Tornado

From the NVR fb page.
2 places left of the driving experience days.
Plenty of Bank Holiday weekend rover tickets available.

 

Edit : this is not a recommendation to buy.

 

No, they haven't.

 

That's good because this is what I see

 

If you click the blue ‘Timetable’ link you will get this screen.



Though no booking link.

On the ticket site I see this ….

 

I saw this pop up today

 

Where it says "Awaiting a boiler test over the next week or so before it can commence running in." (My emphasis.)
Nuff said?

 

Looks like we are seeing the same pattern of behaviour again - I wonder who they will blame this time?

When will someone at the top of the trust take responsibility for the debacle over the past three years and do the right thing?

 

According to FB they plan to move early next week but hasn't even gone down the line yet for a test run

 

Considering it spent a long time in the yard at Wansford after it shed its motion on the "Ebor Flyer" and I saw people from the A1SLT there on numerous occasions repairing it (including the late David Elliott)...

 

I would not be surprised if it moves to NVR before its even turned a wheel, then be tested on NVR The trust knew time would be short, so why didn't they move the engine to the NVR in the first place, to carry out the main line equipment tests , the boiler insurance tests the NVR has air braked stock, and a mainline connection, so would make more sense, as the engine could have been tested on air, as well as vacuum braked stock, Again, lack of foresight from the inhabitants of the board room of the A1 trust .

 

To play a bit of devil's advocate here, say (as seems quite possible) Tornado doesn't make it's booked turn at the Nene Valley. Imagine you are somebody who booked to travel behind Tornado, get told it's not available, but turn up anyway. What's going to be more frustrating - it not being there at all, or it sitting in the yard in plain view but for you to be told "Oh yeah it's here but it's not quite ready yet"? Admittedly different people might give a different answer but I would imagine it might be slightly easier to stomach the loco not running if it's not there at all

 

Could be something to do with the GCR being able to run trains up to 60 mph, the NVR can't, I don't think the availability of airbraked stock is relevant. No point is speculating, it didn't go and that's it.

 

Speaking of frustration, what if you’re one of those who has paid ££595 for a driver experience course, which were due on the 20-22nd next week and you’d booked time off work, possibly hotels etc too, only to have to rearrange for a fortnight later and now facing a possible cancellation? Some may even have booked on the two previously advertised visits.

 

Here’s my take on the current situation.

I suspect that there is about to be another u-turn and cancellation of the NVR visit with [insert latest excuse] to blame. My guess is that this will be announced next week. The ongoing issue with the fit of the overhauled boiler and the gap between this and the turned down new driving wheel tyres (costing 3 years of use) may well be one of the issues plus a long snagging list after leaving LMS. I suspect Tornado has still not approved for running on the GCR - or anywhere else - never mind NetworkRail.

The clock is ticking on its only advertised main line tour this year on 21 Sept. Do they even have an operator, rolling stock or even a spec submitted - if they have, then why hasn’t it been announced to provide some confidence to those wanting to book? There is nothing listed on railtourinfo.co.uk. Again, I suspect this will be cancelled at short notice with [insert another excuse] to blame.

When will those responsible for the running of the trust be open and honest with their covenantors, passengers, industry partners and other supporters with communications which are not last minute, take some responsibility and demonstrate that they aren’t going to repeat this cycle of failure?

How much more over promising and under delivering does it take for the Trust’s leadership to take a long hard look at itself and do the decent thing?

As Tony Benn once said “what power have you got? Where did you get it from? In whose interests do you exercise it? To whom are you accountable? And how can we get rid of you.” As a long standing covenantor these questions are now very front of mind.

To quote Cromwell, "You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go."

 

It looks like it's in virtually the same spot, but the wheels have moved a fraction in the last couple of days.

 

Agreed from photos on their FB page.