The Caledonian Tornado 21st September 2011

Cracking pics and videos so far heres my attempt as Tornado accelerates away from Blackrod at Douglas valley this morning

http://davidtomlinsonphotography.weebly.com/steam-railways.html

Dave

 

Thank you Pete , the weather changed very fast after 60163 passed sadly. Regards Steve

 

.....

 

Many thanks Pete.

Many thanks Mark.

 

Great pictures and videos despite the conditions. Has anyone else noticed though that she seems to be making a rather loud squeaking noise when working hard? It can be heard on the sequence on Beattock in SG Thomspsons video. I noticed it the other day when watching videos of the CE to Lincoln.

 

here's my footage from Bay Horse, Greenholme and Beattock. Well done to all other contributors.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpcuO6AV3Wo

 

So it wasnt the voices in my head that were squeaking!
Does anyone know the times for her move south the kidderminster tomorrow morning?

 

Passing through Clifton (ex-Junction) this morning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAJkGwsKmmE

 

Passing through Clifton (ex-Junction) this morning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAJkGwsKmmE

 

What a superb tour on the basis of the excellent stills and videos - thanks for sharing, everyone.

On song and pretty much on time through Penrith tonight at 21.56.

 

Tornado passed Hest Bank at 2255 on its way to Crewe.

Pic from this am here:

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16210594_LwMnqv#1490535735_2jXnZpn

Cheers

Andrew N

 

Good to see some other mad men out today - hope you've all dried out now - and some remarkable efforts (especially in the conditions) as usual.

My attempt is at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LzN9TzxMqg

Chris

 

A very well presented and very well delivered tour, but I don't envy the on board staff, in all disciplines, who's hours today go well beyond the call of duty.

If there were one or two points, I have eaten rarer steak than my rear end after a day in coach D - can someone at Riviera please look at the heating controls D5/D6 were just not funny and no on board staff could do anything to help. Frankly an offer for the unfortunate passengers who had to endure a day frying - from Riviera - would not go amiss.

The stock was turned with the loco so £99 got you no more than a distant view of the loco - down to operating convenience of course - but a major disappointment that we did not have the usual share and share.

For Ralph :- :bolt: :banplease:

And finally the slight delay caused by the attempted run through Lancaster that had to be retrieved by an emergency stop.

Nothing that can be laid at the promoter's door - Well done Hadyn - now to get some shut eye!

 

Ive added a few shots of Tornado last night at Preston and one at Farington jn in the morning at http://www.northwestrailphoto.co.uk/gallery/index.php?cat=0

 

Thats a cracking vid posted by Chris, 30910 late last night of the climb of Beattock in attrocious weather. Such a long time in view (well, through the rain !!) from obviously a great vantage point. Well done. Dried out yet ?? !!

 

Yes, some great shots from all concerned. Thanks for braving the elements, much appreciated. I'm a bit surprised that so many people shot from the east of the line at Scout Green and Beattock. I'd have sought a bit of shelter on the west side - by the monument at Shap Wells, for example. Greenhillstairs does give a panoramic view, but there's no escape from a westerly gale up there! Hey-ho, easy to be wise after the event.

 

As one of the hardy souls who braved Beattock (Greenhillstairs?) and was a few yards along from Chris, for a brief spell it actually stopped raining --but of course that was never going to last. The problem in that area is a lack of alternative spots for video. I know you can film from the west side almost at the summit, and there's reasonable shots to be had north of Crawford, but I didn't think there was anywhere with the same long shot as G.
Anyway, the weather on the drive home was far worse, especially around Scout Green; and there's Lizzie to look forward to up Beattock in November.

 

My two efforts from yesterday :


"The Caledonian Tornado" At Ravenstruther by JonathonAG, on Flickr


"The Caledonian Tornado" At Carluke by JonathonAG, on Flickr

Click for larger, high quality, photos.

 

As you may imagine I'm sure we all gave some thought to our selected position.

As always it was a compromise - when I parked up at both Scout Green and Beattock there was some sun making the eastern side firm favourite. A very strong wind from the west making the sound inaudible to the west and the hope that a working engine would throw the exhaust up high enough despite the wind (especially at Scout Green) again favoured the eastern side. It may have turned out better from t'other side (at least the rain wouldn't have been straight into the lens) - but then Shap Wells is some distance from the lineside and the view through the forecast heavy rain may not have been so hot.

The camera and I have both dried out, thanks royals pete, but could have done without the umbrella turning inside out the moment Tornado appeared in view on Beattock.

Most important thing (apart from the company) is that Tornado performed well and we managed to see more steam on the mainline some 50 years since we thought it was gone forever. How lucky are we? And hopefully those who couldn't get to see the sight (and those on the train) get some flavour of the spectacle from the photos and videos.

Chris