Tornado

I went to see Tornado today and it looked stunning, and its not even finished!!!! Congratulations to everyone involved in the constriction of this fine machine. Its a real credit to them!!!!!! Pics soon to follow..

 

Was smoking well when I passed on the train about 4.10pm...wonder if I can pop across and have a look tomorrow during lunch...?

 

I have it from a strong source that the boiler test will take place on friday.

 

Plug for BigAid's pics - http://adriandennis136.photos.me.uk/p47729832.html

Brilliant!

 

Amazing, thankyou for those pictures

how long will it be before all the cladding is on etc and it is complete?

 

From the A1 website: ( http://www.a1steam.com/update.html )

"Visitors are welcome to view proceedings from Hopetown Lane but we regret that for safety reasons no visitors will be allowed into the works whilst work proceeds on the steam test.

The Works will however be open to visitors between 11-00am and 4-00pm this coming Saturday 12th January"



Is the works where it is being built connected to the mainline, or will it have to live else where once its finished and is hauling mainline trains?

 

The works is not mainline connected, the question was asked of railtrack, but proved to be horribly excessive.

I would assume it would live Down Sarf, chasing the money to pay its way.

Pity really, as after all of the effort and fundraising etcc.. we will not really get access to it, or get behind it, until it comes back to the north. However i can see the economic justification behind it.

More importantly, when Tornado is finished, what next. Thinking out loud, why not use the expertise on site to overhaul A2 blue peter. That would allow the trust to earn some £££'s and they obviously have LNER pacific experience.

 

Wonderful news! Well done to all involved with this historic loco.

 

Should we be standing by for another Steam Railway 'Exclusive'?

 

Sorry to be pedantic, but how can the loco be historic when it is brand new?

The design is the only thing that could be classed as historic!

Keith

 

Its is historic in the way it was funded and built none of the A1s were built for the reasons Tornado was built

And the same goes for any other new build they all have a story to tell right from the day that the idea was thought up

Thats my view

 

First mainline British Steam engine to be constructed this side of the millennium. First completely new standard gauge mainline pacific to be constructed since Duke of Gloucester. The list goes on and on but it is quite a achievement for it to get this far.

 

The NYMR are overhauling Blue Peter after a deal was struck with the owners family. The NYMR are experienced enough with loco's including BP so they will do a grand job as always.

Alex

 

If you read the text of the press release, it says that the job is to be fast tracked, and that an off site overhaul is envisaged. The release also confirms that the NYMR have enough on their plate and could not have the A2 ready for 2009.

 

It will be historic in the future Keith!!! Sorry perhaps I should have said "Landmark" loco.
Still it's bloody good news!

 

The A1 trust have said they have plans of what they will do with their time once 60163 is completed. However it was also said they would not confirm anything until 60163 was run in and out earning money, which you cannot blame them.

It has taken a lot of hard work and well done to the guys who have stuck with it and brought us this latest steam loco to see performing. I myself am looking forward to seeing her for the first time.

 

Latest Railway Herald has a pic of the loco being steam tested.

 

What's the latest news on the steam test? I tried to look at the Railway Herald site and it locked up my PC part way through the download. The latest on the A1 trust site is the initial lighting of the fire.

Thanks, Neil.

 

total has shrunk down to £27k which is rather good, it went down about 5k a month before xmas but has gone down alot since the 55k last reported.
=D>

 

Cheers Ian,

I was at Darlington today and the test went perfectly to plan. The moment the valves lifted was another 'moist eye' occassion. There's been a lot of that in Darlington this week - never seen so many grown men have to "go and make a cup of tea".

7/10 years and ticking - happy days, and well done to a great group.

SR made a contribution to the day by donating a significant figure to the fund and then having the smoke deflectors and lights put on the front... it looked the part as Mr Bunker clagged up the skies above Hopetown Lane.

Read all about it next issue, and as far as the printed press is concerned it is exclusive and I will bill it as such. The other mags have gone to press with the fire being lit and that's it. We came back and went the extra mile to get our readers something a bit special.

Fair enough really.