Tornado to Exeter 25 August

Must admit,I had always thought this was just a UK Railtours trip, i.e. they paid the A1 trust a hire fee and filling the train was their problem. Are you saying its more of a joint operation and UKR are just doing the bookings?

I have booked on this one today,was determined not to until it was clear there was a good chance of no box on back! As you say,it is surprising(and a bit worrying,for the promoters) that there is still plenty of availability in all classes.

 

There were only eight revenue-earning coaches (see http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/f731739511 ), and Tornado could easily (has easily) hauled more than that over Grayrigg and Shap. And I saw a good number of empty seats.

Peter in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

3rd May 2012. 35028 on 13 for 500 tons, driver Wayne Thompson (who else indeed) and fireman Bob Binstead, on the restart from Chard Junction, max 74 after Axminster, then a speed restriction to 14 mph half way up Honiton bank. From this Clan Lime accelerated to 29.5 mph before the tunnel with full regulator and 50% cut off. It was cloudy cold and dry. Wayne told me he reluctantly had to hold 28 back from exceeding 80 down past Broad Clyst. A wonderful run throughout with a big load. Clan Line was in perfect condition as it usually is. GB involved in planning this trip so no thought of a DL on the back of course. My log of this run is in HR.

Don

 

don't forget it is Notting hill carnival so the tube will be very busy

 

Rain, sleet, snow. Who cares. I'll be out to film Tornado tomorrow. Have an enjoyable trip everyone. <BJ>

 

Couple of shots with a wee compact at Slough this morning.

 

Nearly 3 mins up through Theale looked superb and going very nicely

 

I saw her a the new Reading station and it stirred many of the hundreds of returning Reading Festival goers!!

Here is my vid.........

 

At Iver




Trying to sound like a Black 5!

 

How did you get on there? Thought it was more secure than Fort Knox.

 

Fort Knox, you bet! I jumped on the train at Wokingham and so no problem for me! I wish the station staff at Reading could be as friendly as Woking where they are always happy for the enthusiast to go onto the platform. Reading has for many years, been the complete opposite and I have seen with my own eyes enthusiasts being turned away at the barriers. I used to overcome this by getting a ticket to the nearest station Reading West for £2.20!

This morning, I have never seen so many orange jacketed station staff. You can see some of them in my previous video. The station manager is the guy being photographed by the cab of Tornado. He did admit to being a big steam fan and especially Tornado.

This is a fun snap from this morning's Devon Belle, still at Reading with Graham Ward on the regulator and my old friend Geoff Ewans as inspector. You can hear our football banter. He is a Bristol City fan and me, Plymouth Argyle.

I think it is nice to see the celebs at the front end sometimes!

 

Looks like it just sailed over Honiton with 12 on in the rain. RTT shows 5 early approaching Sidmouth Junction (sorry Feniton)

Don

 

I would expect nothing less from this ace driver. Is there still a restriction half way up the bank, or doesn't this apply to Tornado?

Don

 

Here's her steamy departure from Slough, no fuss despite wet rails, sorry the video's a bit jumpy in places, had to hand hold and I think the rain upset the camera's image stabilisation;

 

That's the spot I was heading for but ended up on that bridge instead.

 

13 early into Newbury.