Tornado

Had my first look at her today - an impressive machine.

 

It is obvious that the A1SLT also has all the light engine movemnts to consider when finding work for Tornado, these are increasingly expensive when the NR, DBS and support crew costs are considered. The A1SLT decided to be far more careful with these last year and they have a direct bearing on where and how work is timetabled, also the opportunity to slot in preserved railway visits are essential when planning routine maintenance - after all, she does lead rather a gipsy life!

In response the all the flack that has been flying in the last six months it is clear that the A1 Trust response is contained in the self same TCC guycarr360 referred to:

http://www.a1steam.com/images/stories/various/comcord/TCC23.pdf

Mmmmm........

Foxy

 

Recently been going through my "archive" of digital camera videos and found these two I took on a Fathers Day CE circular with 60163 back in June 2009 when Buriton Bank nearly proved to be too much for the mighty A1 as she had the equivalent load of 14 on. We were right at the front for this excellent run and the tense slog up the Bank.


Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coTkEZH7Qw8
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5-61EkLKto

Please note only my camera was out of the window.

 

Heart in mouth stuff! Some concerned support crew members visible too!

Peter Townend once told me that the A1's were considered to be at the limit when tractive effort and adhesive weight were calculated against each other and yet 60163 has proved to be surprisingly sure-footed when handled correctly. This footage really show how the effect of curvature dramatically increases the drag of a train on a bank....

Foxy

 

Great vids - shades of 'I think I can I think I can I think I can' there

 

A day or two after this trip the fireman came on here, held his hands up and said "sorry chaps, didn't get the fire prepared properly for the climb so performance suffered" or words similar. A search of the archives should find the message.

 

Arrived at WSR yesterday looking great and sporting a Help for Hero's head board. Good to see the steam movement being so supportive of Help for Hero's. Some photo's of her moving onto the Minehead branch on WSR.or.uk Should be a great day out on 8th October with the 40th Anniversary of the return of steam to the main line with 6024 and 60163 all for Help for Hero's.

 

Yes, I thought there was some discussion on this around the time of the trip.

Thanks folks for the comments on the videos.

 

I thought as much. I would have expected her to be blowing her proverbials off at that pace, when you consider her performances over Shap etc.

 

It was a rare experience as all the other runs I have had with 60163 have been rather spirited with plenty of steam to spare!

 

With all the flak that has been thrown around about the boiler, producing steam doesn't appear to be an issue! Indeed, the boiler inspector who gave it it's ticket described it as the best steam maker he had seen.

 

Just had a look back to 21st June 2009, and what I put on the forum, I was actualy the driver but swapped over roles with Butch just after Buriton. However we could (as I said then) had a better fire in her and it was Butch's first turn on her. The fire was also getting a bit sad by then. Having said that, we were not overly concerned on the footplate, she is a strong loco and did not at any time think we would not get over the top. Although we did not have her ramping at the seams, we were not down and out, still having over 200 psi in the boiler.
Since then I have had a storming run over Buriton with her, just under 40 at the top, mind you that was with a clean fire having started out fresh from Eastleigh (train started from Botley).
The work the A1 trust have done on the loco this spring has made her even more free steaming than before.
They've created a very fine machine.

 

Thanks for that Wayne. Good to hear an account from the "business" end of things!

 

Thanks for clearing that up. I remember you posting something but my recollection was a bit hazy.

 

Thanks Wayne. 200psi is enough and as long as the boiler hadn't been mortgaged all should have been well. There is a temptation to fill the box up with wide firebox locos, God knows why! Some of the clinkering that has been experienced with 60163 would not have helped by a deep fire and although keeping the back corners full is important (as is a horseshoe shaped fire) too much coal might impede the improved damper arrangement the Trust as fitted (which does seem to have reduced the clinkering issue). As ever, it's "horses for courses" and firing to the road is as important today as it always has. The A1's were designed to cope with crappy post-war coal, no wonder she thrives on the high calorie stuff (or is that therms or kilo-joules nowadays? :confused1

I'd just like to say how much we appreciate the input from folk like you on this forum. It is refreshing to hear the real story, not one based on hearsay!

Foxy

 

BTW, when was your last run out with 60163?

Foxy

 

Last run with her was a nice gentle jaunt down from Acton yard to the West Somerset Railway, with just the suport coach.
Its so much easier than having all those coaches to tow around!
Last full blown trip with her however was a Torbay on the 3rd July, when I was fireman.

 

Mmmm.... sometimes LE moves can be quite pleasant. Very useful for training new support crew members too.

Foxy

 

Good grief... Your saying that 60163 is steaming better than before?! And Tornado's performance before hand wasn't exactly bad either!

To be expected I suppose, they did say they made some modifications/improvements to the boiler, so I suppose it would result in giving the good side effect, of the boiler steaming better.

 

According to the news they released the loco has had its dampers improved to reduce the chance of clinkering and anything that increases airflow must be beneficial. Don't forget she also had a (stupidly controversial) re-bore which will have upped the horsepower as well!

Foxy