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Tornado Railtours - 2019

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by j4141, Mar 29, 2018.

  1. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    I still have a feeling there’s a lot we are not being told. It all seems to go back to the incident on the Ebor Flyer.
     
  2. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    There has been an especially resounding silence on the subject of 90 mph running. All that I can recall being said was that it wouldn't happen for a while. If the failure would have happened regardless of speed (as they claimed soon afterwards) then there is no obvious reason for very much delay in returning to 90 mph operation. As long as Tornado continues to be restricted to 75 mph, all the work to achieve approval for 90 mph seems to have been been wasted.
     
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  3. Kylchap

    Kylchap Member

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    At a recent A1SLT roadshow I did ask the question whether Tornado is still authorised for 90mph running and the answer was "yes". Given all that has happened and the false starts, it seems sensible to complete a few more tours successfully before pushing the envelope again.

    On a wider point, I was quite shocked when we learned about the various factors that had contributed to the Ebor Flyer failure. My take on the episode is that Tornado's erstwhile high standard of reliability had led to complacency and maintenance standards falling below what should have been. The 90mph bash brought matters to head a bit earlier than would otherwise have happened. Others have said that, recently, the TOC has been very vigorous about the standards adhered to during the repairs before allowing Tornado back onto the main line. Hopefully we now have a loco that is back in prime condition.
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2019
  4. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    No quarrel with that: the question is just how many 75 mph tours before they go up to 90 again. Some of us are waiting for our promised first refusal on the next 90 mph public run. Meanwhile one of this year's runs with Tornado that I was considering doing has been cancelled and another now clashes with something else what I want to do.
     
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  5. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    Snap. And this time without some wag at work covering the '9' on my Tornado mug afterwards... :Blackeye:

    Realistically, I don't see it occurring this year; I have no tours planned this year anyway, money's needed for other things and work bookings (the joy of the 'gig' economy) aren't looking so good either.
     
  6. EltonRoad

    EltonRoad New Member

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    According to Railway Herald website, this Saturday's North Briton - Tornado over the S&C and Tyne Valley line - has been cancelled? Can't see any information on any other sites though.
     
  7. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Yup. see various posts on the Tornado thread, avoiding the ones about 35A.
     
  8. Groks212

    Groks212 Member

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  9. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    Now bookable via the trust's own website at https://www.a1steam.com/category/tours/

    They no longer use UK Railtours as their booking agent.

    A new tour announced today is a trip from Birmingham to the Blackpool illuminations on 2nd November, with a diesel between Preston and Blackpool due to the lack of turning facilities there.
     
  10. Groks212

    Groks212 Member

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    Times for this Saturday's North Briton now on RTT.
    Interestingly it shows as a WCRC and not DB operation, although the coaching stock would still seem to be Riviera Trains stock as there is a movement from Southall to Eastleigh the day before, and then to Acton Lane Sidings.

    Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) 19/07/2019
    STP 1255 Southall Wcr 0Z60 WR Terminates here
    STP Starts here 5Z60 WR Acton Lane Reception Sdgs 1358

    Acton Lane Reception Sdgs 20/07/2019
    STP Starts here 5Z50 WR London Kings Cross 0537

    London Kings Cross 20/07/2019
    STP 0653 Acton Lane Reception Sdgs 1 5Z50 WR Terminates here
    STP Starts here 1 1Z50 WR Carlisle 0816
    STP 2324 Newcastle 1 1Z54 WR Terminates here

    Carlisle 20/07/2019
    STP Starts here 3 1Z52 WR Newcastle 1706

    Newcastle 20/07/2019
    STP Starts here 3 1Z54 WR London Kings Cross 1922

    Dave B
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2019
  11. 5098

    5098 Well-Known Member

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  12. Groks212

    Groks212 Member

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  13. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    After an absence of any steam from the home counties to Ludlow and Shrewsbury for several years, we now have 2 on the same day - 23rd November.

    The RTC trip with 60009 was advertised a while ago. Just announced today with Tornado is Pathfinders tour https://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/events/the-marches-severn-express-steam-hauled/ starting from Eastleigh with various pickups and steam coming on, and off, at Gloucester.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 27, 2019
  14. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Just like the good old days when both Pathfinder and Steam Dreams ran on the same day.
     
  15. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Had letter today informing passengers that the Pathfinder Cumbrian Mountaineer on 14/9/19 has been cancelled due to a lack of bookings. Shame as it was going to be the only chance to 'do' 60163 northbound over Shap this year.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 8, 2019
  16. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    Great stuff. Late notice engineering work means there is no path available for the run through the Potteries on 2 November, a bit of rare track that was my reason for doing the trip.

    It will be interesting to see whether it becomes a straightforward out and back via the WCML, or some route-related interest is injected by a run through or around Manchester. I doubt it at this short notice, although the Standedge leg of the 2017 Border Raider was arranged a few days before the off because of similar circumstances. C'est la vie.
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2019
  17. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    Yes it's a shame about The Potteries, I've never done it by steam before. No timings on RTT yet but tickets went out today First Class apparently so should come tomorrow / Saturday.
     
  18. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    And would that have been the first ever steam over the new flyover that avoids the Norton Bridge junction?
     
  19. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Speaking with a couple of timers on a recent (non Tornado) trip, the loco has 'stretched her legs' on a couple trips this year, so is clearly back in good health. Perhaps some higher speed runs maybe on offer next year.
    In unrelated events I found myself booking on the Caledonian for next July - Steam north of Carlisle can not be ignored!
     
  20. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Are there any times about for Saturdays Blackpool trip, I haven't seen any yet but have been told that it's due in Preston about 3pm.
     

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