Tornado

Seems to be a popular thing to do at the mo do the boiler at the intermdiate I think 43106 had a new boiler ticket at its intermdiate I think the idea is regular and often maintenance rather than run it all the way through its ticket and have a knacker at the end of it.

 

Makes sense to me.

 

And Me Look at the work a certain WD 2-10-0 needs after racking up the miles during its last ticket

 

website update:

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is disappointed to announce that Tornado's return to service following her first intermediate overhaul will be postponed. This delay is due to the unfortunate combination of a number of different problems discovered during the overhaul, the rectification of which is not possible in time for the locomotive's planned return to service.
Boiler: The boiler was sent to DB Meiningen in October 2014 with an expectation of it being completed by the end of February 2015. Some additional work was identified including changing some flexible firebox stays, and the replacement of flue tubes. In addition staff shortages due to illness resulted in the boiler not arriving in Darlington until 21st April 2015.
Roller bearings - 1: During inspection of the roller bearings which forms part of the overhaul, a Timken service engineer identified problems with both crank axle bearings and one bearing on each bogie wheelset. Replacements and repairs were put in hand, and with the help of Timken and their new subsidiary Revolvo we were able to bring forward the initial delivery date from October 2015. However, additional problems with the forged rings for the new bearings for the crank axle meant that delivery was further delayed until 22nd April. South Devon Railway Engineering which had been contracted to change the bearings responded quickly and returned the crank axle wheelset to Darlington on 29th April.
Roller bearings – 2: Despite previous inspection by Timken, a problem was identified with trailing coupled axle bearings when preparing to re-wheel the locomotive on 29th April . Thanks to the recent delivery of similar bearings for No. 2007 Prince of Wales and excellent cooperation from South Devon Railway Engineering, the wheeslet and new bearings were dispatched there immediately with an expected return to Darlington around 19th May. Replacements for the class P2 bearings have been ordered and this will not impact the programme to build No. 2007 Prince of Wales.
However, the additional work means that Tornado's loaded test run has been postponed from 25th May to w/b 8th June and alternative arrangements have been made for No. 60163's first three planned main line trains – 30th May 'The Cumbrian Fells Express' for Pathfinder Tours (now to run with No. 70000 Britannia), 2nd June 'The White Rose' for A1SLT but booked through UK Railtours to be re-dated, date to be confirmed, (we tried multiple alternative motive power options but couldn't get any to work) and 4th June The Railway Children charity fundraising train (now to run with No. 35028 Clan Line).
David Elliott, Director of Engineering, A1SLT, commented:
"Tornado's engineering team is hugely disappointed not to be able to deliver the locomotive back into traffic on schedule. We are now working around the clock to complete her first overhaul as soon as possible and apologise for any inconvenience caused."
Graeme Bunker, Operations Director, A1SLT, added:
"We are very sorry to have let down our customers, passengers and supporters by not completing Tornado's intermediate overhaul in time to meet her first commitments of the year. However, we are looking forward to an exciting 2015 season, with Tornado back on the main line and resplendent in her glorious apple green livery.
"It is expected that No. 60163 Tornado's loaded test run will now take place w/c 8th June 2015 and will then take up rail tour duties across the UK. We have been approached by various parties to hire the locomotive and will be confirming exact dates in the next few weeks. Our website www.a1steam.com will as always have all the details."
We are also pleased to announce that for the first time in four years Tornado will be rostered on 'The Torbay Express', hauling trains on Sunday 12th July, 26th July and 8th August from Bristol to Kingswear.

 

Could I ask how many miles the loco has run, please? One of the advantages claimed for roller bearings is the high mileages before repairs become necessary and I'm a bit surprised to hear of faults developing with so many of those one this loco. Is there an identifiable reason, does anyone know?

 

A further change of plan then for the Cumbrian Fells Express. Only a week or so ago, Pathfinder replied to my email asking about a plan B with an assurance that if Tornado was unavailable then Union of South Africa, which was already at Crewe, would do the honours.

Looks like we are on Plan C now

 

Think 60009 is also in a similar state of not quite in one piece still.

 

Yes. I'm sure the A1 Trust will make known the details of the wear problem once time etc permits.

 

Ah, 'Problems we're identified...., no mention of wear related problems and given the life expectency of this arrangement any indication of 'wear' would be most irregular. How very interesting.

 

Tornado to work 4 trains for Abellio ScotRail 20th to 27th June.

 

True, they were my words not the Trust's. Didn't mean to start any hares running.

 

60009 was up in the air last week between the breakdown crane and a road crane , so presumably is now back on its wheels - does it not have its own thread?

 

A quick search revealed ....... https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/60009.422041/#post-1054641

 

Any news as to the test run taking place?

 

Final assembly and paintwork going on at the mo ............. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3034685719/

 

Supergloss Bigbuff....

 

However "You must log in to continue." Implying that whoever posted the information on Facebook is happy for some of us to be unable to see it.

 

Agreed. Possibly using some top secret painting technique which they don't want the world to see yet.

 

Stick two fingers up to Faceache and see the photos here

https://twitter.com/60163_Tornado