Tornado to Exeter 25 August

All good stats, and an example of a STEAM hauled railtour organised and operated at its best it seems to me.

My only concern is I'm not sure this standard of operating could so reliably be expected from a train not hauled by Tornado, (other than 35028). Although on paper, another class 8 pacific, 60163 seems to be in a class of its own, not entirely surprising given it's history. Another reason it's a shame it's work somewhat dried up in the lead up to this, it's final tour.

I hope we don't have too long to wait before 60163 returns, and continues to set such high standards.

 

I was also on this train, and what a performance! Joined at Newbury and the outward run to Westbury set the standard. Tornado hardly noticed Savernake, so it seemed. Little fuss on the climb out of Frome either. Hewish and Honiton needed a bit more effort. I presume there must have been a TSR after Axminster, but what a wonderful sound as 60163 tackled the 1 in 80 in the drizzle without a hint of slipping. I doubt if Tornado would have noticed Whiteball on the return were it not for being held in the Tiverton Junction loop and thus having to tackle the last few miles from a standing start. After Whiteball tunnel, we absolutely flew along, interrupted only by stops at Taunton and Westbury, plus what I assume was a TSR east of Taunton. Once again, 60163 hardly noticed Brewham and Savernake. Brilliant would be an understatement.

On top of this (1) - a piece of new track for me - never done the Yeovil Pen Mill-Yeovil Juntion spur before - let alone with steam. (2) - had a chance to go into Tornado's cab during the wait at Yeovil Junction (3) the worst of the rain fell while we were on the train. The drizzle dried up about an hour after arrival at Exeter (was inside the Cathedral with my wife when I noticed the sun had come out) and the heavy showers on the way back did not hit us until Westbury. All in all, a very enjoyable day, and thanks to the DBS crews, the A1SLT and UK railtours for making it so memorable.

If I was to put in a "but", it would be "but how shortsighted of BR(W) to single -track to Salisbury Exeter line in the 1960s." It's such a shame that. having devised a minimalist solution to providing an hourly service all the way to Exeter i.e., the three-mile double track section through Axminster - that any further reinstatement of double track is unlikely unless some sort of new freight flow materialises (most unlikely). So running steam on this line looks like it will continue to be challenging and subject to frequent pathing stops. Still, 30 years ago, who would have dreamed that steam would ever run over Honiton again?

A final thought. A few people on this forum have said in as many words, "I'm never booking on another main line charter again. They always go wrong." If I think back over the last 6 trips I have been on, spaced out over about 5 years, I have been with 4 different operators, behind locos from all four pre-nationalisation companies plus a BR standard and a New Build and all 6 have been diesel-free and included some marvellous running. The only real negative was the return of a SD trip to Bristol behind Bittern, which we joined ad Redhill. After a very good outward run fully up to what one expects from an A4, there seemed to be a steaming problem coming back. Still, it gave us a bit of a nail-biter as it was touch and go as to whether we would get up the 1 in 96 from Shalford to Gomshall.

So my message to anyone put off main line steam is that if you pick your train and the time of the year, you can still enjoy an exhilarating day out. I certainly enjoyed yesterday, as I think is pretty apparent from this post!

 

How it SHOULD be done & not a box in sight. Why can't others do the same?

 

Not enough available class 8 locos.

 

Well this tour with Tornado seems to have set the standard that others could take notes from.
Tornado's been out of the limelight for a while but hopefully more tours like this will be forthcoming.
This is a loco that needs mainline running and not so much trundling about on preserved railways at 25 MPH

 

or tours with less carriages.

the average tour carries around 3.5 none-revenue vehicles.. a BSK / Support Coach / Kitchen and Buffet... add to that sometimes a Generator Van...not forgetting the dreaded diesel.

I recall a Salisbury trip 17th December 2012 with 70000 Britannia back that dragged 2 generators, Support Coach, Kitchen and Buffet.. 5 non-rev vehicles...load 13 !

Combining the BSK with the Support Coach and Dumping the buffet would add 2 rev vehicles to a train.. or allow for smaller locos..

 

Don't all have to be 12 coaches, allocate loads dependent according to the loco class.
ADB, you just beat me to it!

 

I noted that the supposedly standard class coaches were in fact declassified firsts. If the train was fully booked that means UKR missed out on 44 standard class fares(a TSO seating 64 and an FO seating 42). Presumably that could make an appreciable difference to the profitability of the trip,or maybe the stock provide(Riviera?) would have taken this into account when quoting for the trip?

 

Why not write to WCRC and ask them why?

 

I slightly challenge that Kittchen and buffet are not revenue earning. Catering revenue on heritage lines is an important income stream and should be similar on tours. Catering on a tour has two income streams - profit on food sold esp full dining and attracts the non enthusiast. I cant imagine my wife going on any excursion if she did not have ready access to refreshments

 

HATHERTON HALL...Great video, Mine is almost identical so shall shan't worry about loading. I guessed you might be there, but was with someone so couldn't go round asking !!! I assume the chime was used a lot throughout the day; almost announcing her racing through. And surely a lot of local residents would have been awakened by that sound. Lets hope for some more steam through Reading and Twyford soon. I see Olly is due soon. AND NOTE TO BIG AL seems you enjoyed the day and the Reading problem is surely because the flyovers aren't complete yet. Why that should affect the train at that time is a mystery, perhaps everyone was worn out from getting the 90000 festival goers away from Reading in the whole day of torrential rain Pete

 

My video from yesterday's The Devon Belle:



James

 

Shame there isnt a clapping smiley

 

All I will say is that all the usual suspect(s) started this today following my innocent post #66.

 

My footage of yesterday's run.