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VT: The Great Northern with Tornado - 26/09/26

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by NathanP, May 20, 2026.

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  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    My understanding is that amber is an advisory ruling that suggests a diesel presence not a requirement that it assists.
     
    Big Al, Sep 22, 2026 at 7:41 AM
    #41
  2. LittleRedTrain

    LittleRedTrain Member

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    Ticket received this afternoon.

    Confirmed times include:
    Normanton (Outward) | Wakefield Kirkgate (Return)
    Depart 08:50 | Arrive 19:29

    Route guide confirms that Tornado is planned to run unassisted Hellifield-Carlisle, and that the diesels will top & tail the train after Tornado comes off at Darlington on the return.

    I'm in Coach E, will be a bit of a marathon day, but hopefully well worth it, quite a few sections I haven't done behind steam before.
     
    LittleRedTrain, Sep 23, 2026 at 6:19 PM
    #42
  3. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    True Al. I believe Amber requires the driver of the steam loco up front and the diesel driver take into account the lineside conditions, with the latter assisting when they feel it's necessary. Hopefully that will be not at all. Our experience with VT under Amber has been mixed in the past; most of the wrong type. But Saturday is another day so fingers and toes crossed for an excellent day out with 60163.
     
    1020 Shireman, Sep 24, 2026 at 12:05 AM
    #43
  4. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    Any times for the return from Carlisle to Darlington yet???
     
    guycarr360, Sep 25, 2026 at 12:46 PM
    #44
  5. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    On RTT. Been up for a while.
     
    Bulleid Pacific, Sep 25, 2026 at 12:59 PM
    #45
  6. andyjhatton

    andyjhatton New Member

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    andyjhatton, Sep 25, 2026 at 1:12 PM
    #46
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  7. Bodorganboy

    Bodorganboy Member

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    Can anyone tell me where does Tornsdo join tomorrow's Great Northern . All I can see on RTT is a note saying there is a change of traction at Hellifield?
     
    Bodorganboy, Sep 25, 2026 at 7:02 PM
    #47
  8. andyjhatton

    andyjhatton New Member

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    Shoul
    At the outset, from New Street.
     
    andyjhatton, Sep 25, 2026 at 7:09 PM
    #48
  9. Bodorganboy

    Bodorganboy Member

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    Thank you.
     
    Bodorganboy, Sep 25, 2026 at 7:12 PM
    #49
  10. Michael Whitehouse

    Michael Whitehouse New Member

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    Network Rail's fire index shows orange for the S&C tomorrow, so we expect Tornado to be unassisted over that route. The 47 comes off before the climb which is why the times show a loco change at Hellifield. The Eastern Region shows red so steam likely to be assisted there. The 37 joins for the return when Tornado comes off the train. Tornado is already on the train ready for tommorrow's New Street start. Sleep well
     
    Michael Whitehouse, Sep 25, 2026 at 7:32 PM
    #50
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  11. 16Ventnor

    16Ventnor Member

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    Departed New Street RT and now at Coleshill. We’re near front so can’t say if diesel on rear is doing anything. Neil
     
    16Ventnor, Sep 26, 2026 at 6:34 AM
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  12. ficksberglion

    ficksberglion New Member

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    A gap in the fog at Milford. 60163 Milford-LR.jpg
     
    ficksberglion, Sep 26, 2026 at 8:39 AM
    #52
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  13. 16Ventnor

    16Ventnor Member

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    Crossed Tangmere on Carnforth York at Skipton.
     
    16Ventnor, Sep 26, 2026 at 10:42 AM
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  14. 16Ventnor

    16Ventnor Member

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    Here we go…..no DL on rear.
     
    16Ventnor, Sep 26, 2026 at 11:09 AM
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  15. Davo

    Davo Well-Known Member

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    Seemed to be alot of photographers and people out hiking on the ribble valley route out to see 60163 unassisted up the S.&.C line more than usually perhaps unassisted steam is becoming a show puller for mainline steam again? (I could be wrong)
     
    Davo, Sep 26, 2026 at 12:49 PM
    #55
  16. Shep Woolley

    Shep Woolley Part of the furniture Friend

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    THe Great Northern 1 NP.jpg

    LNER Peppercorn Class A1 No. 60163 'Tornado' makes a fine sight and sound as it works 1Z60 'The Great Northern' over Church Viaduct in Settle towards Helwith Bridge and and on to Carlisle
     
    Shep Woolley, Sep 26, 2026 at 1:50 PM
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  17. 45698Mars

    45698Mars Member

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    45698Mars, Sep 26, 2026 at 3:58 PM
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  18. GBoreham

    GBoreham Member

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    Footage of 60163 passing Gargrave, looking out of the waiting room on the down platform then roaring past Helwith Bridge gaining considerable time on the schedule, along with 2 short shorts of 34067.

     
    GBoreham, Sep 26, 2026 at 5:58 PM
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  19. LittleRedTrain

    LittleRedTrain Member

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    Got to Darlington pretty much on time and swapped locos, but left 30min late due to a passenger taken ill, Fingers crossed it's not too serious.
     
    LittleRedTrain, Sep 26, 2026 at 6:47 PM
    #59
  20. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Just stepped off at Darlington for a quicker route back south.

    A great day managed well. by loco and crews. Given all the nonsense going on around us especially at Carlisle we did well to get back to Darlington only a few minutes late. In the process there was clever use of the schedule to avoid pathing stops.

    The only significant challenge was the climb to Ribblehead with 12 for 450 gross. Hellifield to Ribblehead in under 26 min was good. And when did a pure steam charter last go over the S & C?
     
    Big Al, Sep 26, 2026 at 6:53 PM
    #60
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