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

Very messy timetable north of Crewe - lots of loops and slow line running. Currently held outside Preston couple of mins early - not much chance of any fast running.
Hopefully better north of Preston.

 

Well it’s taken a massive chunk off the schedule…10E at the summit - be interested to hear about this climb; sounds a fairly good one.

 

42mph over Shap

 

Sound was sensational, never heard Tornado sound like that before.

 

Certainly was. I'm looking forward to seeing some photos and videos of the run later.

 

That wasn't meant as a criticism, just a statement of reality of trying to squeeze steam onto the WCML in 2026. That its still possible is incredible and today's run has been right out of the top drawer.

 

Sunshine on Salterwaith

 

Load 11 as well

 

I’ve been over the top at 49 with both Tornado and DoG long before the days of a box on the back. Can’t remember the loads off hand but I can find them

 

Ready for the right away at Carlisle.

 

Early in its journey north, Tornado climbs towards Searchlight Lane Junction on the Norton Bridge cut off line.

 

The CME + Shap mountaineer passing Oxenholme

 

Quite remarkable climb to Ais Gill due to 20mph TSR a couple of miles from the summit. The recovery was quite extraordinary, to clear the summit at 45mph.

 

This may be a long shot, but looking back at the records, could your recollection possibly relate to the Border Raider run on 5th July 2014? A directly comparable Load 11 for 388 tare/ 415 gross. The climbing summit (37m 20c) was breasted at 44 mph. If "over the top" refers to the summit sign (37m 50c), speed had recovered to 48 mph at that point. Ring any bells??

 

At Shap and Ais Gill