Vintage Trains 2025

Looks like final arrival into Dorridge was 63 minutes late.
I bailed at Nuneaton as it was clear there was no chance I was making my planned 28 minute connection at Dorridge, and going via Coventry would get me home 40 minutes earlier than waiting at Dorridge for the 2359 train south, albeit at the cost of an extra ticket!

Bit unfortunate that the day had to end this way, was otherwise a good day out with everything running well and Tornado appearing to be on good form.

Looking forward to the announcement of VT's 2026 programme (and keeping fingers crossed for some pickups at my local station again, so no need to worry about hotels or connections!)

 

Back to Conisbrough for the second VT The Christmas White Rose to York and return charter this time with A1 No 60163 Tornado. Everything was going well with twenty minutes to go then two people and a dog turned up and you guessed it. I'll not go into detail simply not worth the time and effort but some PS work left hand side to remove the offenders hence the vignette filter tool.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/

 

Nothing to do with whatever VT ended up doing, more a practical question probably showing my ignorance.

Would it have been possible for 60163 to have been marshalled behind the castle in the formation, but essentially DIT (albeit in steam) and would this need a driver or just support crew on footplate to ensure that water levels and fire were maintained as required? I know its extra weight to drag around but is there anywhere York-Tyseley that is particularly onerous gradient wise?

 

20years ago when I was support crew we used to do this, and indeed on occasion provide assistance to the sometimes ailing diesel on the front, but it was a practice that wasn’t approved of then. Today, not a chance I would think.

 

Regarding the duff hydrant, this isn’t the first time that this has happened by some margin.
Do these hydrants not get checked beforehand?

 

Great shot, thanks for sharing. Almost feels like i'm there!

 

Action from yesterday

 

Thank you for that great comment.

 

Tornado seen on the approach to Loughborough at Little Moor Lane, on the fast line but slowing to cross on to the slow beyond the station.

 

Will the Shakespeare Express only be one return trip from Birmingham - Stratford next year instead of two?

 

Will that be first class only with no standard class seats available?

 

The Shakespeare Express (operationally) remains the same. The changes are: (1) the Sunday lunch departure from SOA is now branded Shakespeare Pullman to differentiate the restaurant car offer; and (2) First class is introduced with an afternoon tea service (either from BSH or SOA). Tourist class (at a bargain £25) is retained but the capacity will depend on Pullman and First bookings and group Tourist bookings