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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. 45698Mars

    45698Mars New Member

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    Tornado climbing Shap at Salterwath and returning south through Waitby Cutting.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/55173801038/in/photostream/
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/55173801043/in/photostream/
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/55173800958/in/photostream/
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/55174023035/in/photostream/
     
    45698Mars, Mar 28, 2026 at 8:39 PM
    #61
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  2. GBoreham

    GBoreham Member

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    Footage of 60163 racing through the Lune Gorge this morning along with 2 shots of 34067 in the same location and at Birkett later.

     
    GBoreham, Mar 28, 2026 at 8:48 PM
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  3. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    It could be. I’ll check my photo files. Are you saying that the summit board isn’t actually at the summit?
    Edit : 2010 & 2019 it appears. I can’t find any evidence of my claim of 49 mph. 2010 was 48 over Grayrigg.
    I’ll check DoG too.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2026 at 10:18 PM
    Sheff, Mar 28, 2026 at 9:48 PM
    #63
  4. steamingyorkshire

    steamingyorkshire Well-Known Member

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    A couple of clips of 60163 'Tornado' from Shap Wells and Moor End near Kirkby Stephen.

    Video Available Here

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    steamingyorkshire, Mar 28, 2026 at 9:57 PM
    #64
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  5. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    OK so both went stonking through the station, whistle blowing and one had a diesel on the back. So one difference, who cares except a very few, most of whom have just watched the video here or were on the platform, contributing nothing. The passengers on both either didn't care or know and still paid for the trip. Yet you still want to try to make your point.
     
    RalphW, Mar 28, 2026 at 10:02 PM
    #65
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  6. iancawthorne

    iancawthorne Well-Known Member

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    iancawthorne, Mar 28, 2026 at 10:24 PM
    #66
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  7. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    Got back back from a great day out at 21.15 and couldn't resist a quick look at the GPS data. Summit speeds Grayrigg (MP26) - 46.7mph, Shap (MP37.25) - 41.5mph, Ais Gill (MP260) - 45.7mph, Ais Gill Summit Board (MP259.75) - 46.8mph. All recorded from the front of the 5th vehicle (of 11). The Ais Gill speeds are remarkable as speed fell below 20mph (TSR?) near the southern portal of Birkett Tunnel (MP264.25)
     
    Oswald T Wistle, Mar 28, 2026 at 10:25 PM
    #67
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  8. ficksberglion

    ficksberglion New Member

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    Passing MP 260 at 45.7mph ( according to Oswald) 60163 Ais Gill 2 bw lr.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2026 at 8:52 AM
    ficksberglion, Mar 28, 2026 at 10:59 PM
    #68
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  9. Shep Woolley

    Shep Woolley Well-Known Member Friend

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    The Shap Mountaineer 1 NP.jpg

    Brighter weather sees LNER A1 Class No. 60163 'Tornado' speeding through Greenholme following 'Tangmere' on the climb to Shap and onwards to Carlisle

    The Shap Mountaineer 2 1 NP.jpg

    The weather having calmed down and Wild Boar Fell as a backdrop, LNER A1 Class No 60163 'Tornado' speeds the return 'Shap Mountaineer' towards Aisgill summit and on to Birmingham
     
    Shep Woolley, Mar 28, 2026 at 11:16 PM
    #69
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  10. DanielsTrains

    DanielsTrains New Member

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    60163 Tornado is captured hauling the Shap Mountaineer at Winsford, Shap Wells, Kirkby Stephen, Langho and Acton Bridge. Enjoy
     
    DanielsTrains, Mar 28, 2026 at 11:17 PM
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  11. TheModster

    TheModster Member

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    A worthwhile day in the north to see Tornado on her first unassisted tour for some time, captured at Winsford, Shap, Wharton Ln nr Kirkby Stephen, Wilpshire Bank & Acton Bridge:
     
    TheModster, Mar 28, 2026 at 11:27 PM
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  12. nige757

    nige757 Member

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    60163 Seen from the west side of Scout Green with no shelter from the severe wind.

     
    nige757, Mar 28, 2026 at 11:57 PM
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  13. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I agree with all that and the lineside spectacle was just that - spectacular plus, of course, free. The point you missed is that one of these trips was not full so the customers had decided. I do accept though that this may be just evidence that the market had exhausted all those who wanted to travel, but I think not.
     
    Big Al, Mar 29, 2026 at 5:53 AM
    #73
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  14. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    Great image, as always, and definitely MP 260 but speed was 45.7mph :):) 41.5mph was at Shap:rolleyes:
     
    Oswald T Wistle, Mar 29, 2026 at 8:03 AM
    #74
  15. ficksberglion

    ficksberglion New Member

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    Thanks, apologies, blame a late night post, it was obviously going rather well.
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2026 at 1:48 PM
    ficksberglion, Mar 29, 2026 at 8:51 AM
    #75
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  16. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Just reflecting on a fantastic day yesterday after a past midnight arrival back in Mid-Wales!
    My GPS made it 380 steam miles yesterday (from Wolverhampton), Tornado didn't miss a beat. Even when the diesel was on the back it hardly did a thing, somewhat surprising when we left Stafford nearly 20mins late with a Voyager up its backside!!
    The hill climbing was superb, but for me the performance of the day was the recovery from 18mph at a TSR up to 45mph over the top of Ais Gill just shows what a fine machine this is. There was plenty of running in the low 70s too. It's a crying shame (not wanting to get into company politics) this loco has no other booked mainline work currently.
    Another note, this trip was made possible by the inclusion of REG the water carrier and Tornado's range extending mods - just one water stop of 30 mins each way for 400+ miles. This made a trip such as this much more viable. A just reward for innovation.
    Finally a huge thanks to all the volunteers from both VT and the A1st, a massive effort from all of you. The train was very professionally run as usual. That such a trip is still possible 60 years after the end of steam is no fluke and quite remarkable, especially on the busiest railway in Europe.
     
    acorb, Mar 29, 2026 at 10:10 AM
    #76
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  17. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    A top show from the A1 which was topped off with a whirlwind passage over the Roof Of England !
     
    LMarsh1987, Mar 29, 2026 at 10:13 AM
    #77
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  18. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Can anyone shed some light on who the crews were for each leg please?
     
    acorb, Mar 29, 2026 at 10:19 AM
    #78
  19. Sam 60103

    Sam 60103 Member

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    I was at Carlisle yesterday and the driver outward was Alastair Meanley with Sam Perry firing. Alastair was still driving when the train left Carlisle with Graeme Bunker-James firing. Kev Cronin was also on the footplate for the return journey and I suspect may have been driving at some point on the return leg.
     
    Sam 60103, Mar 29, 2026 at 10:36 AM
    #79
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  20. Scrat

    Scrat New Member

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    From what I saw and was told on the train,
    Tys to crewe was Martyn Fake driving, Sam Perry firing.
    Crewe to Carlisle Alastair Meanley driving, Graeme Bunker Firing.
    Carlisle to Blackburn Alastair driving and Graeme firing.
    Blackburn to Tyseley Kevin Cronin driving and Simon Horobin firing.
     
    Scrat, Mar 29, 2026 at 11:08 AM
    #80
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