Tornado

Why change from an exhaust steam injector to live steam? I’ve given some of the reasons previously but, in essence, it comes down to cost and reliability. How many locos have had the exhaust injector replaced with a live steam one? I’m not sure but it isn’t just one or two.

 

And where their money has gone due to poor decision making

 

On a Britannia the change would remove a lot of 4-3/4" diameter copper pipe and the grease separator from the loco. I assume it would be a similar situation on Tornado.

 

I know next to nothing about injectors but if that is true then maybe they needed to create some space for the ERTMS kit?

 

Well, whatever is going on, all I know is that in two weeks from today it is due to start driver experience courses on the Nene Valley - and it will need to come by road from Loughborough. So less than that to complete it and give it a test run at the GCR.

 

I just hope the NVR have another engine lined up. one from their home fleet, so they won't lose any more money that can take Tornado's place, The reputation of the A1 trust will of course be in tatters, but will the fools in the boardroom even notice? I would not be in the least surprised if it gets announced that the trust has had to be bailed out by the Royal Scot trust, and that 60163, is going to move to crewe i give it 6 months,

 

4-8-0s were built in Great Britain - but only for use overseas. Here is a picture (from an old calendar) of one built by Vulcan Foundry (near Manchester) in 1949.

Firebox fits between the frames but this is on 5ft 6in (1676mm) gauge. In any case, I believe it was an oil-burner.

Makes an interesting comparison with the P2 and other 2-8-2 types.

 

I think you're catastrophising there, Martin.

Are there any GCR volunteers on here who can say/are allowed to say what the current state of play is, or it a case of ?

 

Fair comment, so let's wait and see, I genuinely hope the A1 Trust does indeed get Tornado finished, but If expenditure is outstripping income to protect the locos, an tie up with another organisation would be one way forward, Actually A tie in with LSL, would certainly solve some issues, they are an TOC, and have stock,

 

But in the case of Tornado all this is already in-situ.

 

It depends on on precisely how one defines 'overseas', but don't forget Hudswell Clarke's pair for the Lough Swilly.
Pat

 

This is an extract from the supporters update email sent out by the chairman on 24th July ….

“We are now on the final straight in preparation for the testing of the steam system, dynamic testing and running in. The locomotive will be ready for that phase to commence this week but we also need to complete the weighing. This is scheduled for next week, using the equipment from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and as soon as that is completed a warming fire will be lit. There will then be a period of static testing, including some ETCS tests, before the locomotive undertakes running in on the GCR.

We have kept a close liaison with the Nene Valley Railway and arrangements are in hand to arrive at Wansford at the end of the second week in August ready for the planned visit”

There been nothing since, so presumably the weighing is complete and the warming fire about to be lit?

 

There is a British built 4-8-0 on display in the Great Hall of the NRM - and it finished its days as a wood burner

Peter

 

Here it is

Peter

 

Looking at the most recent set of accounts, the A1 Trust raised £1.651 million in FY 2022-23 and spent £0.682 million. They have £7million in assets and £745k of cash in the bank.

Obviously, the financial picture could have changed in the following year, but as per the most recent set of accounts, whatever you may think about the performance of the directors in running the charity (I make no comment on that), they don't look to be in any kind of imminent financial distress. If the Royal Scot Trust have to bail them out by February 2025, I'll willingly eat my words, but I think I am safe ...

Tom

 

It'd certainly see them not get a penny more from me.

 

it isn’t going to happen. There will be a last minute announcement of postponement due to [insert any reason other than mismanagement], a promise not to overpromise again [which will be broken soon afterwards] and no acceptance of any responsibility by the board never mind any tendering of resignations.

 

That is before repayment of fares for cancelled trains and is now the FY which ended 16 months ago during which there have been no Railtours operating. Also don’t forget that there is a financial charge on Tornado which secured a loan and that P2 funds are supposed to be hypothecated. As an A1 and P2 covenantor I want to know how much is owed to the P2 construction fund from both Tornado and the loss making Railtours operation.

There is no way RSGT will bail out A1SLT or LSL operate Tornado under its current leadership.

 

I've not followed closely, has money raised for P2 construction not been going into a restricted fund? There are quite specific rules about fundraising money and what you can and can't do with it (Temporarily) subsidizing other parts of the business is, without needing to check, not on that list. Has this been admitted to, or just hypothecated?

 

Should what you say come to pass, I'm just wondering what kind of damage this will do to the Nene Valley's reputation, never mind that of the A1SLT.