The Lickey Tornado

I have just seen a tour adverisec on past time rail's website and they have a tour called lickey tornado on saturday 14th november?

does this mean that 60163 will tackle the lickey incline?

where is the destination?

does anyone know the full route it will take? plus is their any resrictions in the area that will prevent the locomotive going up their? ie bridges, width of platforms

any informartion will be of help as this could be a record breaking tour up the incline. if the loco is found to going up it?

 

From PTR newsletter

THE LICKEY TORNADO - Saturday 14th November 2009

Full details to be announced shortly but what a tour in prospect as the stunning brand new steam locomotive Tornado attacks the infamous Lickey incline. Steam Section: Gloucester – Cheltenham Spa – Barnt Green – Birmingham International – Coventry – Leamington Spa – Banbury – Oxford – Reading – London Paddington

Pick Up/Set Down: London Paddington, Slough, Reading, Didcot Parkway

 

Barnt Green to Birmingham International....
Does this mean it will be going Barnt Green - Camp Hill - Landor Street - Sutton Park- Walsall - Aston - Stetchford - Birmingham International??
The date is already penciled in!!

 

Or via New Street. That would be a sight.

 

Save them knocking it down

MARTIN ](*,)

 

Almost certainly, only other route Barnt Green - Coventry avoidng New St is Barnt Green - Camp Hill - Landor Street - Water Orton - Nuneaton - Bedworth - Coventry.

Should be fine gauging wise unless anything new has popped up, Ashchurch isn't as bad for non western loco's.

 

My money says it won't beat the Two Halls record for a steam ascent in preservation and maybe the all time record, set in Sept. 2006. \/

 

I didn't know there was anything wrong with Ashchurch!
Dursley & Cam has a clearance problem with the footbridge, but that is only in the southerly direction and is well south of Gloucester so would not trouble this itinerary anyway.

As far as I know!!!! [-o<

 

Speed restriction through the platform or completly barred depending on your loco's width or height of the cylinders to be more specific.

 

The excuse well they used to run down here 50 years ago doesn't apply anymore. Modern platform stepping distances and platform heights will dictate a locos route as well. Ashchurch has stopped nearly all outside cylindered GWR locos and other larger locos from running north from Gloucester.

I will be looking forward to this tour as it will be a wonderful sight seeing an A1 in and around B'ham, We've just had a K1 so 7 months until the next LNER interloper is long enough....

 

"Was" Being the operative word, the original was demolished, probably 30 years back. Now it is two concrete sectional platforms supported on blocks with bus shelters and a button to press for information, if I remember correctly.

 

.............. nor "Leanders" storming ascent of a couple of years back. Whilst it would be nice to see Tornado go it alone up the bank, to see exactly what it can do, I guess there will be a cl 67 on the back pushing [or should I say assisting]. So perhaps it won't be that much of a spectacle as some are anticipating.

 

Being pedantic, i think the Midland route up the Lickey came under Western Region after the boundary changes, though Midland loco's still tended to dominate, apart from the Pannier bankers.

Though you are right, the "proper" GWR route from Cheltenham is via Toddington & Stratford.

 

Oh those GWR tinted glasses! :-D

 

I never said Ashchurch was GW? I know it was Midland. I am talking about modern times. Ashchurch has newish platforms. Which comply to modern stepping distances.

 

any more news on this tour?

 

As it's not due until Sat 14 Nov, I think it's all a bit sketchy at the moment.

 

I understand the train is load limited so that 60163 will be unassisted – so I’m booked!

 

No. 7 - yep, that's correct. Load 10 I believe.