The Talisman 6th May

60163 'Tornado' at St Neots on the down fast with "The Talisman", kudos to the crew for a staggering run making up 33 minutes from Peterborough to London on tight timings

 

At Newark for the return, the water tanker received two punctures whilst trying to access the yard. Unable to fill to the full amount more water was required elsewhere for the journey home. Peterborough Station was chosen.

Off duty loco crew from nearby Nene Valley Railway (with one who is part of the A1 Support team who was in communication with the train) assisted Network Rail and helpfull VTEC staff in clearing cars from the rail side of the short stay car park to make room ready for the new tanker.

With only roughly a 20 min delay, the A1 was then off and hot footing it down the ECML. An excellent run by looks of things with the bonus of extra fast line running after a short delay to claw back some time.

 

Brilliant display by the A1 north of Thirsk today,absolutely flying

 

It was a very good day with some brave timings good running and excellent work by everybody to retrieve what could have been a complete fiasco after Newark. For full details see the next Heritage Railway

 

There was an impressive departure from Peterborough on the return run (turn up the volume!):
https://twitter.com/CompoRob/status/861117905345400833

 

Departing Retford and accelerating towards Askham tunnel. (onboard - no bits were sticking out)

 

D0n - when does it come out?

 

Its out on 1st June