Tornado: The Caledonian Express - 12/07/24

Another tour announced for Tornado
https://www.a1steam.com/caledonianexpress#/?id=c6a0364d-bbbf-4327-9628-29bd208d4e07

Neil

 

VT are the TOC again.

Interesting that the only first class availability is compartments for six @ £1000 a pop.


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I thought they would have learnt their lesson by now and not start advertising tours until they are ready to go.

 

The a1steam page includes this

Is that just flannel or do they mean that they hope (but can't be sure) that there won't be a diesel banker? VT's train has recently been up Shap behind a solo Castle, so Tornado should have no trouble there or on Beattock.

I am also wondering about times. I was on "The 30th Anniversary Limited" on 6&7 October 2001, steam hauled from Birmingham International to Edinburgh and back. The timings for that trip on Six Bells Junction (supplied by me and as booked) show it taking over 12 hours for the only slightly longer distance than from Birmingham New Street, admittedly with several breaks including two hours at Carlisle. This summer's trip has to provide "just under 3 hours" in Edinburgh and then get back (with modern traction) all the way to Birmingham.

 

We must hope that Tornado has what it takes to climb (Beattock) solo on our tour!

Why shouldn't it ?, in 2015 on one of the trains run for Abellio it climbed Beattock with 8 (support & SRPS) Mk 1s.
can't recall offhand if it's climbed Beattock since.

 

60163 took 13 over Beattock on the 12th September 2020, solo

 

VT is TOC as I posted somewhere.


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The reply I received yesterday was that there would be a diesel in the consist but they are working to have it follow north of Carnforth.