Tornado KX-York Saturday 14th August 2010 Railtour live code - t0814a

Many thanks to palace gates for posting those section details.
I also would like to echo what Stuart said, it's great to see Tornado back where she belongs and obviously in fine form.
Any news of how today's run is doing?

 

I saw Tornado go through Doncaster, then caught the 10.00 ex-KX to follow you to York. The latter train was a few minutes late, but departed Doncaster 5 or so minutes after 60163 had passed through so I was expecting to be checked or overtake you after Colton Jn (as booked), but we were only checked slightly on the final approach to York.

I then travelled on the return to KX behind Tornado. I wasn't tiiming it properly, but I started the stopwatch on my phone at MP 179 when we we up to a good spped and stopped it at MP 79 as we were slowing for Peterborough - 100 miles in 96 minutes 36 seconds (if I remember correctly) including being looped at Claypole!

 

Some depressing news from RailwayEye...

I despair...

Chris

 

I was about to comment. But probably best to wait for all the facts to be known first......................

 

Anyone know where Westborough UWC is exactly?

 

From wnxx.com

The 1050 (1d73) hit a trainspotter on the ECML near Claypole this morning, luckily for him only his ladder was hit, all trains in the area stopped.

He was waiting for Tornado and misjudged, his crossing, somebody will be killed soon!

 

Here, perhaps? Just south of Claypole, near the River Witham.

 

From a glance at the Eastern Quail it is just over 8 miles north of Grantham and 1 mile south of Claypole Loops and crossovers.

 

Thank you for that, Much obliged!

 

Oh. Was he using a public right of way across the line?

Strewth. Do we still have public footpaths with flat crossings across main lines that run at 125 mph or more? The arrow partly obscures the blown up map, but that looks like a public right of way on a flat crossing with the line. The paths either side of that one look like they have an underpass, (NW ish), and an overbridge, (SE ish).

Again, full facts are needed. But there seems the possibility that the trainspotter element could be almost irrelevant? What if it was a mum with pushchair making the crossing? Or just with a couple of young children. Is that possible there, to anyone who may know the location?

 

I think your perhaps clutching at straws a bit Bryan, footpath crossings do get inspected so presumably its been judged as being safe - but only when used properly. We dont know all the details, but given how routine it is for enthusiasts to stand lineside just a few feet from running lines, with their backs to oncoming trains, it isnt remotely surprising.

Chris

 

Quick shot of "Tornado" this evening at Colton, not a particularly good location but the light was great.

View attachment 1600

By the way not only does the coaching stock look like Jacobs coat but the roof covering is peeling off most of the coaches as well!

 

Ralph, I'm gob smacked by that. It should not be allowed. What sort of railway are we running here? You cannot have pedestrians and 125 mph trains mixing like that. It's lunacy. IMHO. What do drivers think approaching a crossing at that speed and see someone on it. Or about to cross it. Heart stopping I would think. When I'm photting a steam excursion from the right side of a crossing gate etc, I will aways raise my right arm very clearly to any approaching train. Just to ease the mind of the driver in case he thinks I am about to make a dash for it. Many others here do the same I am sure.

And as for them being checked for safety. There is one near West Malling that I use infrequently that I do not like one little bit. London bound trains appear from around a curve. And pedestrians have to climb a style either side to cross. OK, most here on Nat Press would know to stand right back against the style if they had crossed the style then heard a train coming. But many others would not have that judgement: no reason for them to have it. We understand trains. They would not.

Still doesn't explain what is said to have happened today.

 

Here's one on the ECML at Northallerton, it doesn't even have warning lights or gates!

View attachment 1601

 

Gulp! I can't even see a proper walkway across the track.

By the way. Any recent news of 60163 today?

 

Bryan,
I understand that on todays that the running on the early sections was not so good because of the other services.However on the Grantham to York leg the train was checked to the mid 50's where the afore mentioned incident occured and that affected the overall time.It seems to have passed Retford in 33.1/2 minuates whereas Saturday was 30:47.Donny passed in 46:41 where Saturday was 44:44 and Colton Junct in 67:16 (Saturday 66:11).The York time was 74:11 against Saturday 73:06.
So although checked the train was travelling a little bit quicker on the later sections.The bit from Colton Junction looks almost identical.
I have heard nothing about the return other than it was on the slow from Huntingdon and that water on the return was taken at High Dyke just after Grantham.
A really good effort to all those concerned.Well done.

 

Approaching Sandy this evening. ISO 5000, f6.3, 1/320 sec. And to think, 15 minutes early I was taking photos at a mere ISO 1600!

 

Another day in the sun Stuart, you must be doing something right... I gave it a miss today, a well earned rest after 4 weeks of non stop filming :/May see you around again this week if the weather is better than forecast :/