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VT: The Shap Mountaineer with Tornado - 28/03/26

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by 30567, Dec 19, 2025.

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  1. 30567

    30567 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Re the Tornado trip, is your interpretation of that unassisted steam all the way or unassisted Carnforth--Carlisle--Hellifield? I've read it a few times and incline to the latter.
     
    30567, Dec 19, 2025
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  2. NathanP

    NathanP Well-Known Member

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    Yes that's my interpretation too
     
    NathanP, Dec 19, 2025
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  3. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Interesting that VT is remaining close to what it has done of late when the occasion merits it and that is to declare when it plans to operate a trip without rear end assistance.

    So that means into 2026 we can look forward to three TOCs giving passengers the benefit of knowing what is planned - i.e. LSL, VT.....and DBC that generally doesn't assist at the rear anyway if a diesel is attached. So that seems to put WCR 'in splendid isolation' over this particular matter. How times have changed.
     
    Big Al, Dec 19, 2025
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  4. Leviathan

    Leviathan New Member

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    The VT website confirms that Tornado will be at the front of the train the entire time, with a diesel on the rear from Birmingham to Carnforth, and from Hellifield to Birmingham.

    This is a step up from the similar tour last year with Bahamas, where steam came on at Carnforth and off at Hellifield. The fare seems very reasonable (£132.50 Standard Class, inc booking fee), with a modest supplement for Enthusiast Class.


    BTW, is anyone else finding the NatPres website extremely slow to respond today?


    Nick M.
     
    Leviathan, Dec 23, 2025
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  5. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Should be a seriously good day out. Don't forget 60163's tender has 6200 gallons of water on board so has a vastly longer range than Bahamas. We did the 105 miles to Grantham from the Cross more than once with a speed of 73 at Stoke Summit. Ir's a shame the diesel can't run across to Blackburn and attach there so we could enjoy an unassisted climb of Wilpshire Bank. Still, 60163 has done superb climbs of Wilpshire Bank with 13 in the past so fingers crossed the diesel driver reads his paper or something between Hellifield and Wilpshire Summit.
     
    1020 Shireman, Dec 24, 2025
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  6. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Agree, have been waiting for this trip to appear - booking made.
    Thanks Vintage Trains, something to look forward to in 2026!
     
    acorb, Dec 24, 2025
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  7. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    I see there is also a CME running on this date so presume the VT times on the website will change?
     
    mattspencer, Dec 26, 2025
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  8. 30567

    30567 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Two years ago, VT had a slot ahead of the CME, dep Birmingham 0656, Warrington 0853, Carlisle 1205, although that's not what happened on the day. This time they will need less time at Carnforth because they are just dropping the diesel off. But as against that even Tornado will need a water stop somewhere. On the return, I guess they will probably need to drop back to the 1515 slot from Carlisle over the S and C.

    It looks as though the Preston/Blackburn pick up and set down has had to be dropped this year.
     
    30567, Dec 26, 2025
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  9. 16Ventnor

    16Ventnor Member

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    I’ve been trying to ring the booking office since before Christmas but with no reply to my messages. I can’t book on line as I have a discount from the not-Newcastle trip. Is there any news when the office will be reopening please?
     
    16Ventnor, Dec 30, 2025
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  10. 16Ventnor

    16Ventnor Member

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    All sorted yesterday with 3 pax booked into the enthusiast coach.
     
    16Ventnor, Jan 6, 2026
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  11. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    mattspencer, Feb 25, 2026
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  12. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    1020 Shireman, Feb 25, 2026
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  13. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Assume that’ll be water there?
     
    2857Harry, Feb 25, 2026
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  14. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    Carlisle/Blackburn, is that longer than usual without a water stop?
     
    alastair, Feb 25, 2026
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  15. sunstream

    sunstream Member Friend

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    60163's tender has been modified to work with VT's water carrier.
     
    sunstream, Feb 27, 2026
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  16. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, of course I had completely forgotten about the water carrier.
     
    alastair, Feb 27, 2026
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  17. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    mattspencer, Mar 19, 2026
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  18. andyjhatton

    andyjhatton New Member

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    This looping has been removed in the latest times.
     
    andyjhatton, Mar 19, 2026
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  19. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    This looks like a terrific path, really looking forward to it.
     
    acorb, Mar 19, 2026
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  20. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    As long as there is no slippy spamcan in the way ;)
     
    mattspencer, Mar 20, 2026
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