Tornado Railtour Programme 2021

The first 'Aberdonian' seemed to go down as a great success today, looking like a busy train (with current restrictions in mind) and the sun started shining as she left Dundee on the return home.

The tours are now routed via Gleneagles on the return, which is a refreshing change to see steam challenge the Caledonian more often and helped strike gold tonight at Gleneagles.


Peppercorn A1 No. 60163 'Tornado' - Gleneagles by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

 

Why are the tours routed via Stirling on the return?

 

Today's Aberdonian sees Tornado with load 11. Diesel already detached and departed.

Out via Ladybank, back via Stirling due to pathing issues on Hilton Jn - Ladybank single line.

 

We should be grateful that more than one reasonable route exists, even with the Tay Bridge unavailable for steam.

 

The weather improved after Dundee, and so did the running.

Sent ahead of an Azuma held at Dundee. But congestion at Aberdeen meant long wait on the Dee viaduct before being routed into platform 2.

 

Delays getting stock back into Aberdeen and watering buffet car. Will now follow 18.18 ABD - EDB 170.

 

Aberdeen to Dundee in 89m 34s, clear road but a few pway slacks. Slow start out of Aberdeen but picked up nicely along the cliffs.

 

And Dundee to Haymarket via Stirling non stop in 114m 19s. Checked at Errol by the late running 18.40 Aberdeen - Glasgow which we followed out of Dundee. Otherwise clear road.

71 max after Hilton Jn, 44 min at Gleneagles.

 

Heading south through Gleneagles station last night

 

Pfizer did it's best to floor me for the day, but painkillers and a short drive ensured I didn't miss all the fun yesterday evening.


Peppercorn A1 No. 60163 'Tornado' - Perthumie Bay by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

 

In the last few days I have regrettably had to cancel my only booking to travel behind steam in 2021. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic together with my medication regime has placed travelling (and lots of other activities) out of bounds.

I would like to place on record my thanks to the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust who have been understanding and accommodating in allowing me to cancel bookings during the last 18 months. My thanks also for continuing to operate mainline steam and for letting me watch from the trackside – try stopping me! I wish them well in these difficult times.

I will be back!

 

Yes indeed, I booked on The Caledonian back in October 2019. Hard to believe everything that's happened since then! Hopefully it should be the standout trip of 2021.
Luckily I'm just a 50 minute drive from Tame Bridge Parkway but, yes, it will be logistically challenging for those from the south.

 

Well we end up missing out in the end as it now clashes with a rail/river cruise in France. We’ve taken a credit note so hoping for better luck next year. Steam comes off at Preston now I believe.


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Can't the TOC only ask? Is it not NR who decide if that connection is made or not.

 

A Preston stop would please quite a few I would imagine, it would certainly shorten my day by appx. 2.1/2 hours.

 

Anybody else pleased with another (potential) 27 miles of steam haulage - I know I am!

 

Been told by the A1 ST via Email the tickets for both the Jorvic express 16 sept and the Caledonian 18 sept Will be posted by midweek at the latest next week due to the A1ST awaiting the final timings and authorisation Off N.R. or great british railways whichever name the national network is called nowadays.