The Talisman 7th February

Looking forward to seeing Tornado for the first time on this trip.

Hoping to find a decent spot for photography around the Grantham area, any ideas?

thanks Neville..

 

I shall be lineside somewhere near Newark, possibly Carlton on Trent. Can't wait to see her, shame she'll not be working too hard by this point!

 

Having missed seeing the trips last weekend, I'm looking forward to this! Hoping to see it somewhere in the Peterborough / Huntingdon area.

 

I see from the A1 website there are some time changes to the run on Saturday.No stop in Carlton Loop but a water stop at Retford. That should mean an interesting departure up Gamston Bank.I know where I'm heading.

http://www.simon582.fotopic.net/

 

After last weeks desperate rush by rail and replacement coach service, to get to York in time to catch the train, I'm taking no chances. I'm booking a room in the Ibis, 500 yards from York station, and driving there the night before.

 

Eaton Lane by any chance? The late, great Keith Pirt took many a wonderful picture there.

 

Hmm I'm thinking Ally Pally \/

Tommo

 

Same here or Finsbury Park, does anyone have times for the ECS to Ferme Park/ Old Oak?

Thanks

Mike M. ( 70c )








?

 

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t09/t0207a.htm

 

Thanks Jamie,

Obviously they have been put on since i last looked.

Very helpful.

Thanks again.

Mike M. ( 70c) =P~

 

Went into Wetherby today at lunch and i picked up a newspaper because of the headline, can't remember it off the top of my head, but the story was about how members of the public won't be allowed onto Darlington station on Saturday to see the train depart... i can't remember the full story as i was in a rush but has anyone else read the same story?

 

An extract from today's Northern Echo :

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4 ... _buffers_/

 

They changed their mind again:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4 ... rnado_ban/

By the way, the naming will be 19 Feb, at York station. No mention who by, but I heard rumours at the weekend it will be Prince Charlie and Dobbin.

 

Taken from the A1 website:

A National Express East Coast spokesman said:
"We are fully supportive of the Tornado project, and have noted the depth of local feeling in Darlington today. In light of that, we accept this was the wrong decision and we have acted quickly to fix it. We will welcome all visitors to the station on Saturday."
Mark Allatt, chairman of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, added:
"We are absolutely delighted that the general public will be able to view Tornado as she departs from her Darlington birthplace on Saturday. We are all very grateful to National Express East Coast for making this a very special day for Darlington and Tornado's supporters."
Tornado will be in Darlington main line station between 06:00-06:30hrs and 07:35-07:45hrs

Please can I just reiterate that the Trust does indeed appreciate the speed with which National Express has changed its decision. We have worked very closely with them today to make this happen. And I would like to put on record our thanks for all the cooperation and assistance we have received from National Express East Coast station staff at Newcastle, Durham and Darlington over the last few weeks.

We expect many people will wish to see Tornado at Darlington: please follow the advice of the station staff and stewards there so that everyone can have an enjoyable morning. As ever the Trust would request that everyone visiting Darlington Station on Saturday or watching Tornado lineside as she heads south abides by the rules of the railway and only goes where permitted.

Many thanks.

Alexa Stott
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust

 

The banning of enthusiasts and public alike to see off Tornado from its birthplace, Darlington astounds me. The Northern Echo item echoes the views of millions of people in the UK, I am sure. It is truly ludicrous. It is Health & Safety gone mad.
But there is a solution for those who really do want to be on the platform to see her off. And that is, as Northern Echo reader eddief of Bishop Auckland wrote at 12:40pm on Wed 4 Feb 09
"a return ticket to Heighington costs £2.30 - no doubt North Road will be cheaper. Everyone should just but 1 of these - they can't evict you if you have a ticket."
Perfect!
This reminds me of Reading station in Berkshire. It bans anyone wishing to go on to the platforms to photo steam. In the end I thought of a loophole and bought a return child ticket (I am over 50!!) for just £1.10, processed it through the platform machine and enjoyed the sights and sounds of mainline at Reading station for as long as I liked. I was, and never am to this day, challenged by anyone.
So go on, do it on Saturday. You are not breaking any laws and the fact that the train to Heighington may not be leaving until 11am cannot prevent you entering the platform to see a 7.45am departure!
I hope to see her arrive at Kings Cross. I dread to think what restrictions may be in place there on her first ever visit to the Capital. I DO expect hundreds of people to be out to see her arrive though!

 

Oooops!
I should have checked out later postings.
Seems they National Express has relented and will allow passengers on to the platform.
Common sense has prevailed!

 

Just got back from watching her pass Colton Junction. Looked fab but running 5 - 10 mins late, nothing she couldn't make up i would think 8-[ - PTK

 

I've just returned from seeing her at Hurn Road just past Tallington before Peterborough, she past us 5 minutes before she was due at Tallington so running about 8 minutes early.

Video will end up on Youtube shortly.

 

Right on time past me south of Retford looking fantastic in the sun & snow.

http://simon582.fotopic.net/p56275435.html

Simon.

 

Wonderful choice of location. Will take some beating to better it. Thanks for posting the link.