71000 DoG on the Lickey Incline

Monday 26th July "The Midland Tornado"

http://www.ukrailtours.com/tourshow.asp?tourtype=excursion_trains&tourfile=100726_THE_MIDLAND_TORNADO.txt :tongue:

Hopefully this will work out better than last time and actually run!

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

another run up the lickey incline. 3 steam tours in one year, this has got to be a record since steam had finished in 1960?

Il be out to see this hopefully, its a monday and i have to work, but an early finish could see me travel down to bromsgrove?

is it going to be banked or will tornado be powerful enough to handle the incline itself?

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

DBS CL 66 /67 due to be on the back as I asked UK Railtours when considering whether to book or not. Whether this diesel is going to be on the back for the entire steam section or just from Gloucester to the Birmingham area I do not know.

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

That is so sad, as surely the extra weight of the box will make banking essential? 35028 did take a 13 car train plus a non working box up the steep grade from a signal stop at Westbury in heavy rain and wind. (21st November last year). But that climb is 1/70 at steepest. And as we all know Lickey is almost as steep as 1/37.

And I was about to say that, from the wonderful videos posted here, Tornado is going to have to work very hard to beat the act put on by 46201 and the Pannier tank.

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

I guess really you have to compromise... If they use a diesel then the railtour promoter can sell more tickets at a cheaper price (which we would all like) or if they don't use a diesel the train is shorter and the tickets become more pricey.

I guess we can't have everything!

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

My one experience of steam up the Lickey was 6024 in December 2007. Sadly the 67 on the back did so much work that the King didn't even break into a sweat. A great disappointment to those who were hoping for some full bore Swindon thrash.

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

I was on that trip too. After a good run earlier in the day with 6024 the diesel gave a lot of assistance up the Lickey as there was a problem with the King. It was a bit of an anti-climax but better to be safe than sorry.

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

It is now The Midland Duke

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

I woulden't be too worried about the Diesel on the back, hopefully the driver will only call for 'rear end assistance' if the Duke is in danger of stalling, unless that point comes then let the steam loco do the work, some sensible handling would go a long way to pleasing those onboard.

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

On 6024's run in December '08 (07?) the plan arranged between the drivers was for the diesel and his majesty to work the train hard away from the water stop at Spetchley up to the 75mph max and then let the King handle the train up the Lickey until a minimum speed was reached and then the diesel would cut in. Sadly an indication that the lubrication system on the King was not operating properly (a false indication) resulted in a visit to Bromsgrove loops and the plan was lost. If this arrangement could be followed again it could prove very entertaining.

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

6136 is talking about precisely what i meant, assistance isn't needed until speed is down to about 10mph or so.

I'd be interested how far the Duke could get without assistance if it went through Bromsgrove at full speed, if it wasn't for that bloody flange greaser then Dainton could of been taken with the equivelant of 13 unassisted.

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

Is this steam hauled all the way back into Victoria?

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

Yes, according to UK railtours write up on the tour page for it.

Dave B

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

it will be load 9 (no box)there will be a water stop in Spetchley loop and it will not be released untill the Lickey is clear (no trespassing PLEASE)

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

I'm amazed that they're allowing an unassisted run. Wouldn't have been allowed in steam days. Even a special trip with a Blue Pullman set was required to have a banker. That said I think The Duke can certainly do it. I was on the run where we stalled on Dainton and it seemed we would have no difficulty until that flange lubricator. Dainton, while shorter, is at steepest 1/36 to the Lickey 1/37 and the constant reverse curves must add significantly to the drag.

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

And so say all of us. There was, however, a minor spat with the local landowner at Vigo. Let's all be on our best behavior please!!!!

 

Re: 60163 TORNADO on the Lickey Incline

Yes but the 1 in 36 on Dainton is only for a very short distance. The ease with which 71000 took the 1 in 42 on Hemerdon with 9 coaches the year before is a better guide.