Torbay Expresses 2017

Very many thanks for your kind words. In a nutshell, yes we do enjoy doing something different, but it certainly won't become the norm, with "Clan Line" wandering all over the country like certain other engines do. Rest assured every request will be looked at sympathetically with an eye firmly on whether we can resource it without in any way compromising the loco's performance, reliability and presentation (or unduly affecting our 'regular work').
Many thanks again for your very generous donation, which has just this moment been advised to the committee. It is much appreciated, and you will be receiving an appropriate acknowledgement privately in due course.
Finally, yes MNLPS appreciate that we're rather lightweight when it comes to sales merchandise; this will be addressed over time. Similarly, a covenanting scheme to provide for the engine's continued operation for future generations is beginning to be discussed within the committee, and will be taken forward.

 

Please let us know more about this. I read the article in a recent Steam Beano about the idea of supporters making a regular donation to support main line steam locos. If there has to be one loco to which I'd be happy to contribute a small sum each month, it would have to be Clan Line. The Southern is my favourite company and 35028 is the only Southern main line operational loco owned and operated by an independent group.

 

In I think 2010 they had a turnover of circa 100k from sales on trains.

 

Here's my log Tornado's return run on 10/09/2017. Nothing exceptional, but highly competent and, to put it in perspective, way above anything Ossie Nock recorded in 60 years of Western Express running...

Planning to travel on a number of Tornado trips next year, and hopefully a few more Clan Line runs too. Looks like its welcome back to No. 9 on the Torbay, and maybe even something with a copper topped chimney at some point too?

For 2018 would be nice if the coaches are either all in choc/cream or blood/custard (or maroon or all-green), but so long as there is a commitment to run with 100% steam wherever possible they will have my support.

 

Would be nice if next year the times could be shifted so that it could connect with the first GWR service from Paddington and a Paddington-bound train in the evening. If they could do that, I'd book onto a few straight away.

 

I'm sure someone will correct me, but IIRC, there aren't any mainline-registered all-green Mk1s and Riveria doesn't have any maroons.

 

But they really do need to get the paintbrush to their sets soon. Either blood and custard or choc and cream would suit me fine

Peter, on that rare thing lately, a sunny morning in Manchester
pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

This may or may not be news, and may or may not be helpful, but a couple of weeks ago, I received a "Save the Date" email from A1SLT that confirmed all the 2018 dates for their own outings with Tornado beyond the two already announced for 24th February and 24th March. No details of destinations/ itineraries for these later trips, but the calendar looks like this......

April Saturday 14th Saturday 28th
May Saturday 19th
June Saturday 2nd
July Tuesday 10th Saturday 21st
August Wednesday 1st
September Saturday 8th
November Saturday 10th
December Saturday 1st

I assume that anything outside A1SLT-sponsored trips (e.g. Pathfinder) would be incremental to this basic calendar, so this may not be the whole picture for next year, but its a massively good start.

 

Only if they fit one to an interloper!! Been told no chance of 6024 in 2018 so 5029 the only possibility but Torbays have been filling to 11+ and I seem to remember LSL putting a load limit of 11 on Nunney due to her lack of superheat. Coach painting now seems to be done on a 'needs must' basis and looking at how scruffy many of them are I wonder just how low a standard 'needs must' has sunk to. As long as they are mechanically fit to run that's all that seems to matter.

 

Anybody read the garbage comments aimed at the crews on Tornado on the last Torbay ? I know she struggled a touch up Churston, but some of the comments are hilarious !