Tornado Railtours - 2019

Not sure I could justify the expense of hotels etc for 60163 but if 60009 does a trip then I would have to go just to get one more run with N0. 9 out of Aberdeen. That would probably be my swansong and I could finally hang up my stop watch and GPS. Probably time I stopped anyway as a poor old pensioner well passed my three score years and ten and not now in the best of condition. But being of Bulleid pacific lineage no doubt I will keep going even in poor condition. In fact of course 35003 produced the highest known speed with SR steam right at the end and a very poor state. Sorry for the ramble....Anyway No. 9 covered in the next HR due out on 20th.

 

Have received emails confirming postponement of the Ynys Mon from 29 Sep to 4 May 2019 and Auld Reekie to 3 March 2019.

Disappointing to say the least, esp as accomm booked in Donny for Auld Reekie.

Any prospect of a main line test run?

 

Heard nothing recently. Originally was set for 25th Sept or thereabouts but that's not going to happen now.

 

Another one bites the dust. This has appeared on the SRPS Railtours website this afternoon.

'Forth Circle' Steam Special

featuring Scotland's latest World Heritage Site, The Forth Bridge

Steam-hauled by A1 Class 60163 Tornado

Saturday 13th October 2018

Unfortunately these trains have had to be cancelled.
We have been informed that repairs to Tornado have not been completed in time.
SRPS Railtours apologise for any inconvenience and will refund payments as soon as possible.

 

I was talking to the SRPS guys on Sunday's ill-fated Sugar Loaf Mountaineer and the general consensus amongst them was that a cancellation was looking likely. Although Tornado is now hauling passenger trains on the Nene Valley Railway, she needs a lot more mileage yet before she'll be hauling a mainline railtour.

 

That statement sounds to me just like the one another member posted recently..............."I feel it's justified".............

The Forth job cancellation MIGHT be that Tornado would be 'out of position. It was due to go to Scotland with The Auld Reekie the previous weekend (Oct. 7th), that's not happening so as I see it to do The Forth they would have had to get it to Scotland light engine. Funds have taken a hammering this last 6 months, there's not much (if any) spare cash around to get Tornado from NVR to Scotland LE

 

It would be SRPS who would incur the cost of a light engine movement, not the Tornado group, as far as I'm aware.

 

Wonder if 46100 was enquired about as a sub?

 

I welcome this AL you will not annoy my fan club by posting this

 

That doesn't bode well for the Linlithgow-York on 3rd November. I wonder if that will also be cancelled?

 

As far as I'm aware, no final decision has been made regarding the 3rd November tour.

 

Have had a good read through 60163's tours next year to see what I'd like to do, finances permitting. I find the White Rose itinerary on 27 April 2019 rather interesting: KGX via PBR, PBO, Hambleton Junction, LDS, HGT to YRK, with steam coming off at DON on the return. Must be the first steam proposed for the Harrogate Loop in over half a decade. Alas, steam ceased on this route just as I was getting into my stride. I therefore hope this one runs as advertised.

 

I certainly don't mean to set hares running, especially with proposed times, but if the timing from Kings Cross to Peterborough is to be believed...it could be rather interesting...

 

I'm losing track of what's happening when, so just went to the A1SLT website --- where I find it is still possible to download the 2018 brochure, with the numerous trips that got cancelled.

 

The 3 of November is getting ominously close with the 1st of December not far behind. Let’s hope that no news is good news. I wonder if a possible substitute loco is being sought for The Border Raider - it would provide some much needed income.

 

Heard on the reliable grapevine that the engine has passed all the required tests and has been 'signed off'. The hope is that a mainline test run can be made on or around the 29th October.

 

This looks like the exit from the NVR:

 

Try again

This looks like the exit from the NVR :

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54616/2018/10/29/advanced