Bellmond Pullman 18/06/16

For those wondering why Tornado is still stuck in the NRM, this was posted on the A1 Trust FB page ....

Official statement from The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust

'Tornado' was de-registered from the Rolling Stock Library at midnight on Friday 10th June. There were no reasons for this in terms of paperwork or mechanical condition of our locomotive. Investigations have shown that this was caused by a computer error associated with recent new software introduced by the RSL. As a consequence, the locomotive was unable to haul a train for UK Railtours on Saturday 11th June nor return to London in time for today’s ‘Belmond British Pullman’. We are pursuing this with the RSL to ensure it doesn't happen again to ourselves and hopefully anyone else. We are also addressing the financial impact this has had on the Trust with relevant parties. When resources allow, Tornado will return to London and resume her calendar of operations.

 

Great performance with a heavy train, and the dry rails helped to avoid slipping. My shot from Betchworth.

 

It has worked he train before as has Tangmere, both with no problems.

 

Schools class 4-4-0s regularly took 13 on the Wolverhampton to Hastings and Brighton summer through trains and I saw Moguls on these as well

 

Hi Don, but 13 Maunsells/Bulleids etc would be around 420 tons on the drawbar - no mean feat for a Schools on this route - but not close to the Belmond load which I believe is well over 500 tons (I seem to remember 560 but can't find the reference right now). Whatever, it was a fine performance by 34052/46.

Mike

 

Yes an old 13 would have been around 420-430 tons tare or 450-460 full. 10 Pullmans and bogie vans is about 510 tons tare or 540 tons full.

Don