15 early.

 

Train Manager told it was failed with brake issues.

 

My version came from station staff, also we didn't see any maintenance jackets in attendance, how about you ?

 

Shame about the 11 minute delay departing York; I was at the Askham Bar P & R to watch her go past - that few minutes was the difference between lovely evening light and gathering gloom . She looked and sounded good though

 

Thanks Mark, you've just confirmed my decision to go home was right!

 

Tornado meets Billy Beam

 

It was a curious incident. There were passengers on the train but when the driver fired the electric up there appeared to be a problem. The doors were opened and all passengers were told to join the 1555 on P2. The driver did leave the cab of the electric later but it was fired up from the DVT but again it was switched off a few minutes later. Two station staff, who were not at all helpful, said brusquely there was a problem with the train and it would be moved eventually. They didn't care about the Charter Train at all and would not allow it to use P4 as the train was too long; so we were going to have to wait until the train was moved. As you no doubt saw, a driver did turn up and took it out of the platform for Tornado to bring the train in. No maintenance men were in evidence and I must admit to being surprised they moved a train with braking issues under it's own power, and didn't utilise the Thunderbird. Typical of Virgin communication and management. Even more weird is that RTT showed the train departing from P3 for the Cross at 1609. A true 'What's Going On' incident!!!

 

Bravo!! Lets just hope that this is but a glimpse of the bright future that awaits Tornado's 90mph forays on the ECML in (April and July) 2018 - in terms of both the level of sustained performance and just as importantly in terms of the quality of the path that will make such performances possible.

 

Yes the run from outside Newcastle all the way to York was really sparkling - a credit to the crew and loco, but also to NR who gave us a clear path all the way, holding at least one train until we passed.

 

Moorthorpe yesterday...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/23704213118/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/23704186328/in/dateposted-public/

 

The fast line was indeed a nice surprise; indeed it was such a surprise that it took a while for me to notice! I blame chatting to the occupants of my part of the carriage and the beer...

For which Durham has some great pubs; the stand-out for me was the Victoria. The early arrival at Chesterfield was much appreciated, as I hadn't eaten anything substantial since breakfast.

So whilst Dronfield was dropped from the menu, the fact that things were pulled out of the hat in adverse circumstances made up for it. In fact, it was a real sign of continuing confidence in the locomotive's capabilities.

 

Ahhh......Tornado, the gift that keeps on giving!!!