Torbay Express 2016

Unfortunately yes ! ; and with a quick look at the next month or two I suspect predicting several more that will go the same way wouldn't be too difficult.

 

Sun 21/8: Updated with additional shot

 

My better half advises me that the A1 facebook site advises that 60163 will work Torbay Express on 4th and 11th September as well as her Belmond and SVR Venturer commitments.

 

Think its more to do with the (un)availability of many DBC approved locomotives at the moment...

 

There's some good news for you. Tornado was in steam at St. Philips Marsh this morning.

A member of the support crew said that it arrived on Wednesday. <BJ>

 

Came down from Orton Mere on Weds and 'disappeared' from the timings at Willesden Jn at 2019, so presumably diverted via Acton and GWML to SPM.

 

Although it was pretty murky this morning Tornado looked absolutely superb as it hauled it's unassisted 12 coach train through Long Ashton.

If anyone is out and about to see the TE today, look out for the newly restored Mk.1 dining coach approx. midway along the formation. It's absolutely beautiful but must have cost a fortune.

I understand that the final TE next week is fully booked. <BJ>

 

My footage of Tornado in dull and windy conditions. Filmed at Highbridge and Whiteball Bank. Enjoy.

 

Tornado once again very impressive, and as imperious as ever. Great to hear the distant wail of the chime whistle kicking in at around 0m 42 secs into the footage....anything that augments a Tornado soundtrack simply has to be a Good Thing. But most of all, I was struck by the (what seemed to be) significantly more rapid pace of the Whiteball climb compared with the 7th August outing. Difficult to pinpoint with total accuracy , but the speed passing the camera position looked to about or just a whisker below 40 mph with c. 300 metres to go to the north portal of the tunnel, which on the earlier trip, Tornado was reported to have entered at 31.2 mph (c/o 1020 Shireman post#345). Does anyone have anything on this, or indeed any other information/ insights about today's run??

 

Interesting comment "walked up Whiteball without any great effort. Into the tunnel at 46 and over the top at 43". I know the big engine always gives the impression of not being taxed too much but I can't find a log with a 'tunnel in' speed of more than 38 with 12 up. As a matter of fact 40+ is rarely done with 12. Similarly the 68 at Flax Bourton is seriously good for 12. And typically we had a week off....

 

Many thanks for an engrossing account of the day's highlights. Much appreciated. And just to put into some sort of perspective how good the TVP-Whiteball restart really was, its worth noting that on the not-particularly-mediocre-but-not-particularly-special run with the Devon Belle (Load 13) back in April, Sean Emmett recorded Tornado passing TVP at 61 mph, with speed falling back to 51 mph at MP174 and around 54 mph at the tunnel - only marginally quicker than today's run.

All-in-all, it really does look like the high spots of Tornado's performance today may have been something quite special. Could it be that with one more outing on the Torbay next week, it might be possible for Tornado and its DB-C crew to eclipse even this standard of performance?? Well worth the wait to find out.........

 

Here's some film of Tornado I took at Bristol Temple Meads and Dawlish yesterday. Not perfect by any means, but we get to hear the stuck whistle.

 

Yes, an excellent excursion that was most enjoyable.

 

Footage of 60163 passing Exminster and Langstone Rock on Sunday.

Enjoy!

 

"It isn't wrong, but we just don't do it"

 

Not that it was an intentional Doppler! Was surprised to hear her whistling after coming through Parsons Tunnel.

 

P5 BRI. 60163 load 12 no diesel. We're off.