The Border Raider - 5 July 2014

Watering done at Barton many time before, tanker in a layby, hoses through hedge and up to track and since tender has bottom fill connection, under wires no problem, and since it's a DBS operated, very unlikely to water at Carnforth.

 

I agree. You can also begin to see a potential master plan working here. It's not likely that we would be able to get into the Barton loop early as we are up the tail of a service train as we pass Preston. But were the water stop to be a splash and dash (we are talking about Tornado here, after all) with no traffic on the WCML there is nothing to stop us getting away a bit early. Last time Tornado was on the Border Raider we ran from Carnforth (pass) to Carlisle in 60 min. To be at Carlisle ahead of the 0930 from Euston we would need to get through Carnforth by 1140 ish unless the Pendo is late.

This is all a long winded way of saying that parking us in the Carnforth loop is not very helpful if the A1 Trust were hoping to have a run at Grayrigg and Shap. So:
- if we can get away from Barton sharpish
- if the 0930 Pendo is late (10 minutes or so would do)
- if NR gives Tornado the benefit of the doubt

we might find ourselves missing out Carnforth. That would really be interesting.

 

I'd be surprised. There is nothing up Tornado's tail to warrant a loop at Barton other than to take water. But that's just me guessing.

 

Just spotted the times for the return of this.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50744/2014/07/05/advanced

It seems, bizarrely, we have to be looped twice en route to Preston!! There is no train following that would prevent us running nonstop unless Tornado has to take water before Preston. So as the eternal optimist I am assuming that this is Plan A just in case Tornado cannot get over Shap in a timely manner and through Oxenholme far enough ahead of the following Glasgow to Manchester service (that stops there) for us to keep ahead. If Tornado can run this leg in 90 minutes we would be there ahead of it. That explains why UKRT says that NR cannot find a path to get us back to Crewe with Tornado. 2 hours 20 minutes from Carlisle to Preston is an age, is it not? It's one of those times when you want a bit of Vintage Trains/FGW magic on board.

 

Tour de force from Tornado today. Grayrigg to Shap in 10 min 43 sec with min at each of 53 and 43. On the return a min of 55 up Shap with 59 at the top and that includes a TSR of 50 at Clifton. NR says no path to get Tornado with us to Crewe. If they say so it must be true. BRILLIANT DAY none the less.