Tornado

Does this mean that Top Gear will be renamed Top Link?

 

I believe it was Grierson York-Newcastle with Hanszard firing and they then swapped at Newcastle. This is only what I was told. I think the inspector was Jim Smith to York, then I think Steve Chipperfield beyond.

 

Thanks for all the great pictures! I was lucky enough to be on the train and it was a fabulous day. I was a bit disappointed that she wasn't allowed up to the design speed of 90mph - I thought perhaps that was the 'surprise'. However, we had a superb run - long periods in the low seventies eating up the miles in great style. Clarkson was certainly on the footplate until York at least he and the crew looked like they had been down a coalmine! Evidently he was really entering into the spirit and not just playing up for the cameras - really working hard! Sorry to hear that the Jag beat us - must have been close as we were bang on time into Waverley. This was really a great railway journey and I hope it can be repeated someday - maybe when Tornado is cleared for 90mph running. Back in 1968, May 3rd I was on the non-stop Waverley to Kings X with 4472, so I have finally got to do the return leg! Huge congratulations to all concerned - must have taken a lot of planning and everything worked out. Incidentally, I understantd that the train was run on a not for profit basis. Many hours of footage must have been taken, and there must be some fabulous shots from the helicopter. Unfortunately the final showing will probably only be around ten minutes, but I am looking forward to seeing it.

 

Here's a chance for BBC Marketting then to sell an hour or 2 hour long videos and DVDs of the run.

 

Full train arrived at Tyne Yard this afternoon at 15:45.

Tomorrow; stock goes to Eastleigh, loco and support coach to Grosmont.

Cheers

 

Suspect that's most likely leaning from the cab and catching what's coming out the exhaust than coal dust, while he may have had a go on the shovel, someone his age who aint used to it clearly woulden't last long.

 

Doesn't it make you feel proud to be British, in less than a century we've gone from going over the top on the Somme to being frightened of standing near a railway line. I could ask in how many other countries this would have been an issue. ](*,)

 

I think you are being unfair,I have been that dirty many times just pulling coal forward,the coal dust sticks to the sweaty bits and brushes off the overalls.

Colin.

 

Fair enough Col, i just know from experience if your looking out and the exhaust is blowing right it doesn't take long at all to look like that, something i am to demonstrate again in a fortnight

 

Yes it was Steam Dreams who organised it and took the risk of it all, and all of the companies involved did everything at cost so no one made anything out of the event other than the A1 trust. If you read the letter is states "The train is being run with the support of DB Schenker, Network Rail and Riviera Trains with all proceeds being donated to the A1 steam locomotive trust. We thank both organisations for their support in undertaking this operation on a non profit basis." It doesnt say anything there about free of charge but I guess everyone has their opinion on the day itself though.

 

Based on previous Top Gear 'Form' most of their three way races in the past have had quite heavy coverage in the show, and a half hour slot divided into two 15 minute sections would be the minimum I would expect for this one.

 

My apologies, the phrase 'free of charge' was wrong. The position I think is clear.

 

NXEC were supportive as well providing single tickets to London for which passengers paid £25--a bargain! They were helpful+friendly as were everyone I met on possibly the BEST day out ever--yes,really,our hobby seemed to be almost "cool"--vital to attract teenagers who were totally amazed.

Caterers/company/loco/weather/organisation by S.D + esp Mr Bunker/A1 Trust---AAAA+++++

Lots of v keen enthusiasts managed to time the train/enjoy every minute of the day + eat v good food + a glass of champagne---at least in coach B

Thankyou---I have just got back to Dawlish---still grinning

ps--thats my Inter-City steam track bash map completed..............!!

RAY MASON

 

You've finally managed the last bit of the ECML then Ray!

 

On reflection perhaps my earlier comment was open to misinterpretation, I was talking in a loco performance perspective only. The climb out of Kings Cross was excellent but then onwards running was good, but not of the standard of say 6233 on ‘The Talisman’ in 2005 to Peterborough or 60007 on ‘The Coronation’ up Stoke. Running was often circa 72/73mph until after Doncaster when we started seeing more 75’s.

After York speed built nicely and was consistently closer to 75mph. On the uphill sections more was asked of 60163 and north of Newcastle you hardly noticed some of the climbs! very impressive work.

What is without doubt is that we all appreciated the unique chance of 393 miles of fast line running. It was about 373 miles before we got delayed by the stopper running into Edinburgh. A very special trip.

Our on-train video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMAcwj88ggk

 

Yes--the FINAL bit of the ECML "done"---by gum its cost a bit laddie!! 2trips/2air fares/hotel/sleeper.........eeee worth every penny tho'

Seriously,operating wasinteresting. Non-stop to Grantham by steam--a personal first. As we arrived 2 ECML NXEC passed as we took water. Off again then at York the next n/b NXEC was on our tail. Fantastic scheduling+operating+lots of fastline running. Speed was v carefully held at just below 75 for obvious reasons such as EWS' safety case fot steam is,I think,limited to 75 even if the steam loco WAS passed for a higher speed such as 90mph(pl correct this post if incorrect!)

 

Well for a secret it was not that well kept , and if the adverse publicity that has accompanied a few of Tornados earlier outings , due to trespassing , has been avoided all the better , However this has proved 2 things , that KX-Edin waverley can be done in a day ( even before Tornado is able to do 90) , and that Tornado is now fully in the mainstream , to the extent that Mr Clarkson seems to have been doing some of the shovelling himself, as for the license payers money then after all the millions that are wasted on consultants , to put some of it Tornado's way is money well spent. In advertising terms it must be worth millions ( well hundreds of thousands) .
I have only read about it yesterday ( all a bit confusing , some posts say the Jag won and some say the train won ) ,as I am staying in a hotel in Russia where the in room wi fi wasn't working . and what was the final time taken ?.also if there was a re-run when Tornado has a second tender , AND can do 90mph then the result will be a dead cert .

well done all involved =D>

Charles I

 

Thanks for that, Tracklayer. Much appreciated. I only saw the video of the trip once; those involved from the programme seemed to enjoy it \/

Didn't that trip include helicopter footage too?

 

It wasn't only Clarkson, all on the footplate stepped down at York looking very dirty. The cameraman might still be in the shower.