Tornado

UK Steam says Thursday.

 

Any one got any times for Thursday's move?

 

Patience dear boy, patience....

How about silly o'clock in the morning like one time last year!

 

Hi Everyone,


Does anyone know when Tornado will visit the Bluebell Railway? They must be one of the few larger railways that haven't had a visit from the A1 Trust.

Thanks

 

The word after her cancelled visit in August 2010 was that she'd visit when the line connected to EG.

 

It would be nice to have her at the Bluebell and it was a shame she missed the 50th Anniversary Gala. However in one of the Bluebell Extension threads it seems that something is being planned for the extension through to East Grinstead possibly next year so she could turn up then. It seems unlikely for this year as the only gala the line seems to be having is the Sussex Branchline Weekend in October and she is due at the East Lancs that weekend. She'll get close on July 5th when she hauls a Cathedrals Express from Lewes to Oxford. Although after this trip there is a gap until August 9th.

 

It seems like Tornado doing a lot of tours around Norwich in August!

 

Probably because she is booked at the NNR's gala.

 

Not that many, one tour going into Norwich from London and one Norwich to Winchester after the NNR visit. No booked VSOE's as of yet, perhaps that'll be announced nearer the time
Matt

 

Would Tornado not be out of gauge on the East Grinstead mainline? I'm sure I've read either on here or the Bluebell e-mail group that the only type of locos that could be in gauge would be a Black 5 or a light pacific loco?

 

On another thread a few weeks ago there was a post that parts of the Southern were now out of gauge to steam except for a Black 5 and 60163 as the former is a smaller loco all round and 60163 was constructed with a more restricted loading gauge in mind. So maybe 60163 could get to EG.

 

See http://railways.national-preservati.../20721-bluebell-track-laying-south-eg-52.html

Note the Past Time trip refered was to be hauled by Tangmere, before it was cancelled.

 

through Woking heading for Southall:

Zenfolio | Simon Whittingham Photography | A1 Class 4-6-2 no 60163 Tornado | Photo 1

 

60163 is ok for the EG line clearance wise, but im not sure about axle loadings, she will fit the SE section routes which are far more restricted than either central or south western routes so in theory she should be able to go anywhere as long as she is with in the axle loading .
I popped in at Ropley wednesday and she was in steam ready i imagine for her FTR, As several Southall based locos have now used the facilities at the MHR to do Winter maintanance or boiler exams is this likily to become a regular thing, Mainliners using the workshops for maintanance , can see some of the hoskings engines working down to ropley for attension from time to time because there are people with in the hoskins empire who trust the MHR to do a good job plus they can do a though test that would be probamatic if they were to sit down on the main line

 

Well said Martin and yes it does look like winter maintenance will become a regular thing for mainline Loco,s at Ropley.

Good for the income of the MHR too.

Regards
Chris

 

As long as the MHR have the resources to look after their own engines as well...

 

guessing it has headed back to southall today? saw it from the messroom on lunch on the wilsden line crossing at the London end of OOC.

 

Indeed, should have arrived at Southall 14.51.

Regards
Chris:

 

I was told at the end of last year that the JH loco's would come to the MHR for contract work. 70000 is on great form after her visit to the works at Ropley in November. Bittern is apparently coming back sometime this year for a visit to the works. Perhaps 6100 could come and finally get sorted out............................

 

....and so much noisier. Well done MHR. <BJ>