THE CUMBRIAN COAST TORNADO

HF Railtours are promoting Tornado's maiden voyage around the Cumbrian coast on April 14th. Starting at Crewe and picking up at Warrington, Wigan and Preston,around the coast to Carlisle and returning via the Settle- Carlisle, then Hellifield, Blackburn and return to Crewe. Steam hauled throughout by Tornado. Bookings through Pathfinder Tours.

 

Am i right in thinking the stock will be Aircons and/or Pullmans owing to the tight clearences Maryport - Carlisle ?.

 

http://www.hf-railtours.co.uk/

Great Briton Stock.

 

"Gresley" would look nice with that stock.

 

Is this stock from the Blue Pullman that was hauled by diesels a few years ago. Looks nice as will Tornado when going over the bridge at Grange Over Sands.

 

Won't this stock be in use on GBIII ? According to my notes the GBIII working on that day will be 46115 ( Edinburgh - Carlisle ) and 60019 ( Carlisle - Preston thence southbound to Euston or Victoria - final destination yet to be confirmed )

 

Surely GBIII will use a WCRC dual-braked or vac-braked maroon set, as before? HF are using what look like Mk3 (or late Mk2) air-con coaches in dark blue and cream - very smart, very comfy and as Stuart says, would look splendid (if slightly anachronistic) behind a blue streak!

 

the clarification of which set may be found here:-

http://railways.national-preservation.com/showthread.php/22164-Amex/page2

one poster suggests the blue and white will become WCRC red, which sounds right if they've bought them.

 

"The Great Briton" set is owned by Riviera Trains and is their premier set of MK 2 vehicles which are air conditioned and air braked.

 

Due to time wasters who cannot pay two seats are available in First Class Plus and two seats are available in Pullman Style Dining. Contact Pathfinder Tours office on 01453 835414.

 

I shall be travelling in Standard class, coach B. I have booked a B&B in Crewe due to the Stupid O'Clock start. Tornado is on display at Crewe Heritage Centre over the weekend and Monday/Tuesday, so I may get there early enough to visit.

As a kid I watched steam trains run round Morecambe Bay, I am looking forward to going on one again.

 

Looks like being a good trip this - never thought I'd see the day when an A1 would work around the full length of the Cumbrian Coast before returning over Ais Gill. What fantastic times these are!

 

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Looked and sounded superb as she purred by Woodacre (around 20/25 down). A couple of families with kids there to watch her glide by - the Tornado effect marches on !

http://johnleyland736.mediaobject.co.uk/p64250374.html

 

Shame Ralph - but the join doesn't interfere too much.

My version (also from Acton Bridge) can be seen at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRoD2XhedTg

Very similar to Ralph's but from the sunny side and no going away shot but with the bonus of a small cameo from Mr. Ralph (or at least his back).

Chris

 

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