Tornado & the Belmond Pullman to Bristol. 11/05/2016

To early to tell yet Don, they are only just beginning to look at that one, crew wise.
The DBC company train is out the day before and I'm in the frame for that, so it may preclude me from the Scarborough trip.
And before anyone asks, I'm probably not allowed to give details on that one at the moment.
Not picked up the latest Heritage Railway yet, but will be.

 

We did have a visit from West Berkshire fire brigade who gave us a head start at topping up. But normal fire engines only have a fraction of the amount of water we require. I suppose several trips by them may have got us going but if they had received a call we would have been left.
I guess another plan may have been concocted. We used 2700 gallons of water getting to Bristol, we had 3000 in the tender on arrival at Newbury.
Whilst that may seem enough, it's too tight. Any delays and we're in trouble. Plus there are no water columns at the ends of the platforms at Bristol anymore, alas.

 

Tight, ?? Understatement I reckon !! Thanks Wayne, glad it all turned out ok.

 

Living in Reading I wish I knew! Been a regular occurrence lately.

 

RTT suggest a good run up Savernake, any details?
It was going some at Ascot, RTT suggests the 2 miles from Martins Heron were covered in 3/4 minute

 

Must add, we left Newbury with 4500 gallons, around 2000 less than max. 1800 gallons on arrival at BTM.
To top up the tender fully would have cost us time wise. In front of the Bedwyn stopper or behind!
I choose in front, with less, but ample water. Rather than more than enough water but 15 to 20 mins longer.
Prior to the tanker turning up we, support and footplate crews, had discussed minimum requirement and 4500 was decided as plenty.
Normally it would be full top up.

 

Our two chaps on the shovell had her on the mark (we had a trainee fireman with us). So we got her away quite smart ish.
Running around mid 60'S to Crofton, 25% cut off. Up to 30% up to Savernake from Crofton, 59 at the top.
Around 220 psi in the steam chest.

 

Excellent work.
How about the return up Savernake?

 

This might need to be moved to a separate thread, but the talk of Tornado being stuck at Newbury without a tanker there got me thinking.

Just say, for instance, that the tanker was trapped on the motorway when it was closed and the fire brigade couldn't provide any fire engines to top up the tender at that time, how long could Tornado have sat at Newbury for without water being taken? If there were 3,000 gallons left at Newbury when the train arrived, I'd have thought 3,000 gallons would last quite some time if the engine isn't using much water sat still (aside from keeping the boiler topped up) or am I underestimating how much water goes into the boiler when the injectors go on?

I'm asking this as someone with next to no knowledge on the subject, so what I've just said could be complete garbage!

Thanks to anyone who can answer it.
James

 

The departure from BTM was from pl 3 .( not as originally booked) A good crowd gathered to watch as 60163 drew away towards Bath blocking the station throat and looked absolutely magnificent with the immaculate train. 13 coaches was a sharp contrast to my short CC train - a packed Penzance voyager.
The crew were v friendly as they waited . Commuters were wanting to photograph the loco as did a large number of staff.
The BTP police were fairly relaxed as well

Thanks Wayne,Db,Belmond Pull and the A1 60163 support staff- fantastic show

Ray Mason

 

Al's correct, Graham Ward & Rob Binsted took the train back to London from Bath.

 

3000 gallons would have lasted us a very long time, most of the day. But if it was known that the tanker was NOT going to turn up a different plan would have been hatched. What that could be would be speculation, as there are so many variables. Some of these would be terminate there, diesel pilot from there, terminate at Westbury and forward by diesel from there. Other options could be a hydrant at a location that Network Rail would not normally let us use, emergency use. Although I'm not sure if there is any. Plus as the train was 'out of the way' at Newbury Racecourse, they might not have let us run. Then, of course, is chance it! Not a favourite of mine, but only if all concerned were happy. And that would include NR and our control.

 

Thanks for explaining Wayne.

James

 

Here's my short video of yesterday's run. Locations include: Savernake and Erlestoke.

 

The tanker guys have a pretty good delivery record. I recall an occasion a few years back when approaching Taunton water stop with a 'Torbay' we learned the tanker had just broken down on the M5. Plan B was a hydrant local to the station but low pressure was making platform occupancy too long for following traffic. Plan C was a call to the fire people who met up with us at Silk Mill Crossing. Their tender quickly filled our 4000 gallon tender and we were on our way IIRC about 40 mins down.

 

Out of interest, how does Tornado compare to Clan Line in terms capability with the Belmond?

 

They're very similar in capability. Although the smaller wheel on Clan Line will get the train away slightly quicker I feel.
But we are talking about two very powerful locos.

 

Thanks for your input and answers to our questions Wayne.

It's good to hear comments from the locomotive crew.

I feel that this is when National-Preservation is at it's best. <BJ>

 

Amazing. That is one hell of a climb and steam has stalled on there in the past (remember a Black 5 doing so a year or two back). Tornado is a master of the job!