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

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.

 

Yes that's my interpretation too

 

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.

 

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.

 

Agree, have been waiting for this trip to appear - booking made.
Thanks Vintage Trains, something to look forward to in 2026!

 

I see there is also a CME running on this date so presume the VT times on the website will change?

 

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.

 

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?

 

All sorted yesterday with 3 pax booked into the enthusiast coach.

 

Times for Tornado next month https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...-28/0000-2359?stp=S&show=all&order=wtt&toc=TY Looks like unassisted from Crewe to Blackburn via Carlisle.

 

Pity about being looped at Grayrigg. Busy railway. Still will allow direct comparison with 60532.

 

Assume that’ll be water there?

 

Carlisle/Blackburn, is that longer than usual without a water stop?

 

60163's tender has been modified to work with VT's water carrier.

 

Thanks, of course I had completely forgotten about the water carrier.

 

Looks like the outward has been retimed now with no stop at Grayrigg and following the Cumbrian Mountain Express up Shap.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U77022/2026-03-28/detailed

 

This looping has been removed in the latest times.

 

This looks like a terrific path, really looking forward to it.

 

As long as there is no slippy spamcan in the way