TORBAY EXPRESS 2011 Season

Tornado to Torbay 17 July 2011

The A1 4-6-2 No 60163 Tornado has the charge of the July excursions of the Torbay Express and I enjoyed an excellent journey with them despite my late booking. An additional pleasure was the sight at Bristol Temple Meads of 4-6-0 No 5029 Nunney Castle, heading the same day's RTC excursion to Weymouth.

Tornado departed smartly from Bristol, reaching 75 before Yatton. After the Weston Super Mare stop, we were back in the seventies before Bridgwater and continued around the maximum until slowing for the Taunton stop. The climb to Whiteball was less impressive and we entered the tunnel at only 46 mph, but we flew down the hill for mile after mile until being stopped at Cowley Bridge Junction. After Exeter we were again up to 75 by Exminster but our run along the sea wall was in the sixties. We climbed smartly from Aller Junction and went over the top at Torre at 44 mph. On transferring to the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway we again climbed smartly from Goodrington to Churston at the line speed of 25 mph before dropping to the terminus at Kingswear.

During the break, I enjoyed a rousing return trip to Paignton with No 7827 Lydham Manor, resplendent in sparkling BR lined black. On the return run with Tornado, the climbs to Churston and Torre were more measured, after an afternoon of heavy showers. But back on the main line, we tore along up the Exe estuary in the seventies, and later the climb of Whiteball saw our 71 at Tiverton reduced only to 63 at the tunnel entrance. More fast running to Taunton and beyond was capped by a brisk run for home, with a minimum up to Flax Bourton of 69 mph, a fine end to an excellent day out.

See 20 photos at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p466612866

Peter on a cool damp July afternoon in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

So would you prefer us to stop sending updates or news of a particular railtour? This would prevent
members checking the progress of a train from the comfort of their homes. It's up to you Martin. <BJ>

 

Luckerley todays trip was cancelled as there was a fatality at Highbridge this morning around 09-30 a north bound xcountry was involved

 

Another Torbay Express casualty. The 14th August run with the King is CANCELLED.

Thanks to uksteam for the update. <BJ>

 

Is this the sign of the Weymouths beginning to bite or is it a case of lack of motive power?

 

We have taken to Weymouth runs in place of Torbays, much more credit crunch friendly!

 

I understand last Sunday's one (24th) was pretty well booked up.

 

24th didn't run - I guess you mean the one the week before?

 

No, I meant to say the 24th one was pretty well booked up before it was cancelled.

http://railways.national-preservation.com/showthread.php/27211-TORBAY-EXPRESS-2011-Season/page19

Post #189.

 

Thanks for confirmation.

 

Evening Gents

Bit late on this I know but managed to grab a few photos of the train two Sundays back at Taunton (there are also a few WSR photos uploaded to the site)

6 photos starting at http://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com...urs-in-2011/16168744_xFgiK#1387351598_qCHKrDp

Cheers

 

The TE on 14th August was pulled after the late cancellation of a large block booking, as I understand.
6024 will now do the 7th August Torbay Express instead.

David

 

Not that late, still over a fortnight to go. Must of been almost a full train load or something.

 

Many thanks for the report, sound like a very good run. 46 at Whiteball tunnel (Westbound) is very creditable, most TE runs are low 40's or high 30's. 63 mph on the return is also a very good speed.

 

Interesting (to me anyway) to see that as of yesterday morning (Wednesday) Tornado has been sat on Barton Hill in at least light steam. Now I think I understand that boilers have so many "days" and a "day" starts when the pressure goes above a certain level and ends when it drops below, so in some senses keeping Tornado in steam from arrival (presumably on Tuesday - or was it just in a shed and pulled out?) minimises boiler stress, but it must go through a fair old amount of coal just sitting there doing nothing - if they keep that up until Sunday that will have been 4 days in steam. Or am I showing my ignorance again?

(NB this isn't a criticism just curious!)

 

I would imagine the cost of the coal is good insurance against the cost of boiler repairs like those this past winter.

 

Agreed. If it were mine. I think I would keep it 'warm' if it was to be working every weekend for a season.

 

Even with a big grate like an A1 I wouldn't think she'd burn a huge amount of coal to keep the boiler 'warm' (whatever that definition may be) over a couple of days.

 

All the posts today appear to be about Tangmere's run to Weymouth. Is the novelty of Tornado diminishing? <BJ>

 

this morning's departure from Bristol.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/sets/72157627323511014/