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

Tornado climbing Shap at Salterwath and returning south through Waitby Cutting.

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Footage of 60163 racing through the Lune Gorge this morning along with 2 shots of 34067 in the same location and at Birkett later.

 

It could be. I’ll check my photo files. Are you saying that the summit board isn’t actually at the summit?
Edit : 2010 & 2019 it appears. I can’t find any evidence of my claim of 49 mph. 2010 was 48 over Grayrigg.
I’ll check DoG too.

 

A couple of clips of 60163 'Tornado' from Shap Wells and Moor End near Kirkby Stephen.

Video Available Here

 

Shap Wells...


Tornado at Shap Wells

 

Got back back from a great day out at 21.15 and couldn't resist a quick look at the GPS data. Summit speeds Grayrigg (MP26) - 46.7mph, Shap (MP37.25) - 41.5mph, Ais Gill (MP260) - 45.7mph, Ais Gill Summit Board (MP259.75) - 46.8mph. All recorded from the front of the 5th vehicle (of 11). The Ais Gill speeds are remarkable as speed fell below 20mph (TSR?) near the southern portal of Birkett Tunnel (MP264.25)

 

Passing MP 260 at 45.7mph ( according to Oswald)

 

Brighter weather sees LNER A1 Class No. 60163 'Tornado' speeding through Greenholme following 'Tangmere' on the climb to Shap and onwards to Carlisle



The weather having calmed down and Wild Boar Fell as a backdrop, LNER A1 Class No 60163 'Tornado' speeds the return 'Shap Mountaineer' towards Aisgill summit and on to Birmingham

 

60163 Tornado is captured hauling the Shap Mountaineer at Winsford, Shap Wells, Kirkby Stephen, Langho and Acton Bridge. Enjoy

 

A worthwhile day in the north to see Tornado on her first unassisted tour for some time, captured at Winsford, Shap, Wharton Ln nr Kirkby Stephen, Wilpshire Bank & Acton Bridge:

 

60163 Seen from the west side of Scout Green with no shelter from the severe wind.

 

Great image, as always, and definitely MP 260 but speed was 45.7mph 41.5mph was at Shap

 

Thanks, apologies, blame a late night post, it was obviously going rather well.

 

Just reflecting on a fantastic day yesterday after a past midnight arrival back in Mid-Wales!
My GPS made it 380 steam miles yesterday (from Wolverhampton), Tornado didn't miss a beat. Even when the diesel was on the back it hardly did a thing, somewhat surprising when we left Stafford nearly 20mins late with a Voyager up its backside!!
The hill climbing was superb, but for me the performance of the day was the recovery from 18mph at a TSR up to 45mph over the top of Ais Gill just shows what a fine machine this is. There was plenty of running in the low 70s too. It's a crying shame (not wanting to get into company politics) this loco has no other booked mainline work currently.
Another note, this trip was made possible by the inclusion of REG the water carrier and Tornado's range extending mods - just one water stop of 30 mins each way for 400+ miles. This made a trip such as this much more viable. A just reward for innovation.
Finally a huge thanks to all the volunteers from both VT and the A1st, a massive effort from all of you. The train was very professionally run as usual. That such a trip is still possible 60 years after the end of steam is no fluke and quite remarkable, especially on the busiest railway in Europe.

 

A top show from the A1 which was topped off with a whirlwind passage over the Roof Of England !

 

Can anyone shed some light on who the crews were for each leg please?

 

I was at Carlisle yesterday and the driver outward was Alastair Meanley with Sam Perry firing. Alastair was still driving when the train left Carlisle with Graeme Bunker-James firing. Kev Cronin was also on the footplate for the return journey and I suspect may have been driving at some point on the return leg.

 

From what I saw and was told on the train,
Tys to crewe was Martyn Fake driving, Sam Perry firing.
Crewe to Carlisle Alastair Meanley driving, Graeme Bunker Firing.
Carlisle to Blackburn Alastair driving and Graeme firing.
Blackburn to Tyseley Kevin Cronin driving and Simon Horobin firing.