Tornado

We'll take anything, it's Alycidon on the return leg. That should gallop down the ECML at a decent lick.
If Tornado doesn't make it.........sure, we'll be disappointed but..........

 

That's not, strictly speaking, true. There are several key detail differences. This photograph below of Alcazar probably best represents what 60163 should have looked like as a Darlington built A1. Note the smokebox door numberplate's location, the stovepipe chimney and the tender lining out, which is different to what Tornado actually carries in many details - a Doncaster job (as per 60114 but minus the curly sixes, as per 60136).



I'd love to see Tornado in the above form (at least once) - it doesn't make a huge difference to her overall look and as such wouldn't make her unrecognisable.

 

I suppose as 60162 was built at Doncaster it should carry Doncaster livery. Darlington would have painted the cylinder covers green.

 

Except as you can clearly see from 60136 above (Darlington built) they didn't...

 

Think green cylinder covers would look odd with such a long smoke box. Didn't Tornado briefly carry the stovepipe... and it was found to be detrimental to smokelifting...?

 

She did....

 

Video been posted online of Tornado being moved up and down yard to test valve gear operation.
A comment also says, that the inspectors are being pedantic, requesting further examination of valve rings etc...
That is delaying testing, with it now expected for first week in September.

As usual don't shoot the messenger, just quoting from elsewhere for your info.

 

I think I found said video on the Trusts Facebook page but I think it depends who made the comment on the "pedantic inspectors". If it was someone from the trust then I think they should be careful of saying things like that to the public considering the inspectors have to inspect Tornado and sign it off before testing can take place. Remember, it's not under the personal licence of the person who made the comment or the A1 Trust, it runs under the licence of the operator, DB in this instance so it has to be right bearing in mind the loco smashed itself up and the knock on effects it's caused.

 

If you read the posts, it is second hand info.

 

I did read all the posts, and didn't really pay much attention to them if I'm honest as it was just the usual internet jargon.

 

Boy! Facebook generates as much froth as NatPres does sometimes! The locomotive was being moved for weighing, that's all. Sure as heck no-one was being 'pedantic' knowing the urgency of getting her back into traffic.....

Foxy

 

I would suggest far more froth than NatPres. Facebooks glory days are well behind it.

 

Nowt wrong with that stovepipe. Looks fabulous.

It's funny how some individuals - and I mean this generally across the internet - fear the worst, and spread stuff, mostly half formed thoughts and vague memories of conversations. Tornado isn't alone in this trend, I doubt we will ever get to a point where hearsay doesn't form part of our daily lives, but it is to our movement's detriment.

A friend has sent me some pics of Tornado from his time in Peterborough - I'm happy with the progress as I am sure we all are (those of us, like me, who watch on the sidelines).

I've been accused of being an apologist for the trust previously - maybe I am - but it is hard not to feel heartened by the hard work and determination of others. It's inspiring.

 

Would they be in the closing stages of putting the loco back together ready for running in if they had not completed all the investigations of what went wrong, what were the contributory causes, what are the lessons for the future operation and maintenance of Tornado, and what if any are the lessons for the future operation and maintenance of other steam locos? And yet no conclusions from those investigations have been made public since some preliminary ones fairly early on. The only recent new information (and that only as hearsay) has been that any return to 90 mph running has been deferred further, to 2020 at the earliest.

 

Whatever and whenever, it will be good to see the locomotive back in revenue earning service. I saw her when she was fairly new, on a Torbay Express charter. Maybe she will do more TE trips in the future. Regarding chimneys, I thought her chimney was insignificant in appearance, but that of course is seen with Great Western eyes.

 

A good few people gathered around Tornado today at the NVR (which is exceedingly busy, I might add). You might recognise David Elliot at the left.

 

I'd be very surprised if anyone on this forum has never seen it, but just in case.

The Top Gear London to Edinburgh 'race' involving Tornado is being shown again this afternoon,
3pm on Dave, which is channel 111 on my SkyPlus. And thereafter on catch-up.

I've seen it loads of times but always find it very enjoyable.

Stef.

 

Thank you for the info. Just left Grantham !!

 

Oh well there goes my "new start" for this semester! Always a great watch, probably my favourite top gear episode.