Tornado

It does sometimes seem a bit like Red Bull, a PR company that also do other things

 

How did the present chair come to be involved with the trust ? it just seems strange someone from a military background, not an engineering one should become chair of a company that other than the name on the engine, has no link to the military .

 

A successful background in setting up and managing railway museums, not building or operating locomotives. The locos seem to feature less and less in the bulletins from the trust. I think the future of Darlington Works is precisely that, a museum. It seems to me that the pristine interior of the new building will never be sullied with grubby bits of dismantled locos like the old works. It will house a beautifully polished A1 and an immaculate completed (hopefully) P2 when they are out of service - which looks like being much of their time. The Trust seems to have changed from its original aim. In military terms that's called "mission creep".

 

He was also in charge of the NRM when the final stages of 60103's initial botched overhaul was rushed though, and he was MD of the Wensleydale Railway that went from 22 miles down to 15 while he was in charge. He left the railway two months ago according to Companies House.

 

And that's sad. If a person wants 'polished machines' try the NRM.
It was different in the days of David Elliot and Mark Allatt

 

I wouldn’t exactly call it successful!

 

E-mail just arrived from the A1SLT:

✨ CHRISTMAS AT THE ✨
NENE VALLEY RAILWAY

Passenger trains on 18th and 20th December, driver experience on 19th December.

We are pleased to announce that No. 60163 TORNADO will be helping the Nene Valley Railway with its Christmas on the Railway Trains. As well as a popular extra Driving Experience Course on 19th December, No. 60163 will also be hauling the Christmas Services on 18th and 20th December.

Places are now on sale for the Driving Experience course on 19th December where you will take to the regulator to Drive and Fire the locomotive, but book fast to avoid disappointment: there are limited places! For further information and to book click here:
DRIVER EXPERIENCE (https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/496/tornado-driving-experience/705a8b375dbdcc8d610066343ff7419a)
To book to travel behind Tornado on the 18th and 20th please purchase your tickets on line via this link:
CHRISTMAS PASSENGER TRAINS (https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/510/christmas-at-the-railway/58c177af781c55044f9d233621240ae6)

Given the Christmas Specials seem to be eight Mk. 1s and the 'Peak' in T&T, that should give it a little workout.

 

I rather doubt that anyone is getting rich on that.

 

So it now looks like what I had hoped would become an unfulfilled prophecy way back when, has now come to fruition, and Tornado will not return to NR metals for a third consecutive year . One has to wonder just what loss of revenue that might amount to.

 

Without seeming to be defending the indefensible, at this time of year once Christmas has passed no-one wants to turn out for a rail tour; they're cash-strapped paying for Christmas excess, it's dark by four o'clock and generally cold and 'orrible. So let the winter tour hiatus be put to good use ensuring that it's fit for service and unlikely to come unexpectedly to grief on the main line.

 

The Bahamas DE in January is £550 - just sayin'...

I mean, how much would YOU charge for the same with 35028? I doubt it'd be twenty quid.

 

I was more thinking of the much heralded loaded test runs out of TYS in preparation for next season, so any issues arising can be sorted in good time.

 

They'll be loaded runs from PBO instead I suppose - if they can get hold of some rolling stock.

 

We’ve been here before. On the booking page, there are five trips, each for two people. That means a gross income of no more than £6,000 for the day, (maybe less if it doesn’t sell out) from which both the NVR and A1 Trust have to make a worthwhile profit; coal and all consumables have to be paid, and you have to make a contribution to future maintenance. I doubt you could do it for much less.

Tom

 

Indeed, she is earning £ on the Nene Valley benefitting both parties, rather than sat cold in a shed. Any issues can be easily dealt with.
Come new year, Tyseley will be quieter and she can start some mainline trials. This is actually seems a sensible approach rather than trying to meet some artificial deadline.

 

So are you suggesting that TYS as a base is now not happening?

 

We've also been here before where us paupers exclaim 'how much??!!' & then these experiences readily sell out.