Tornado Kent Circulars 21/12/09

Brilliant tour, although i have another tour to do tommorrow down the ashford to hastings line. Then i will post something on my website.

 

Bittern was light engine from Southall to Alton today. Might of been that which went through Egham.

 

Bittern was due through Staines at midday. Since Egham is just after Staines it must have been Bittern.

 

Thanks both, Bittern it would have been!

Regards

46118

 

i can think of a few operations managers who right now wished they could get their hands on a fleet of steamers great isnt it, everything on the 3rd rail struggles and tornado runs ahead of time , i wonder what commutors waiting for their late running trains made of it, bring back the old slam door stuff and the 33s and eds that used to help them out , it was a system that worked, unlike today

 

A not-so-great shot of Tornado approaching Staplehurst:

http://craigrailpics.fotopic.net/p62602487.html

And a video of Tornado at Staplehurst and also Headcorn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6v2wyijMos

Did get a photo at Headcorn but it came out completely blurred.

 

Is it just me or does the chime whistle sound different.

 

Probably sounds different due to how cold the brass that the whistle is made of is.

This is one of the challenges of playing brass musical instruments outdoors in freezing weather!

 

As i've seen pointed out on another forum, while the old slam door trains would continue in these conditions they'd often break themselves in the process and leads to days and even weeks of disrupted service whereas now the trains protect themselves. Its not ideal but at least when the conditions improve there should be near enough a full service.

Oh, and doesnt Tornado look grand in the snow. Superb!

Chris

 

Does anyone know if the evening tour is running? Planning on seeing it at Catford but Southeastern are all over the place.

Perhaps I should get the Tube to Victoria and hitch a lift on it to Bromley South...!!

Regards,

Dan

 

There was still plenty of room on it last week, so the later is probably the best bet.

 

very empty left few mins late. nice sounds from engine

 

Just past Bickley, sounded great

Here are my pictures from Bickley Jn, earlier on today
http://www.flickr.com/photos/timbgray64/sets/72157623044685908/

 

Apparently Tornado did carry quite a few commuters from Victoria to Swanley and Maidstone tonight!

 

Have just uploaded a clip of Tornado arriving and departing my local station in Swanley. Seemed to be quite lightly loaded which is a shame. Back in February I was on the evening train and the tickets were around £35, I see they were priced at £59 for tonight which may be fine for a day trip but quite a lot for a tour in the dark I'd suggest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SonkkxICOvA

 

Thats a nice clip thanks for sharing

 

Tickets have been available at half price, if you travelled on one of the earlier Christmas trips ( from Ely onwards) and completed a booking form on the day.The Febraury trip route was the Surrey Hills duration 3.5 hours, while this one is a longer route duration 5 hours.

 

Fair enough but judging by the empty seats not many people took them up on the offer. The trip was five hours from Victoria but if I'd got on at Swanley it'd have been just four of course.

 

Brilliant at Catford tonight - the First Capital Connect service delayed and people hanging around on the platform. Then you hear the rhythmic beat of the exhaust and around the curve out of the darkness comes a fire breathing giant, thundering through the station and on into the night.

Made my day anyway!

A few pictures that my Dad took of the morning trip at Chelsfield (two on the outward leg and one on the return).

Regards,

Dan

 

8.35 been sitting near wye (oops I mean Sturry) for a few minutes. now 15 or so late. long block section i believe.