Tornado Paddington/Penzance 29/05/17

It did, Clun Castle over the S&C in 1967. Pictured on Garsdale water troughs.

 

Well, perhaps we can catch a glimpse of the big ambition when we pore over the outline details that have been released for the 2017 Tornado Tours programme. We see, for example, a 1st March westbound "Saint David" schedule that features a mere 30 minute interval between Reading and Swindon pick-ups!!!!! And only a slightly more relaxed 35 minute interval between set-downs on the return that evening. Wow!!

To achieve these sort of times over the intervening 41 miles suggests quite strongly that (although not mentioned on their website) the A1SLT are planning to augment Tornado's considerable fire-power with the installation of a Flux Capacitor over the winter break. And there was me thinking that the plan was to reserve the best that Tornado could yield for its outings on its ECML home territory!! Huh, what do I know?

OK, OK. Removing tongue from cheek, what's been released is obviously very approximate and very provisional. But even if this throws only the faintest glimmer of light on the scale of ambition for Tornado's future Vmax, then this kind if schedule will herald a very big and very positive step in the right direction.

 

Good question. Was wondering that also.

 

As it's school half term maybe a Torbay Express? Pure speculation but I'd argue a possibility.

 

Have taken the plunge and booked for this trip taking the eats included option. Have been a bit lukewarm since the no lingering in the vestibules hysteria started but this trip looks a bit special. Anyone know if this has been done before in the preservation era. The suggestion as to the 90mph is intriguing, if so I would be very surprised but absolutely delighted. It also has the Par option and if I go wittering on about trains since leaving Paddington, the wife might take it.

 

Yes and they set a record of driving the whole 568 miles from Euston to Inverness!

 

And seriously winding the Druimuachdair banker in the process. That's one railtour I'd like to see one day - London to Inverness behind a Bulleid. Has it all: speed, speculation and surprise. We digress...

 

We'd need that water cart from NSW.

 

Offered the chance to book, but not worth gambling on standard being on the rear on the way back out of Penzance.
Photography day me thinks,

 

Driver Swain with Bert Hooker firing was the one reputed to have gone down past Woking at the same speed as the number on the engine, which was Blandford Forum!! This story came from an uncle who worked on the Bullied pacifics.

 

Received a letter/brochure from A1SLT/UK Railtours advertising forthcoming tours with 60163. It mentions "Tornado undertaking 90mph testing in 2017 as a precursor to selected high speed mainline operations".

 

Let we know where you'll be and I'll wave my hi-viz at you.
This is where you and me differ. Admittedly I'll be happiest if I'm up front on the steam leg but won't be complaining if I'm up front on the way back as it's still classic motive power from my youth.

 

In my view it is most unlikely that any of the route to Penzance via the Berks and Hants line would be approved for 90 mph running with Tornado. The ECML is much more likely to be the first though not the only route.

 

Tickets booked. Now just a matter of waiting until the day to see if we'll be next to the Kylchap or the Maybach thrash.

 

And why not?

 

deleted

 

There aren't many stretches where a sustained 90 mph is possible and service train density on the B&H is low so the improved pathing argument doesn't apply. Bristol to Taunton is a much better case

 

wave a hi viz how petty are you,
I honestly don't care, thing is your all rising to what I say and I'm not even trying to wind anyone up, its pathetic,

 

I think you need to read a book on the meaning of smilies.
The only one here who's pathetic is your good self who seems to take offence at the slightest little jest while at the same time happily insulting others.