LE movements, ECS and test runs 2025

One thing never to expect from a cat is loyalty, if another home offers better food, accommodation etc then they may well move out either temporarily or permanently. Our cat of many years ago, Morty, despite being very well fed by us, had at least two other houses where he went for extra meals and in addition he used call at the nearby school kitchen for leftovers - but he always came home!

 

Don't shoot the messenger if it isn't but it's been suggested online that this is the NRM's class 108 DMU being dragged by a class 37?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:74539/2025-04-23/detailed

 

Yes. Carnforth for tyre turning first, then on to Barrow Hill for repairs afterwards, according to a post on wnxxforum.co.uk.

 

Today’s path from Coleham to 10A has been activated - Tornado returns?

 

There was a Facebook post yesterday about lighting it up in advance of a return today, so looks like it's all go.

 

Tornado on it's turning move at Shrewsbury a few minutes ago.


Screenshot cropped from Railcam.

I'm not keen on that dark green livery.

Dave B

 

You can please some of the people some of the time, most people most of the time but not all of the people all of the time, personally I think its a superb paint job

 

I'm not much of a fan of it either to be honest, but that's not going to stop me booking on tours with it or going to see it. It's fantastic to have it back on the mainline once again.

 

Doesn't appear so.

Incidentally looking this move up on RTT I notice there is a 'Carnforth Steamtown South' now listed which I assume is the new access point into 10A

 

On the move 43 minutes behind schedule

 

Tornado passing Brock working 5Z63 1314 Coleham Lmd to Carnforth Steamtown 24/04/25.

 

Tornado leaves Shropshire.

Leaving the Coleham depot to turn ; English Bridge by the Abbey and about to leave Shropshire at Whitchurch.

 

24th April 2025 60163 Tornado Engine Move

seen at Forton

 

Any idea on how and when 45212 is getting to Bristol ready for Sunday's leg of the GB tour? Can't see anything on realtime.

 

Possibly these:

Saturday
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U50782/2025-04-26/detailed

Sunday
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U46601/2025-04-27/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U46602/2025-04-27/detailed

 

It was a lovely sunny day and a journey to see Tornado was almost mandatory. There was only one obstacle, I had an eye test appointment in the early afternoon - would I have sufficient time to get to . . . ? The nearest spot is Leyland but I'm not overly fond of the station for northbound trains. After some deliberation I decided to revisit Charnock Richard where I had seen 45699 on Tuesday; the journey would take me 15 mins more than that to Leyland, so fingers crossed. I loaded up my bits and pieces and headed down to the opticians. The tests took a little longer than I (and the optician) had expected and the news was mixed, my specs were fine but my eyes needed replacing - only joking! My eyes had changed slightly, they had changed by a similar amount the previous year and as I didn't change my specs then, they are now "2 steps" away from where they should be. I decided to have new frames and lenses but, as time was pressing, arranged to return tomorrow to choose the frames.

Back in the car a check on RTT showed that Tornado was 45L leaving Coleham LMD, I had more time than I thought (or did I?) Plenty of traffic about but it was moving well and I arrived at the bridge in good time; there was only me! Another check on RTT showed that Tornado was making up the deficit and was only 15L approaching Warrington. I gathered up my stuff and made my way to the bridge, the sun was on "my" side of the line - what a treat! Same as Tuesday but a bit more zoomed in. At this point I was joined by the guy with the camcorder from Tuesday. He returned to his car and came back with a 3 step stepladder which he planted in the middle of the track and was going to use it to allow him to pan round - rather him than me! (he was not a young man). We chatted, he was originally from Darwen and his ex-wife, also from Darwen, lived near to Mrs W (when she was a Miss W) - small world. By now Tornado was in Wigan, the pie capital of the world.

The sun was shining, the birds were singing and Tornado appeared in the far distance - "What a Wonderful World", Oswald sang (inside his head - thankfully). Tornado approached, I waved and got a wave from the driver and whistle in return - thanks! Tornado sped off into the distance, past Balshaw Lane (Jn) and north on the fast line. Very enjoyable, I saw it all - do I really need new specs? 16/17C & 11L



(Maisie notes: Maisie has spent most of the day outside, returning only for meals and the odd cat treat. Mrs W was the designated Maisie servant for some of the afternoon and has now gone out for an evening walk. Maisie came in around 45 mins ago, ate her supper, had a wash and is now curled up asleep on Mrs W's place on the settee. Maisie 1 - Mrs W nil.)

 

Many thanks!