Tornado's 09 Tour Programme

What is it with some people - give it a so and so rest will you!

I have covered many, many hundreds of miles on the railway network this winter from the Scottish borders to the south coast to get some shots of the A1 while she is a novelty. I have seen almost no trespass - and I do mean almost NONE.

This blowing up of what is, in reality, a very small issue into banner headlines to make copy where there is better content available, or simply to bolster some super egos, is simply making mountains out of molehills, and creating a scenario for those with an axe to grind to start sharpening.

There always has been trespass- there always will be trespass.

It isn't all to do with steam specials - viz the Network Rail level crossing exercise, and the recent tragic events reported in the national press around service train incidents.

There have been no such incidents around steam specials - can we please lower the volume ](*,) ](*,)

 

edit: out of date

 

The trip on the Saturday 11th July is not a "Torbay Express" but "The Golden Hind" a Bristol - Plymouth -Bristol itinerary both ways over the Devon Banks. Bookings already being taken . See Pat-Time Rails Website.

 

Ok, sorry about that, it has the correct route on the A1ST site but under the name 'Torbay Express'.

Chris

 

Excellent, I’m booked for Plymouth. It’s going to be a great summer with lost of interesting stuff in the North and South. I had heard Past-Time were considering this but thought it wasn’t going to happen as it was sometime ago it was suggested to me that it might be a possibility, but this is superb news indeed.

 

Yes Andy has pulled out all the stops to get 60163 for the Torbays and the Golden Hind,looking forward to the assault on Whiteball,Dainton etc.,I'm sure the Bristol and Newport lads will oblige!.Any chance of No.7 getting the chance to show what she can do over the banks Nigel?.
Alan.

 

This would seem to suggest that the gauging issues surrounding ex-LNER designed locos from passing through Kent has been fixed?

Regards,

Dan

 

Well I would love that, but not up to the Trust, operational matters rest with A4LS.

So I take it that it'll be an EWS operation? I was wondering that, I assume it's not the TE stock as the tour starts in Baisingstoke? It would be nice if Standard wasn't at the back all day, but understand the constraints of Plymouth operations these days.

 

Was wondering about gauging issues.

 

Surprised the 11th July to Plymouth hasn't reached UK Steam yet.

Edit: I see it has just now!

I wonder if the extra Torbay dates in August have anything to do with concerns about the time needed for repairs to 6024?

 

According to the latest Railway Herald , Tornado will be allowed 10 coaches over the south devon banks with the Golden Hind on the 11th of july

 

Times for Saturday

King's Cross 09.18
Potters Bar 09.47
Stevenage 10.05
Hitchin 10.11
Sandy 10.21
Huntingdon 10.38
Peterborough 11.01
Tallington 11.09
Grantham 11.32-12.07
Newark 12.23
Carlton 12.33-12.44
Retford 12.59-13.05
Doncaster 13.36
York 14.08

York 17.08
Doncaster 17.35
Retford 17.59-18.09
Newark 18.29
Grantham 18.46-19.15
Tallington 19.37
Peterborough 19.49
Huntingdon 20.05
Sandy 20.19
Hitchin 20.30
Stevenage 20.36
Potters Bar 20.51
King's Cross 21.09

Only one water stop in each direction, at Grantham. 105 miles before the first water stop! Some of the timings are impressive too, such as 31 mins Peterborough to Grantham on the outward, and 27 mins York to Doncaster on the return.

Thanks to SK on GNGen for the times.

 

31 minutes is OK for passing Peterborough. 60007 did it in 25mins 34 seconds last year, including a slow run into the loop for water.

They must be pretty confidient about the water consumption running 105miles without water. I guess they'll use P1 at KX to allow them to top up the tender to the brim. Dare I ask whether the VSOE stock will have a diesel on the back? If so then one one wonders if it will 'help' as hauling circa 550 - 600tons for 105miles is a big ask.

 

Will this run Slow or fast line to Potters Bar and beyond? I don't really wish to have a repeat of The Talisman where everyone had set up for it to come past on the Up Fast, only for it to run on the slow line past Oakleigh Park. Rather annoying!

 

Thanks also for these times, would you have the times and route for the empties from
Stew lane to KX. I was wondering if they may go chimney first via Kenny O. and then reverse in?

Thanks Mike M. ( 70c)

 

Only ones I have are

SLNT&RSMD 05:45
STEWRTSLN 05:51 05:59
COPENHGNJ PASS 06:49
HOLLWAYSJ PASS 06:51
FINSBRYPK PASS 06:55
FERMEPARK 07:04 08:04
ALEXPALCE PASS 08:08
BOWESPARK 08:13 08:25
ALEXPALCE PASS 08:29
FINSBRYPK PASS 08:37
HOLLWAYSJ PASS 08:39
BELLEISLE PASS 08:41
KINGS X 08:43

So it'll be leading to Bowes Park, but from where I do not know.

 

Thanks much appreciated.

Mike M. ( 70c )

 

passed colton junction on time heading north.

 

Yes, I understand that 60163 has been cleared for a trip around Kent on 21 June, out via Sole St, Faversham and and Ramsgate, back via Folkestone and Tonbridge.

David

 

Well also looking at the Steam Dreams website David, its fully advertised on there confirming Tornado is running. NR confirmation agreed then!!!