Tornado

No rail connection at Darlo works.

None of those have welded boilers though ....

 

Bulleid boilers can hardly be described as all-welded, though. An awful lot of rivets and screwed stays on them to keep up the old traditions! I can think of only three all welded boilers on UK standard gauge locos.
Building one isn't exactly rocket science, though.

 

Correct. It's the firebox that's essentially the welded bit. Plenty of rivets in the barrel.

 

Having said that, it's the firebox which tends to be problematic.

 

A little compilation video to mark one year since Tornado made her first public runs in BR Blue.

 

Don't know if this is much use to anyone, especially in the Reading area, but there is a lecture about Tornado at Reading University tonight.



A lecture on the building of Britain's newest Steam Locomotive



Thursday 28th November
7:00pm until 9:45pm

From Dream to Steam, the Tornado Story.

From Dream to Steam, a fascinating lecture on the building of Britain's newest Steam Locomotive. 60163 Tornado

A superb talk arranged by the The Institution of Engineering and Technology. EC3 section

speaker Rob Morland, Director Electricals, A1 Steam Locomotive Trust

In 1990 a group of people came together to share an extraordinary ambition -to construct a brand new Peppercorn A1 Pacific steam locomotive. They formed The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and after nineteen years of incredible effort that locomotive, No. 60163 Tornado, moved under its own power for the first time in 2008. Rob designed and built an all-new electrical system for the locomotive and its support coach, and now maintains both systems. His talk will tell the story of Tornado's construction, and recent operations, an amazing tale of cooperation, skill and sheer hard graft which defied the critics who said it could never be done. This event is free of charge and open to all, with refreshments at 19.00.
Contact: Dr Richard Mitchell rjmitchell@theiet.org

doors open 7.00pm for 7.30pm start.

suitable for older children 12+

A1SLT http://www.a1steam.com

http://www.twitter.com/tornado_talks

This is a truly unique opportunity to hear the inside story of one of our country’s greatest achievements, plus ask questions of the people who passionately believe in British design and the key role our engineering heritage has to play.

 

Noticed Tornado has no work now till July!

60163 really inspired me as a project and is an amazing machine. Such a shame its gathering dust at Southall.

This WCRC mainline issue really needs sorting. How can the loco pay for itself with so little work.

Discuss...

 

I'd be suprised if she doesn't get any work. There's got to be some spring/summer galas coming up at various heritage railways

 

According to the latest Heritage railway the Mid Norfolk are trying to aquire LNER Locos for their gala in June. And Tornado was listed as a possible.

 

Attending several galas, see the web page for details.

 

has the matter of using an non approved contractor now been settled, the problem is that The engine is only operated by DBS and most of its work before was with Steam Dreams, who now use WCRC, so that at a stroke deprived the engines owners of the bulk of its earning potensial.

 

Exactly! So if you want to be a mainline outfit you need to get on with WCRC now....end of story. Now Steam Dreams have changed operators, WCRC almost have a monopoly on the mainline circuit.

In my opinion there are some big ego's getting in the way here, the A1 group need to do a bit of sucking up to WCRC, otherwise I feel the loco has a frustrating future with the current lack of mainline jobs!

 

You could look at it the other way and say that it is unhealthy for WCRC (who have an owner known to be "difficult" at times) to have a virtual monopoly. It would be very desirable for there to be another strong TOC for mainline steam.

 

Isnt that what Hoskings is doing at Crewe? There was the rumour that he was purchasing Riviera trains to create his own TOC. If this does happen then there will be more choice for the likes of Tornado and other loco groups to go with.

 

Healthy competition in the charter market is not a bad thing. We certainly have that between tour operators, whether we have that between TOCs is another matter.

 

You are quite correct!

 

Why should WCR dictate to A1Trust who they employ for maintenance jobs (cylinder boring). The job in question was obviously up to standard as Tornado has been very reliable, this smacks of nepotism to me.
One could also point out that WCR has had a few reliability problems as well and, before anyone suggests I am having a go at WCR I am definitely not as they do a fine job, it's more like cutting your nose of to spite your face.
Having available a class 8 and not making use of it where suitable makes no sense to me.

Cheers Dave

 

DBS handle the VSOE jobs pretty effectively. These aren't high intensity but are regular. What Tornado probably needs is a similar operation.

 

Mr Hosking is neither setting up a new TOC, nor is he purchasing Reviera Trains, but no doubt the rumours will continue!