Tornado

Indeed, also assuming the exact current whereabouts of the rest of the loco are known. I do hope someone with deep pockets (and a penchant for boiler construction!) takes pity on this example of what, by all accounts, is an extremely effective class, quite well suited to heritage operations.

 

I think it was relayed on here earlier this year that the loco (what remains of it) is now at the Lincolnshire Wolds railway.


Keith

 

A few photos on Facebook from a couple of days ago of a tender-less Tornado strapped to a low loader being taken off for winter storage and maintenance. Some links here for Facebook users: https://www.facebook.com/1626386805...36561.162638680551751/948910358591242/?type=3
https://www.facebook.com/1626386805...36561.162638680551751/948898011925810/?type=3
https://www.facebook.com/1626386805...36561.162638680551751/948897535259191/?type=3

 

...another railtour added to next year's diary, 'The Bard of Avon', Manchester (yes, Manchester!) to Stratford-upon-Avon:

https://www.a1steam.com/2017/12/08/the-bard-of-avon/

Foxy

 

....plus yet another two for August 2018 now announced, but this time promoted by Pathfinder, not by A1 SLT.
http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/in...ons-for-august-2018-now-open-for-booking.html

Saturday 11th August - Tornado leg Crewe -Upperby Curve-Appleby-Crewe "clockwise"
http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/in.../events/settle-carlisle-golden-express-i.html

....and Wednesday 15th August - Tornado leg Crewe-Farington Jc-Appleby-Upperby Curve-WCML-Crewe 2" anti-clockwise"
http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/in...ts/settle-carlisle-golden-express-ii.506.html

These new tours were revealed over the last few days via a thread entitled "Pathfinder 2018" over on the "Whats Going On" forum. I mention it here just in case you missed it. And just to note that the clockwise tour recreates the original "Cumbrian Fells Express" that operated on 3oth May 2015 and which was originally planned to have been Tornado's relaunch into traffic after its 2014/ 2015 overhaul. Tornado wasn't quite ready (by about two weeks, I think), but super-sub 70000 Britannia deputised and delivered a series of exhilarating 7P performances that will live long in the memory......so good, in fact, that Tornado's no-show hardly seemed to matter on the day.

 

Wonder if the first mentioned will be preceded or followed south by a train hauled by a pair of black fives ........ ?

 

Interesting that Tornado will be doing this on the 50th Anniversary date of 1T57.

I was kind of expecting something to happen on this date, but not in the shape of Tornado as the motive power. Likely there will be more than one tour over the S&C that day.

 

Symbolically it would be quite fitting for a 'memorial' train to be followed by a one hauled by the latest loco built, marking 50 years of progress.

 

Well yes, but you can't beat a black five (or two) right??

 

My two worlds are coliding - Autocar's Christmas Road Test features 60163. On sale tomorrow.

 

About 50 years ago Car magazine did a road test of Flying Scotsman.

 

Quite agree but whether two will be available and in the vicinity of the route in question is open to doubt I guess. One of the erstwhile protagonists is usually some distance north at that time of year.
Possibly 45231 & 45305?

 

Yes, will be interesting to see if anything gets planned with a "re-creation" format.

I guess two Riley 5's are likely to be at the Fort, so it's possible that 44871 (or one of the three) could be available. Someone mentioned to me the other day that 45407 moved south for the 2008 1T57 from Fort Bill, then went back up again straight away, so you never know.

No idea how far along 44932 is either. Maybe 70000 will be available as replacement for 70013?

 

Guess we will have to wait and see but seems a missed Christmas selling opportunity with nothing yet advertised.

 

Unsure how long it's been on there, but the RTC web site also lists a tour for 11/08/18 now, also going north over Shap and returning via the S&C. No mention of what the motive power will be on the steam legs, but it follows the standard Euston originating CME format.

 

Not on UK steam yet so not long at a guess.
Nice if its 70000 north and 45231/45305 south.

 

I believe the RTC run that Leander is doing the honours. No mention of double heading Black Fives

 

If they are aiming for load 12, a double header might be prudent .......

 

There's an update on the winter maintenance on the A1 website now:

https://www.a1steam.com/2018/01/12/january-winter-maintenance-update/

....including this interesting photo.....



Foxy

 

All very exciting. Yesterday’s talk at the LT Museum was illuminating. The V4 and V3 together would be something amazing.