Pathfinder's Summer Cornishman with Tornado 23/06/19

Times are now posted for next Sunday's outing from Bristol to Par as follows
Westbound http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10631/2019/06/23/advanced
Eastbound http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10634/2019/06/23/advanced

Timings are in most cases almost identical to the schedule for last year's Cornishman outing with Clan Line, give or take the odd minute here and there. The main differences are that, westbound, the stop at Tiverton Loop has been omitted (but still retained on the Return leg), And eastbound, the Plymouth-Exeter schedule has been tightened to 66 minutes (previously 74), which, given equivalent operating conditions to last year, shouldn't pose too many problems for 8P motive power - Clan Line achieved 60'45", following on from the westbound record breaking time of 62' 20" against a schedule of 69 minutes achieved earlier that day.

Lots of optimistic expectations for Tornado's performance on Sunday, and no doubt a flood of comparisons with last year to follow to confirm or confound partisan allegiances. Can hardly wait for the "Off"!!

 

Yes looking forward to this. Likely to be some mizzle, which will test the crews on the banks. Possible thunderstorms later.

 

Only load 9 today. Train being towed back to Plymouth. Track into St Blazey declared unfit for POBs and carriages.

 

Tornado looked very good this morning departing from Bristol on time in the morning gloom.

Heavy rain due to meet a tornado at Plymouth.

Turning moves now as follows‎:
13:15 Par to Plymouth Friary S.S.‎ http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O16115/2019/06/23/advanced‎
15:16 Plymouth Friary S.S. to Par‎ ‎http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O16116/2019/06/23/advanced

<BJ>

 

Nothing special on Whitehall. 12m 59s from Taunton in at 46.8. Watered in Tiv Loop.

 

Tornado away from Tiverton loop 12 early. Follow it's path on Opentraintimes by following the link below. <BJ>
https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/exeter

 

Leaving Yatton.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/albums/72157709213474407

 

EXD PLY 59m 35s

 

Not on the train this time round, but for load 9, it looks to have been an excellent westbound run. The return run will be equally interesting, as apart from 6024's now legendary run, there is also 70013's sub 59-minute dash with the same load in July 2009 (every second counts, and sadly, my records are not clear on this. I seem to recall it was a matter of around 30 seconds between the two runs, but would be happy to be corrected).

 

My footage of Tornado putting on a stunning westbound run during the morning. I filmed her at Whiteball, Rattery and Devonport Station. Enjoy.

 

a couple of shots... between Wellington and Whiteball and passing Powderham

 

My video of The Summer Cornishman with 60163 Tornado taken at Tigley and Hemerdon (2 clips).

 

Very nice. Tornado sounds very crisp and even. Blowing off at times while climbing - steaming better than the fireman expected? I can't help visualising how the P2 will look on these banks in a few years time.

 

Didn’t have a diesel on when I seen it, how’d it get towed

 

I presume it was a DB Cargo operation, so possibly no need to take second loco with them. Was there a DBC diesel waiting at Par? It could be quite efficient to hook the assisting loco on at Par, run back to Plymouth, round the triangle and back to Par. The RTT times posted by @free2grice show an hour in Plymouth - enough to take on coal and water, provided the crew were able to clean the fire, etc on the ECS trip?

 

After a conversation with driver Steve Mathews at Bristol Temple Meads last night, it appears that Tornado was not in full form on the return run from Par.

Hemerdon summit was passed with 55% cut off. A passenger timed the train at this point at just 11 mph. Steve also mentioned that speed fell quicker than expected at Dainton.

It would be good if 1020 Shireman could give a comprehensive report of the trip. <BJ>

 

But 95% 'RT' all day and never more than 4 down. Unless things were seriously awry on Dainton I'd be happy with that.

 

Having watched a few videos on the lower part of Hemerdon I'd say it's a good job it was load nine in the end.

 

Anthony,

Tornado arrived at Par unassisted but there was a Class 66 waiting there.

 

Looking at videos of this tour the chime whistle seems a lot healthier.