Tornado

6024 hauled the royal train recently at the SVR !

 

From memory it ran with full "Royal" level security. I got questioned photographing the trail trip between Silvertown and North Woolwich a few days before the special working. The poor local plod was completly bemused by it all and had no idea what was happeningl....

Cheers, Neil

 

No chance, think of Thomas...

On a more serious note, I think Scotman still edges it, Tornado is still very new. Try mentioning the Flying Scotsman or Tornado to strangers and see how many instantly think of the steam engine in each case...

 

I was fortunate to be part of 4472's support crew [then led by Ray Towell (now at NRM)] in 1984 and made my way to Cambridgeshire. Earlier, on Saturday 10th November, it had headed "The Fenman" railtour from Manchester Victoria to Spalding and then made its way to be stabled at March Depot (RIP).
Loco and support coach were brought up to London on Saturday night 17th Nov. and we had just a few days to spend 'bulling up' 4472. It was here that the 'infamous' white painted roof was undertaken by famous railway photographer Geoff Silcock. According to him, apparently, all GER Stratford based locos had white roofs when on a 'Royal'. Incidentally, we were made very welcome indeed by staff and management at Stratford TMD (RIP). Incidentally, chevroned Buffers as well as White painted Vacuum and AWS Hoses set off the burnished paintwork.
Police went through the Pullmans, and our support coach, with a fine tooth comb. Then they (very politely) asked us to get the coal out of the tender so their sniffer dogs could check. We (also very politely) said no - but they could use our shovels to shift about 8 or 9 Tons as long as they agreed to shovel it all back. The police took our word, for some reason, that no-one had planted a bomb in there! The poor sniffer dogs were frightened to death of all the heat, boiling water leaks (cylinder drain cocks, etc) and the handlers couldn't easily get their dogs from the ground right up into the cab. They took our word that the loco was also 'clean'!!
The (unpublicised) test run on Monday 19th was very interesting - especially clearance checking through Connaught Tunnel [underneath the connection between Royal Albert and Royal Victoria Docks]. Two inspectors in bright white boiler suits, gas masks, goggles and hard hats rode on the front of the running plate, either side of the smokebox, when going VEEEERY SLOWLY through the tunnel. Apparently the clearance between chimney top and tunnel roof was less than an INCH (if memory serves me right) and it looked like the job would have to be caped. Our Driver, Stratford's Tony Gooding, said it would be OK however and told the fireman, Reggie Rowe, to carry more water in the boiler to weigh it down! Also the last footbridge, just outside North Woolwich station itself, had to have its smoke ducts removed as 4472 would have hit them! The faces of the East End public were also a 'picture' with many staring open mouthed at seeing "Flying Scotsman" going through Docklands - not only famous but such a large engine running along a line that had only ever seen small tank locos. A tatty Class 31 on the rear hauled us back to Stratford.
On Tuesday 20th November Her Majesty The Queen Mother boarded Pullman Car 351 at Stratford Low Level station for the short journey to open North Woolwich Old Station Museum. The special's headcode was 1G01 so not a "Royal" and no Royal Headcode [Four Lamps]. On arrival at Stratford she came forward and was invited up onto the footplate. After talking to Driver Gooding, Fireman Rowe and the Loco Inspector [apologies for forgetting his name] for some time Fireman Rowe then presented HM with a framed painting of 4472 by Arthur Gills [one of Temple Mills Goods guards].
I seem to recall one of Stratford's 47s was coupled to the rear, as no run round facilities existed, to tow us back to Stratford. HM returned to Clarence House by Royal limousine.
Wouldn't have missed the experience for the World!

Apologies for keeping off topic.

I'll get me coat .................

 

I agree Tornado is up there with Scotsman and Mallard.. but Flying Scotsman will bring the crowd back..However obviously the biggest day's out will be tours or evens involving both Tornado and Scotsman !

 

After her Royal Train sortie on Thursday, friday saw Tornado make for Hither Green on 5Z61 from Bescot, here she can be seen coasting effortlessly past Marston Green: http://david1984.fotopic.net/p63191948.html suprisingly few people seemingly aware of this move.

 

Pictures of 60163 at Museum of Science and Industry:

http://www.upmain.fotopic.net/p63303814.html

http://www.upmain.fotopic.net/p63303815.html

http://www.upmain.fotopic.net/p63303816.html

 

Lovely pictures of the visit and a nice picture of Planet as well.

Regards

Duncan

 

I have posted a couple of shots of Tornado on YouTube, taken on 7th Nov last year. They show her passing St Mary's Crossing, between Brimscombe and Chalford, and approaching Sapperton Tunnel. These are just a little taster for my latest DVD, which features 1 hour 15 minutes of Tornado, together with 25 minutes of Sir Nigel Gresley and Bittern. I'll update my website with more details later this week. And in case you are worried, the cameraman at Sapperton is behind the fence.

 

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

A very interesting video from E&T Magazine, which talks with Rob Morland from the trust about the A1 - including some interesting details on the electrical side such as future provision for ERTMS plus welcome news that they are still working on 90mph running. Worth a watch.

Chris

 

Reading SR Mag today. There could be a good chance that 60163 will go in to Brunswick green at the end of this year and fitting of a lipped chimney. How cool will that be to see her in BR green. Does anyone know why they are going to change the chimney for?

 

I prefer the BR Blue because its a rarer liviery and looks alot better.

 

I agree, was quite looking forward to her time in Blue.

 

BR Blue is planned also for this boiler ticket, so you won't be disappointed. You just need to be patient. 2012 maybe?

 

Some details about here visit to the Bluebell Railway are now online:
http://www.facebook.com/bluebellrai...ornado-and-furness-railway-20/108821269149259

 

Dont know the history in enough detail to say which chimney type is appropriate to which livery, but apparently the lipped chimney works better...

 

Must admit i hope the lipped chimney is back sooner rather than later, not as fussed about the livery, stovepipe chimneys are the work of Satan and no loco looks good with a 'drainpipe exhaust'.

 

I would like to see it in correct 1949 livery when the cab side numbers lined up with the tender lettering.

 

Not very picky then? Assuming there is anything wrong with the lettering, and I'm not aware there is, then I presume you'd be happy to foot the bill?

 

The A1 trust has now announced a visit of Tornado to the East Lancashire Railway between Saturday 23rd October and Sunday 31st October! http://www.a1steam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=148l