60163: Paddington - Hereford. 24th November.

Freezing cold, pouring with rain, flooded fields, sheltering by the side of Moreton-on-Lugg signalbox, listening for "four bells" on the block instruments. Levers crashing in the frame, semaphore signals ( ok, they pull off the "wrong" way!) and "Tornado" sweeps round the gentle curve, chime whistle blowing, travelling well at speed. This location reminds me somewhat of Bawtry on the ECML where my grandfather used to take me as a small boy to watch a procession of Pacifics passing by.

The blue livery sits well on 60163.

Well done to the A1 people. Lovely sight, even on a filthy day. Fair brought a tear to my eyes it did, but then you get sentimental in old age....

 

Here's yet another clip of Tornado on YouTube, in similarly awful conditions to the others already posted. I've long been a fan of BR Express Passenger Blue, since Sir Nigel Gresley and Canadian Pacific were given the treatment in the 1990s. I'm now looking forward to seeing Tornado in decent sunlight.

If you are seeing a second link on the words "Nigel Gresley", it's nothing to do with me. It's some kind of ghost advertising added by the forum software

 

That's good to hear, though it'd be good to know the rationale that permitted Tornado through CS tunnel, but no other train.

She looks very good in "Express Blue" in my opinion, though might co-ordinate slightly better with an all maroon liveried carriage set.

 

Actually, I believe the correct carriage livery for the period is carmine & cream, aka Blood & Custard. And yes, it will look fantastic when paired with Riviera's Royal Scot set.

 

Hopefully on Thursday to Bath and Bristol ....you never know. <BJ>

 

Tornado looking very smart in blue, thumbs up!

 

Probably got something to do with a lack of Traction Motors between the wheels.I seem to remember 6024 was allowed to run when Cowley Bridge Junction was flooded some time ago and possibly at Flax Bourton too.
Colin.

 

D1015 & units with mechanical transmission would probably would be allowed through as well. Says a lot for all this modern junk!

 

She's running to Didcot E+C London Didcot and back tomorrow and the weather forecast looks OK

 

4 late off Shrewsbury on return

 

Looked great earlier at Hereford in the rain and a very enthusiastic restart with a couple of slips on wet rails. Britannia earlier was also looking good but had a much more restrained restart from her water stop. Tried to get a couple of photos but just too dark.

 

Tornado passing Leominster Signalbox in vile conditions: Leominster | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Reported earlier by Basingstoker. <BJ>

Sunday 25/11/12. 60163 "Tornado" is going to Didcot railway centre for a photo shoot in it's new blue livery.

DCR Grid 56312 + 60163 Tornado to work 5Z63 STP 08:26 Southall Loco Services Ltd to Didcot Great Western Society

 

5 minutes early at Bristol Parkway for water

 

Photos from Bishton: On the Slow Line | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
and Llanvihangel this morning: Storming Llanvihangel | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Didcot PW passed a few seconds early (21.56)

 

That's good, I was beginning to wonder if she was floating down the Severn Estuary given the lack of update for 2-3 hours.

 

Arrived Paddington on time

 

The Llanvihangle shot's rather good, especially given the conditions.

 

Details of the E+C moves are on UKsteam.info, too.