CathEx to Holyhead - 20th April

Passed Tring 8:18am - 7 early

 

Going well at Apsley earlier.

 

On time leaving Bangor

 

A short clip of the departure from Llandudno Junction and past Conwy Castle

LNER A1 60163 Tornado The Cathedrals Express 20Apr13 - YouTube

 

60613 chuffing well passing Cathiron near Rugby this morning in the sun

 

Cracking shot Matt

 

Just heard from a friend who works for Virgin that there may be a problem with this one, currently said to be held at Rhyl. Hoping to be proved wrong .......

......... looking good on RealtimeTrains. I shall give him a slap at the pub later.:fish:

But ... how come RTT is showing as having passed everywhere and being at the stops in Euston? http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50580/2013/04/20/advanced

 

Yes. From The Cathedrals Express official Twitter account a few minutes ago:

"Unfortunately @60163_Tornado has failed due to an issue with brakes at Rhyl."

 

Facebook comments saying air pump failure at Rhyl and rescue loco from Holyhead but not too sure about that.

 

67002 summoned from Holyhead to drag train to Crewe, 92015 to take it forward to Euston.

 

The last two Pacifics at Crewe 20 April 2013

At last, a Saturday with warm spring sunshine saw new-build A1 4-6-2 No 60163 Tornado passing through Crewe on a Cathedrals Express from Euston to Holyhead, on the same day as the last and most powerful Pacific built by British Railways, No 71000 Duke of Gloucester was on public display a few yards away in the Crewe Heritage Centre. The opportunity to photograph these two iconic locomotives during one outing was not to be missed.

12 photos are at Zenfolio | Peter Hewitt's Transport Pictures | The last two Pacifics at Crewe 20 April 2013

Peter, at the end of a fine spring day in the North West
Zenfolio | Peter Hewitt's Transport Pictures

 

One from this morning's assault of Camden Bank. To my great surprise, only myself and one other were there for it!


60163 Camden Bank 20-4-13 (V0914) by TimEaster, on Flickr

What still gets me is how silent she is.....!

 

Reported passing Chester 183 late

 

Latest official Tweet from a few minutes ago:

"On our way back. Have dropped off passengers at Chester @60163_Tornado tucked inside the rescue Class 67 from Holyhead."

 

Berty the bus from Crewe apparently.....

 

from another forum:

Re: Tornado Kettlex 20/04 [was 92 passenger turn tomorrow?]
#653811 by 31410 » Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:28 pm


especially now that I've heard how the MDTR have organised themselves to clear the line . .
1. DRS 57302 is not allowed to rescue kettles blah blah blah safety case
2. ATW driver sourced for 67002 as 1Z99 from HHD.
3. Then 1Z99 to be cancelled as ATW don't have a safety case for their drivers to rescue kettle charters blah blah blah
4. 1Z99 re-instated when the DBS fireman on Tornado can handle 67s
5. ATW driver hands over 67002 to the DBS man to shunt & attach to train
6. Train to be caped at Crewe
7. ATW driver takes 67002 back to Holyhead

Train due into Crewe around 2230hrs where it will be caped as the WCML is closing. Road transport forward

EDIT: 187' late fwd from Rhyl @ 2130hrs . N. Joy

Oh dear!

 

Elf & safety rule again! I sure this didn't happen in BR days. What a load of ballony.