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Vintage Trains 2026

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Michael Whitehouse, Dec 18, 2025.

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  1. Paul42

    Paul42 Resident of Nat Pres

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    See post 229 above onwards.
     
    Paul42, Jul 30, 2026 at 10:54 AM
    #241
  2. Leviathan

    Leviathan New Member

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    Wondering how to interpret this - are they hinting at something in excess of 75mph?

    Nick M.
     
    Leviathan, Jul 30, 2026 at 7:52 PM
    #242
  3. NathanP

    NathanP Well-Known Member

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    It's just marketing. There are around 750 preserved steam locomotives in the UK. Only around 30 of them are approved for mainline use on the national network. As one of those 30, Tornado is therefore "one of the few".
     
    NathanP, Jul 30, 2026 at 9:44 PM
    #243
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  4. Leviathan

    Leviathan New Member

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    I imagine so. Rather creative use of the word 'few'.

    Does Tornado have any current dispensation to operate at more than 75mph? I rather lost track of what happened in that respect.

    Nick M.
     
    Leviathan, Jul 31, 2026 at 12:45 PM
    #244
  5. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    She was cleared for 90mph, but the society chose to operate her at 75mph following her ECML incident and there has been no indication they want anything more since her most recent overhaul.

    She is a very capable locomotive even at 75mph, with a very good acceleration, even with a heavy load. She can also work with VT's water carrier - so makes longer distance trips much more viable without needing a higher limit.
     
    acorb, Jul 31, 2026 at 1:54 PM
    #245
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  6. Leviathan

    Leviathan New Member

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    Thanks Alan, excellent summary of things.

    Nick M.
     
    Leviathan, Jul 31, 2026 at 1:57 PM
    #246
  7. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

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    Very good acceleration in relation to what? I watched a diesel hauled excursion leaving York a few days ago and the driver was gunning it. Even so a bemused passer by was heard to comment about how slow its departure was in comparison with "normal" trains. Heritage traction, be it steam or diesel, has abysmal acceleration in comparison to what is now normal on the network and there is no point in kidding ourselves otherwise.

    Peter
     
    torgormaig, Jul 31, 2026 at 2:29 PM
    #247
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