Tornado

News from the Nene Valley Railway. <BJ>

''We have had an amazing few weeks running with 60163 Tornado, we hope that you have enjoyed the locomotive as much as we have. The fire is now being dropped and the locomotive will enter the shed whist work continues towards main line certification of the locomotive. We would like to thank the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust for allowing the hire of the locomotive to the NVR. It has been amazing to see the locomotive back doing what it does best''.

 

In the latest issue of Trackside, Steve Davies makes mention of working with LSL by lending each other stuff. Apparently the A1 Trust lent firebars and rocking grate parts to LSL so they could fire up Blue Peter and LSL has lent the A1 Trust patterns, saying it's been a very good below the radar exchange and hopes that both locos will work together at some point.

He also mentions in regard to TOC's, the loco is currently signed up with Vintage Trains (the loco is reportedly due to move to Tyseley this coming week and will undergo a mainline test rim under VT) and DB Cargo and are hoping to add to that in due course.

 

In other words the A1 Trust may be using everybody except WCRC. That could be a wise course of action.

 

I struggle to believe that’s the case. In fact it would likely work well for both parties if they did work together.

Take Christmas as a prime example….there are days when all 3 Riley 5s are tied to polar duties, but there’s an Edinburgh Market job out. An A1 would be useful down that stretch, since I think the chances of getting the Merchant anywhere near are slim to non.

Having read the article in Trackside it seems very much to me like the LSL/A1 relationship is surrounding engineering, technical bits and pieces. Whereas the running will more likely fall to the rest of the TOCs, and I wouldn’t rule WCR out on that front.

 

But as DB appear to only do Belmond and The Royal Train with steam, probably not much use to the greater railtour market.

 

Is it though? Who operates the most amount of tours and yet has the fewest number of available locomotives? Tying yourself to the smaller operators (simply by number of trains operated) when you're crying out for cash seems a bit daft. Both LSL and VT only have one set of stock each, WCRC could easily make up half a dozen sets.

Also LSL only really run once a week with Saphos or Steam Dreams (19 tours between them in the first 6 months of next year) and have 5 locos available for use. Vintage ran about a dozen tours in the first 6 months of last year and have the two Castles plus Bahamas available. RTC are advertising 24 tours in the first six months of next year, plus whatever WCRC run themselves. That's a lot to cover with only a couple of locos, assuming 34067 is back promptly.

 

It would be nice if this sort of information was passed on to Supporters and Covenantors as not everyone subscribes to magazines or even Faceache. The communications on the overhaul whilst at Loughborough and the GCR were dismal to say the least. Since the move to the NVR it's become abysmal to almost non existent.

Mr Davies promised regular updates, the last one I know of from him was 9th Sept. The main Tornado website was last updated the same day. The only news from the NVR was what the NVR themselves published and was copied to the A1 F/b page. There has been no information regarding how the Convention went. I seem to recall that last year it was recorded so that people could watch it in their own time. A picture did appear in the Mikado Messenger of people at the Works that day, but nothing more.

There has been posts on F/b from the Trust, advertising a job , merchandise and birthday wishes to a member of the office staff. As to Tornado itself zilch!! Of course the begging letters still appear though.

Dave B

 

Indeed, i find it disappointing that nobody on here who actually went to the convention ( surely somebody did) has felt the need to either repudiate or reflect on the growing negativity on here or share some positive information from those proceedings. Tempted to spark up the membership again just so i can turn up with my 'penneth worth' next year. Did notice that the talks /presentations are back on.

 

I certainly don't: I try and avoid anything to do with Zuckerberg and all the other so-called "Tech Bro's" and the one and only time I read Trackside I decided not to waste any further money on it.

 

Why would they?

If they report good news, they'll be hounded with lots of ‘whataboutery’ and dragging up the past.

If they report bad news, there’ll be lots of ‘told you’ comments.

The thread has become toxic.

 

They don't have to post it on here.
Calling something "toxic" can be a way of avoiding scrutiny...

 

It may have been, but the persistent habit of saying nothing, then making highly dubious assertions, undermined all confidence.

Some simple, clear, achievable communications about what’s planned, together with simple and honest statements when things don’t work, would go a long way to restoring confidence.

Edit. Where organisations that have been the subject of contentious threads have got their houses even partially in order, the noise has reduced dramatically.

 

Unless of course it is toxic, in which case...

Im not sure that word can be justly attibuted to this scenario tho. A lack of updates and publishing info is non-ideal, but I wouldnt consider it toxic.

Keeping your fundrasiers on side in the preservation movement is wise, and a good investment in the future.

In the age of scoial media, engageing with the audience is how revenue is created. As the preservation movement becomes more aligned with the modern world as demographics change, it seems logical that funds be used to broaden and deepen that engagement.

Also, an A1-A2 double header? Get that done, please!

 

Rather than a double header, make it a longer tour over several days, using A1, A2, and A4, Start from London Kings cross, to York with A4, York to Edinburgh A2, Edinburgh to Carlisle A1, Carlistle to Kings cross, non steam leg, Using Deltic.

 

Nice idea, Martin but in this day and age you'd need deep pockets indeed to afford such a tour. It'd certainly be out of my reach.

 

and yet the Great Britain washes its face... ? Is there a GB2025 ? and will it be all 5''s again ?

 

RTC website says so.
https://www.railwaytouring.net/the-great-britain-xvii---april-2025

It depends what you think the market would be for two high price events in a year. Maybe it would be "unique" enough to entice a train load (but it lacks any GWR, Southern or LMS locos)

 

There is a underused A3 as well!!

 

Observation ! -- 2024 saw the RTC GB tour and the Steam Dreams Welsh Dragon both multi day / loco tours.

 

There is certainly something to be said for an event of some sort involving A1, A2, A3 and A4. A 2-day trip along similar lines to Martin's suggestion might be viable, with Preston possibly the loco-change point on the return, about halfway between Edinburgh and Euston.