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VT: The Shap Mountaineer with Tornado - 28/03/26

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by 30567, Dec 19, 2025.

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  1. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Very messy timetable north of Crewe - lots of loops and slow line running. Currently held outside Preston couple of mins early - not much chance of any fast running.
    Hopefully better north of Preston.
     
    acorb, Mar 28, 2026 at 10:43 AM
    #41
  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    OK, it's messy but I have just registered that this trip is one of four steam trips today on the Big Railway and two of them are running without assistance. Not bad for 2026, I think.
     
    Big Al, Mar 28, 2026 at 11:24 AM
    #42
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  3. dublo6231

    dublo6231 Member

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    Well it’s taken a massive chunk off the schedule…10E at the summit - be interested to hear about this climb; sounds a fairly good one.
     
    dublo6231, Mar 28, 2026 at 12:04 PM
    #43
  4. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    42mph over Shap
     
    mattspencer, Mar 28, 2026 at 12:04 PM
    #44
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  5. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Sound was sensational, never heard Tornado sound like that before.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2026 at 1:53 PM
    acorb, Mar 28, 2026 at 12:06 PM
    #45
  6. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    Certainly was. I'm looking forward to seeing some photos and videos of the run later.
     
    mattspencer, Mar 28, 2026 at 12:15 PM
    #46
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  7. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    That wasn't meant as a criticism, just a statement of reality of trying to squeeze steam onto the WCML in 2026. That its still possible is incredible and today's run has been right out of the top drawer.
     
    acorb, Mar 28, 2026 at 12:17 PM
    #47
  8. TH Railway Videos

    TH Railway Videos Member

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    Sunshine on Salterwaith IMG_5298.jpeg
     
    TH Railway Videos, Mar 28, 2026 at 12:26 PM
    #48
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  9. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Forty anything over Shap is none too shabby with a Class 8.
     
    Big Al, Mar 28, 2026 at 12:30 PM
    #49
  10. DVT01

    DVT01 New Member

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    Load 11 as well
     
    DVT01, Mar 28, 2026 at 12:33 PM
    #50
  11. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Just so. Oxenholme to Shap in 20 minutes is good. DoG did it in 19.5 but had one coach less. But let's face it, both are cracking locos and both sets of times sit with each other pretty well. Someone on board will have more detail I am sure.
     
    Big Al, Mar 28, 2026 at 12:40 PM
    #51
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  12. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    I’ve been over the top at 49 with both Tornado and DoG long before the days of a box on the back. Can’t remember the loads off hand but I can find them
     
    Sheff, Mar 28, 2026 at 2:18 PM
    #52
  13. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Ready for the right away at Carlisle.
    20260328_154305.jpg
     
    acorb, Mar 28, 2026 at 3:53 PM
    #53
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  14. Spike

    Spike New Member

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    Early in its journey north, Tornado climbs towards Searchlight Lane Junction on the Norton Bridge cut off line. IMG_1185.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2026 at 5:55 PM
    Spike, Mar 28, 2026 at 4:05 PM
    #54
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  15. Keith Sergeant

    Keith Sergeant Member

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    The CME + Shap mountaineer passing Oxenholme
     
    Keith Sergeant, Mar 28, 2026 at 4:59 PM
    #55
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  16. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Compare and contrast...
     
    Big Al, Mar 28, 2026 at 5:09 PM
    #56
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  17. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Quite remarkable climb to Ais Gill due to 20mph TSR a couple of miles from the summit. The recovery was quite extraordinary, to clear the summit at 45mph.
     
    acorb, Mar 28, 2026 at 5:39 PM
    #57
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  18. Where's Mazeppa?

    Where's Mazeppa? Member

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    This may be a long shot, but looking back at the records, could your recollection possibly relate to the Border Raider run on 5th July 2014? A directly comparable Load 11 for 388 tare/ 415 gross. The climbing summit (37m 20c) was breasted at 44 mph. If "over the top" refers to the summit sign (37m 50c), speed had recovered to 48 mph at that point. Ring any bells??
     
    Where's Mazeppa?, Mar 28, 2026 at 5:42 PM
    #58
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  19. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Tornado in 2014 went over the top at 43 and ran from Oxenholme to the summit in a tad over 18 minutes with 11 on. Running time to Carlisle from starting at Carnforth was 65 minutes and that included a tsr to 25 at Calthwaite plus a slow entry to Carlisle. It passed Penrith in even time from the start, believe it or not.
     
    Big Al, Mar 28, 2026 at 5:52 PM
    #59
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  20. Michelliss

    Michelliss New Member

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    At Shap and Ais Gill
     
    Michelliss, Mar 28, 2026 at 7:50 PM
    #60
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