60163 North Briton 24/2/18

Sadly in our first class coach (wife's birthday, like me a covenanter) , most I would say. I find this pretty depressing and must make " the volunteers who must have worked tirelessly to repair the issue only to have it reoccur" wonder why they bother sometimes if it's fine to pulled around by a diesel with a mobile bonfire for smoke effects.

 

Yes, but the time it takes to get to 90mph can be an issue and remember, it's the only engine passed for this speed. Both a 2CV and a Ford Mondeo can do 70 mph, but which one would you prefer to join fast-moving traffic in from a junction? Soon it will be difficult on the ECML to find a path for even a Deltic.

That is one of many reasons for the building of the P2; it can accelerate relatively quickly to 75 mph (and not slip on certain routes).

 

So would you rather it had been cancelled?

 

Remember that in the high speed heyday of the Deltics they were hauling 8 coach trains. Today's charters are usually much heavier.

 

Indeed they were and of course, HSTs were only eight carriages when they were called Class 254s! Pre- the Mk. 2d/HST era I used to see Deltics with eleven on (mixed Mk.1/Mk. 2a), but the main acceleration in timings came when they were cut down to eight. One way to increase acceleration on charters is to shorten sets, but then you are truly in the realms of cost/benefit analysis. And of course: nothing accelerates faster than an electric.

I understand one of the reasons for the A1SLT going for its own set of modern rolling stock is that it will increase the number of seats available without too much of a weight penalty, I assume they will have retention tanks fitted and of course, if you own it you don't have to pay hire fees!

 

Yes. I would have saved two nights in a hotel and of course the trip cost itself for the two of us. The total point of the trip for us, the reason for us booking (last August!), did not materialise. However I totally appreciate there is a cut off time beyond which it has to run as passengers can't be contacted and that's the risk we take. We just didn't welcome being told we're going to have a lovely day just because the sun is shining. A bit more appreciation by the announcer of what it might mean to the steam fans not to have haulage would have helped.

 

Sadly I have, given the number of A1 trips we do, and have asked if the announcements could perhaps be précised a little and not take place just as the loco is making the most noise setting off from pickups. This weekend of course it could have been made anytime!

 

Agree entirely. I'm a big fan of Tornado and a covenantor to both the A1SLT locos. My disappointments have not been caused by problems with the loco itself - sorry if I gave that impression - and I don't class TPWS as a problem with Tornado. I also found the announcer very irritating - I could have enjoyed the weather and seen Tornado for free by standing at the line side like many others.

 

I don't recall him being that bad on the trip I did with Tornado a couple of years ago when it was the Deltic/Tornado trip; but my travelling companion - a man who does not suffer fools at all - was grimacing and muttering with nearly every announcement on the trip. I found the announcer irritating too in his trying to make light of the matter, but less than my friend did.

As for the cancellation aspect - all I can say is, 'tough', that's the nature of charters and it says "locos may not be available" very clearly in every one you book. You want the disappointment of a steam enthusiast, I refer you to my earlier post where I had booked a trip specifically to ride main-line behind 60009 before she retires, and 46233 was to be a bonus. Instead, I got neither (but I did have some unexpectedly fun companions). Modern traction fails too (nearly thirty years of commuting showed me that) and it had nothing to do with Tornado but its 'box of tricks', it was a run where I'd wager if you'd got on at Cambridge less than 50% of the overall route mileage was by steam, and as for announcement timings, well - I'm not a window-hanger. Plus, where I was seated you'd hardly have heard Tornado on the trip to Carlisle as I was right at the back of the train!

 

No we're not window hangers either but love to hear the loco especially 60163 at speed through the at-seat windows. We were in the middle of the train and just heard Tornado a couple of times nearing Newcastle. As the train was, I presume reversed at Carlisle, what would you estimate was steam's contribution on the run to Tyne. I'm trying to work out whether I can include that line now under steam or whether I'll need to return and try again. Appreciate your help.

 

Well, if it is any help, there were certainly some very loud and obvious exhaust beats along part of the line not long out of Carlisle - couldn't tell you where but you don't get that sort of noise when you're merely coasting along for the ride?

 

Thanks for the info. Looks like it was bit intermittent so I'll hope for the A1 doing a repeat one day. Thanks again.

 

No problem, glad to have helped

 

I had enough of him on the Penzance run to last two lifetimes.