Tornado

Exactly!

 

More here

http://railways.national-preservation.com/showthread.php/31324-60163-Loaded-Test-Run-8th-June-2011

 

This is from the photography section Ralph (unless i missed something)

 

I'd just like to post my thanks on behalf of the Didcot crew for a magic day operating Tornado yesterday,... especially to Graham, Jon, Ellie & Mark, the nicest bunch of guys (& gal) you could ever meet. We could all learn something in the way the A1 trust operate and present themselves.
Thanks again.

 

Tornado at Didcot 11 June 2011

On its way south to begin its 2011 programme of mainline tours, A1 4-6-2 No 60163 Tornado stopped over for a few days at Didcot Railway Centre. On Saturday 11 June, covenantors to the A1 Trust were welcomed to see Tornado in steam.
The welcome sunshine was unfortunately in the wrong place for the demonstration line during my short visit, but a few photographs make a record of the occasion.

10 photos at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com . Click on each picture for a larger version or, for a larger one still, PM me

Peter, on a wet Sunday afternoon back in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/

 

I think all of us at Didcot yesterday had an absolutely wonderful time. The footplate crew on Tornado were very welcoming and helpful, the steam railmotor was a complete revelation (even with a whistle that had a mind of its own!) and Fire Fly looked gorgeous. Didcot remains unique in its apparently casual attitude to the crowds mixing with steam engines which allows the public unprecedented access to its exhibits. The range and depth of "new builds", "retro conversions" and good ol' fashioned restorations will ensure the place keeps making the headlines for years to come. Thanks again to K, K (aka "Junior") and R, you know who you are!

Foxy

 

A few snaps from yesterday's excellent event at Didcot. Many thanks to all involved, even the rain held off, and the flying display by the three Red Kites was an added bonus!

 

A few more shots are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steam60163/sets/72157626106980239/detail/

Cracking day....

Cheers,
Alisdair

 

Nice shots Sheff.

Just got back from a rather quiet (except for a coach load of Italian Tourists) and rain soaked Didcot.

She does look stunning - bring on the Express Blue!

 

On behalf of the A1 Trust, can I say a big thank you for the wonderfully warm (and sunny) welcome the Didcot team gave us and our Covenantors yesterday. We always enjoy bringing Tornado to this part of Oxfordshire and hope it won't be long before we're back again. Thank you also to everyone who has posted photos - it is so good to have the engine back in steam and looking fabulous (ok so I'm a little biased!).

Alexa Stott
Covenantor Care Director
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust

 

Red Kites apart, after putting Tornado to bed and sharing a pint or two with the A1 guys, we were treated to another "Red" display,... this time 7 Red Arrows flying over Didcot. Shame they were just too darn fast to get the camera out! Perfect end to a perfect day!

 

7? were the other 2 lost?

 

Well, nine took part in the trooping of the colour, maybe Pannier Man had enjoyed more than two pints! <vbg> The A1 website now has a gallery up of Didcot photos:

http://www.a1steam.com/index.php?op...idcot-railway-centre&catid=61:2011&Itemid=253

Foxy

 

What can I say,... 7? 9? all I know is the Black Python ran out of beer ;-(

Tornado looks quite presentable now, especially with choc and cream coaches.
(Runs away and hides in Didcot's air raid shelter)

 

My case rests, your honour!

Foxy (ignoring the obvious jibe at East Coast locos - or maybe I ought to find a "bunker-buster" for the shelter, maybe not where the A1SLT is concerned! <vbg>)

 

Apparently casual attitude but none the less difficult to pull off!!

 

It's a fine line we tread between working museum and operating railway. It takes several shunters and other volunteers manning the walkways to allow 164 tons of locomotive to rumble carefully through the site amongst the crouds, but something that gives a true impression of what a loco such as Tornado is really like other than viewed from a distance or from the platform.

This is the second time I've been lucky enough to drive Tornado and believe me, its impressive with your hand on the regulator let alone being near it. But without my trust in the guys on the ground, we would never be able to do what is unique to Didcot and let the public get that close.

Hope to see this unique Loco in our unique setting again soon. Good luck guys.

 

My point exactly. Didcot achieves a balance between safety and access that many museums could emulate. The "apparently" easy-going way hides sensible precautions and ever-vigilant staff who avoid being officious while protecting the public (mainly from themselves!).... this enables people to stand within a few feet of a (slow) moving, 164 ton loco and feel the earth move and hear the rails groan as it proceeds past them - awesome!

Full marks to Didcot for persevering with this sensible policy and not caving in to the "health & safety" jobsworths.

Foxy