The Royal Borderer, Fri 22 October; 60163 Doncaster - Edinburgh - York; t1022a

I notice that UKsteam shows this as 60163 Doncaster - Edinburgh - York whereas the Pathfinder site still says it's steam from York to Edinburgh and back.
The Pathfinder site also mentions that the official lighting up of the Royal Border Bridge has been postponed to 27 November so I'm not sure if there will be any 'lighting up' for tour participants.

 

When the tickets arrived it mentioned in the letter that the lighting up of the viaduct had been postponed to 27 November. However it also stated that a special event would be staged for the tour participants at Berwick though exactly what this is will be will only be announced on the train on the day. The A1 locomotive Trust website also still says steam from York but I'm sure uksteam will be correct. There may have been a late change.

 

Looking at all the times it looks like a marathon day out for the support crew !
Brian

 

From Mr Watts on wnxx:
Regarding the 22nd October run from Doncaster etc to Edinburgh and back 'Tornado' is now confirmed as working Doncaster - Edinburgh - York [then loco and pob to the ELR], with a 67 finishing off York to Doncaster.

 

As expected, UKsteam proved right again; A1 Trust website now shows 60163 working Doncaster - Edinburgh - York.

 

60163 left York on time at 0748.

 

Wcrc class 37 just passed over Chester le street viaduct heading south... Not broken is it?

 

Tornado is operated by dbs not WCRC

 

Yes, I had realised that after my posting... Passed through chester le street on time.

 

She looked good passing Hett, just before 9. The 37 passed there a couple of minutes later - 37676 if anyone's interested

 

Just passed cramlington just south of Morpeth.

 

The 37 is heading down to York to bring 37025 and 37906 to Bo'ness later today. Due off York 1045, Newcastle 1225, Berwick 1330.

 

LNER A1 No.60163 'Tornado' heads for Edinburgh with 'The Royal Borderer'.

Seen crossing Chester Le Street Viaduct and passing Cramlington. Video coverage is available on the 'Part 5' DVD.

Available Here

Edit:
Update from return at Chester Le Street station. Also available via the same link.

 

Loco put in an excellent performance (I gather Edinburgh-Berwick was the fastest ever recorded for steam), shame those of us not in dining didn't get the chance to hear the loco - despite the bid to NR being for the train not to reverse in Edinburgh, it did so coach A was at the back all day. Seems to be happening time after time on steam tours, and I know I'm not the only one who is getting fed up of this to the extent it is going to affect my future decisions on whether to bother booking on trips or not.

 

Just a little look at Tornado's day out yesterday. With the drama of the Royal Bridge in front of us the rain stared to fall, the wind blew and a waggon stared reversing down on the street below! With everything being delayed we missed the train to overtake Tornado and had to suffer an hour in the Castle pub with it's roaring fire, comfy sofas and real ale!!
We made our way north past the stunning Northumberland scenery and I was able to film The Royal Bordered leaving Edinburgh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK5iVX_anO0

 

few pics at darlington last night 2203-05 hours:
http://richardsteampics.weebly.com/2010-10-22.html

richard

 

For the record 60163 load 14/510tons,Edinburgh - Berwick distance 57.36 miles in 54:40.The first mile a minute on that section in preservation,unless someone else knows any that I am not aware of.

 

Best tour i've seen for a long while, Was more or less on time at a bright Prestonpans going to Waverley, However the return was the best bit when it was working hard passing Seton (South of Prestonpans)

Pic(s) to follow (only if Railpictures accept them)

 

Tornado on the Royal Borderer 22 October 2010

Tornado headed a Pathfinder Doncaster – Edinburgh tour, timed to co-ordinate with the illumination of the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick upon Tweed, to celebrate its the 160th anniversary. Tornado set off briskly from York and after reaching 74 mph at Alne, stayed at or above that speed right through Thirsk and Northallerton to the outskirts of Darlington, where we were due to stop. Further stops at Durham, Tyne Yard (for water) and Newcastle meant only occasional flashes of high speed, but after the pathing stop at Alnmouth we flew along the beautiful Northumberland coastline at well over 70 until slowing for Tweedmouth and Berwick. After watering, Tornado climbed into the Scottish hills then rattled down Cockburnspath bank and along the Firth of Forth in the seventies until the edge of the Edinburgh conurbation.
After a three hour break in Edinburgh, we were off back to Berwick at breakneck speed. 63 by Craigentinny, 71 by Monktonhall and onwards and upwards until we had to climb Cockburnspath bank, dropping only to 52 and swiftly onwards to Berwick. This leg was done in better than even time, and we were told that it was a new record for steam.
At Berwick, something completely different had been laid on for us by Berwick History Society. The inauguration of the illuminations under the Royal Border Bridge had been deferred for a month, but we had had a special viewing laid on for us. Eight buses, including two London Routemasters, had been laid on to take us to the banks of the Tweed to view the illuminations at dusk. The multi-coloured, computerised LED displays were very impressive even at twilight and as we left Berwick in the dark behind Tornado, the view back to the bridge from Tweedmouth was absolutely stunning.
There was more good running through Northumberland, but Tornado was more restrained for the rest of the journey home, despite an absence of conflicting traffic. But it had been a great day out, with some memorable turns of speed and a fascinating two hour visit to Berwick.

See twelve pictures at http://pjhrailpics.fotopic.net

Peter, on a frosty, moonlit Manchester evening
http://pjhrailpics.fotopic.net

 

She looked good passing Pegswood northbound, seemed to be accelerating as well.