Tornado to York 26-11-09

See times are up on uksteam . Seems to be a pathing stop at Retford outbound and some rather easy timings to Potters Bar and Stevenage . Not what we are use to with Tornado on the ECML .
On the return there is no water stop at Grantham so I guess there must be 2 stops instead . All about fitting in with the big railway I would guess .

 

Might go to Donny for Thurs or Friday for the morning/lunch run,depends which has the better weather,might do Colton the other day...

 

I'm on this, so hope for a good trip whatever the weather. Is the Ranskill stop extra water or just pathing? Only Grantham on the down run.

 

On the return Tornado is taking water at Ranskill and Connington . The best running should be between Ranskill and Peterborough , 67 miles in 64 minutes , but nothing too challenging for Tornado !!

 

I can't remember ever stopping twice for water on the York to King's Cross leg. It's only about an hours run between York/Ranskill and Ranskill/Connington, well just over for the last mentioned. As the attached quote says 'Nothing too challenging'. So the question is 'Why'? Isn't Tornado supposed to have more water capacity? Also at the end of this run it only goes to Hornsey to overnight.

 

The two stops could be as much to with pathing as taking on water but I suppose if a pathing stop is required they may as well have a top up of water while they're at it.

 

Possibly their path wont allow them to take water at Grantham , Hence 2 stops .

 

Quite possibly, to take water at Grantham you have to cross the Down Main twice and I suspect that could be the problem. (Just speculation).

 

anyone know from where and when its getting to hither green sidings?

 

Left on time. Took the steeper tunnel (western) at Copenhagen Tunnel. Was quite a noise. Was not in Platform 1 as usual for steam tours.

 

Bang on time at Copmanthorpe this afternoon, with some rather good lighting conditions... Was a rather bit chilly though... I'll upload the clip after the return this evening.

 

I am puzzled. How is Tornado turned for tomorrows trip. The timings on uksteam don't give any clues. It seems to turn around at the depot overnight if there is a turntable there? I am not sure if the north london line to finsbury park triangular trackage is in operation due to engineering works on the line? Thanks in advance. edit Or use the turntable at Hornsey which I found on googlemaps!!

 

Here is a clip of her easing towards Colton Jcn, just South of York about 13.10hrs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boxRPOnCa9I

 

Excellent running yesterday, even with a relatively easy schedule. Arrived about eight down at Connington but amazingly left almost on time. It was only pencilled in as a short stop anyway, so was probably only a top-up. Late arrival was because of a really slow last two miles into Peterborough. Probably platform occupation? Only my second run with 60163 and the first on ECML where it should really be.
Perhaps it was the time of year, the fairly high price, or the fact people are not finding Tornado such a novelty but there were a number of empties in standard yesterday especially in the buffet car. Be interesting to see the loadings on todays run.

 

Or that people are working on Thursdays and Fridays as these trips are. Strange dates to be running up and down the ECML though.

 

Thought it was strange to run them on consecutive days . Might have worked in the summer months or nearer christmas .
I preferred the 09.00 start Tornado had one saturday in september . A much more challenging path that showed how capable Tornado is . 75 minutes Grantham to York is more like it .

 

Hi all

Included below is a link of the A1 at Lolham Bridges foot crossing yesterday morning taken at a legal vantage point to capture Tonado's run north to York.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oli_g_15/4138072971/sizes/o/

Cheers

 

Vid of Tornado on both days now up,seen at Colton,Burn and Doncaster


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl61n5qojjA

Cheers,
Mark