Tornado/A1LT/UKR Kings X/Chesterfield Sat 13th August

Yep.

 

Great day out that we would have done if the Pride of Swindon hadn't been let loose on the North and West. Why on earth aren't more trains run over it?
Out of interest, has Tornado ever taken such a lightweight load over the ECML? We've only ever done it with 12 or 13.

 

The only disappointment for me was that the whole train was sent round the Sheffield loop, so we were near the back in both directions and could hear the loco only occasionally. Oh, and I missed seeing the Duchess: I knew she was due into the Cross shortly after our ECS would have left but I hadn't thought of looking out for her as we approached the end of our trip. But in all other respects it was a great day out.

Besides the aforementioned factors allowing the recovery of almost all the time lost at Grantham, another one was that the reason for stopping at Peterborough would have been to change guards but the new one had joined us at Grantham.

 

Wonder when the last non stop between Grantham and Stevenage took place? I checked my records, and it is the longest non stop steam run I've done this year by about half a mile. GB IX had an unexpected clear run from Aviemore to Perth, followed by 75 miles Lockerbie to Oxenholme Lake District on the same day.

 

Yes very true and hopefully it will get better and maybe back to the very fast times of a few years ago. It could if the train planners trust the big class 8s as NR train control did yesterday.

 

Yes Al it will be in HR 220. We ran the 30 miles between mileposts 96 and 66 at an average of 75.36 mph. I think we also had adverse sigs approaching Stevenage as we accelerated again after the check and before the stop. That wonderful flight past Peterborough made it for me

 

It also demonstrated the case for 90 mph for a few of the top locos. That would have helped convince train control on pathing

 

Regarding 90mph, it is definitely a case of it would if it could. If the owner consents and NR are obliging for the traction inspector to use discretion, this could be a useful option. How this would be reflected in FTRs is beyond me, but presumably it would be something similar to those undertaken on 'Bittern'.

 

Nothing that can't be overcome I am sure. Yesterday was exactly a situation when it would have been useful. Perhaps the issue of trust also comes into this. DBC have a very good record

 

The issue for NR on the 90mph running is that it causes extra wear on the rails. I can't see it happening with Tornado unless it had 10/11 coaches max. The same reason freight only runs at 75mph is due to it's heavy loads.

 

I am suggesting that it could be discretionary depending on circumstances. We only had 11 on yesterday and a 29 ( 31 at the RTT timing point) late start. We were very fortunate that 1E22 the 1600 Edinburgh to KX was 2 late past Grantham but it still caught us around Tallington costing it about 2 minutes, which it all but made up at the Peterborough stop. If we had been running at 90 mph and not 75 then we would have been about 1 minute 30 seconds faster to pass Tallington and probably would not have delayed it all. There are many more FTLs than the few Steam charters that would be affected.

 

Well I guess it's all been said but I would like to add my thanks to everyone , crews, NR, the A1 trust and all who made yesterday one of those days that will keep me smiling for a long time. Wendy and I were lucky to be also in the coach behind the support and therefore had the beautiful noise ringing in our ears all day and I must agree with someone else that what was the icing was that thunder through Peterborough; unforgettable. I was surprised not to see several well known timers and friends on this one. Would I be right to assume Grantham to Stevenage attained even time?

 

There were lots of counter attractions on the main line yesterday and maybe the market is saturated.

Yes 77 minutes 01 seconds for the 77.83 miles. Net time possibly around 72 minutes.

 

Its great to read the generally more up-beat tenor of the posts on this thread relating to the quality of the ECML path available on this occasion and the prospects that this has enabled (and ultimately delivered, it seems) for more purposeful 8P performances along the southern end of the ECML. I can only echo the hope expressed that things will continue to improve (or at the very least that the improvement that the Robin Hood schedule demonstrated will be maintained).

We won't have too long to find out, either. Tornado's next-but-one A1SLT-promoted trip will be the 8th October Magna Carta KGX-Lincoln outing, featuring the same two pick-up points (PBR/ SVG) as the Robin Hood itinerary last Saturday, so directly comparable. I take to heart Big Al's assessment that "it was one of those runs that you would be sorry to have missed, if that kind of thing interests you" (Post 62 above). Well, I was, and it does!! So I'm looking forward to some serious consolation when the paths for 8th October are published!!

 

Before anyone gets to carried away with upping the max speed of steam loco's from 75mph.
Any train carrying a portable headlight is restricted to 75mph.
That's regardless if it is a steam loco, diesel loco, electric loco, HST or Eurostar.
Network rail rule book.
Bitten had to have fixed lamps fitted to it for the 90mph runs.

 

Tornado has fixed headlights, doesn't it?

 

No

Peter in Manchester

 

I doubt you would get them off without a tool kit!