St David's Day Cathedrals Express

Tornado is due to visit Swansea tomorrow..... I hope to catch it climbing Skewen bank..... Is anyone else out there travelling or photting this one?

 

I hope to be out and about in the Didcot area but then I'll be off home to do some work.

 

Frost and fog in Bristol area gradually clearing. Local weather forecast predicts clear blue skies for the remainder of the day !! <BJ>

 

May pop into Swansea station before going to an MA seminar.

 

Left London on time

 

Reported "Tornado away from Slough 1008 en route Victoria-Swansea. Rag bag of coach liveries"

 

Just crossed from Relief to Main at Tilehurst a few minutes down. Great chime and chat. Beautiful sight!

 

On time coming out of Sonning Cutting & heard the Whistle in the distance when leaving Reading Station on time.
As Bill R said a Rag Bag of coach liveries !

 

Running well past Callow Hill, still on time.

 

Seven minutes late through Severn Tunnel Junction. Passed through slowly due to red light.

 

A little late leaving Cardiff Central, but ahead of the stopper (13:14) and the HST (late running 12:48) thankfully

Hope to catch her again through Pontyclun on my way home.

Photos up later

 

12 coaches today. A few odd coaches but in my opinion an A1 with green Mk.2 coaches would have looked far worse.
The train sounded superb accelerating away from Westerleigh Jct. after slowing for a little Cross Country voyager
that was allowed off the 'Midland' in front of Tornado .....disgusting. Thankfully the fog had disappeared. <BJ>

 

On time or maybe a couple of minutes early at Skewen, working hard

 

Looked good at Callow Hill. Shame about the mix of carriage liveries but in the big scheme of things it's not really worth getting worked up over!

 

As a photter if you don't like the coaches livery then black n white or photoshop is your friend, more concerning is the image a rag tag set presents to Joe Public.

 

As long as they are in good external condition I would argue that the livery of the stock is of far less importance to the passengers than the internal decor, cleanliness, comfort and service.

 

Reported through Pyle, Bridgend right time at 18:02. <BJ>

 

While there is a valid argument that the inside of charter coaches is as important, if not, more than the exterior i think when it comes to Tornado more emphasis should've been placed on what would be many people's first impressions of mainline steam. I read many mentions around the net about how people were surprised by how old the rest of the train looked, and they didnt mean that in a complimentary way!

In my opinion, rather than raise money for a P2 perhaps the A1ST should help sponsor a dedicated set of Mk1's...

Chris

 

Cholsey this morning...... http://50031.fotopic.net/p63525268.html