Tornado

Is 44932 still bring fitted? One of the mags reported a 'falling out' between NR and West Coast and that the project to fit the Black 5 was no longer.
Given it is practically impossible to get any official comment from Carnforth, the article was light on details.

 

Why is that not a surprise? Why am I reminded of the quote of ‘starting an argument in a phone box’ with WC matters?

 

Knee jerk reaction on a very vague "report". Classic Nat Pres.

 

I was under that impression also Pat, that the A1 people don't have to meet the actual cost of the equipment, but that does not go on to mean there is no expense, theres might still be the cost of installation, the cost of the conduct the wiring, all of which could amount to quite a large sum, and then, theres the testing, no one knows yet how the electronics might cope to the practicalities of being in a steam environment, things like sensors etc, a footplate is a more active place than tucked away under a cab, different motions to allow for, but if steam is to enjoy the access it has now, then it has to be done, is it an add on on to existing systems, or a completely new system?

 

Can you please define what you call ‘a knee jerk reaction?’

 

Criticism of a group, company or individual without any solid evidence or facts. Jumping to conclusions.
The original post quoted a magazine article, then stated it was impossible to get a quote from west coast, I doubt you would get a quote from network rail either. It's called confidentiality.
In this instance jumping on the band waggon to criticise west coast.
Seems to be a recurring theme on this forum.
Just my opinion as was your post.

 

Assuming @acorb and I are thinking of the same piece, there is a quote from NR. Classic Nat Pres, jumping to conclusions without any solid evidence or facts...

 

Can we get back to Tornado please

 

I agree. Hope the Trust upload the convention onto YouTube like they did last year (albeit 6-7 weeks afterwards) and also in 2020.

 

From what was being said on the old rumour mill, take it with a pinch of salt, the bill for the new equipment had come upto 7 million pounds so far on Tornado (paid for by network rail i believe) no idea if thats final costs, or if that is the correct figure.

It would be interesting to know what the actual cost will be once completed for the next locos (not the test one that incurs the additional costs) as this does have implications for new build locomotives who may need to pay for this themselves, or restorations that havent yet been on the mainline.

 

I thought that figure was a bit high, considering the Thameslink class 700 upgrade (230 driving cabs) includes new software and hardware and is only coming in at £32m. But the Electrostar first in class project was initially £11.3m.

https://www.railvolution.net/news/etcs-for-electrostar-emus

That's for one unit, but with the designs done for the many different variants of Electrostar. £7m for the A1 and two Black 5s might not be far off.

 

£7m just for one steam loco?!

 

You sound surprised!

 

It's not the only rumour circulating about Tornado, and if true the signalling system is irrelevant.

 

Beware rumour mills. I give you the case of Elstree Film Studios, where a block was found to be contaminated with asbestos. When that was removed, RAAC was found in abundance and that led to quotes of up to £150m - 200m to demolish, rebuild and update. A former councillor responsible for saving the studios from developers pointed out that the massive Sky Studios Elstree complex just up the road 'only' cost £230m.

Demolition and rebuilding is now going ahead, but I suspect at a far more realistic figure.
https://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/23834517.elstree-studios-star-wars-film-stages-demolished-due-raac/

I wonder what the cost for fitting and testing ETCS will be on the Deltics, although I understand that they have similar ballistics to Class 86 electrics so that may speed up the testing.

 

If this is what I think you are referring to, since coming back off holiday I have heard the same from at least four different independent sources in the industry and it’s been known for a few weeks. Yet there was no mention of it at the recent Convention, so the long suffering supporters are yet again being kept in the dark, and it’s actions like this that influence where our donations and legacies are directed in the future.

 

Are us mere mortals allowed to ask what it is?

 

To quote above.. Typical Nat Pres!