Vintage Trains 2026

See post 229 above onwards.

 

Wondering how to interpret this - are they hinting at something in excess of 75mph?

Nick M.

 

It's just marketing. There are around 750 preserved steam locomotives in the UK. Only around 30 of them are approved for mainline use on the national network. As one of those 30, Tornado is therefore "one of the few".

 

I imagine so. Rather creative use of the word 'few'.

Does Tornado have any current dispensation to operate at more than 75mph? I rather lost track of what happened in that respect.

Nick M.

 

She was cleared for 90mph, but the society chose to operate her at 75mph following her ECML incident and there has been no indication they want anything more since her most recent overhaul.

She is a very capable locomotive even at 75mph, with a very good acceleration, even with a heavy load. She can also work with VT's water carrier - so makes longer distance trips much more viable without needing a higher limit.

 

Thanks Alan, excellent summary of things.

Nick M.

 

Very good acceleration in relation to what? I watched a diesel hauled excursion leaving York a few days ago and the driver was gunning it. Even so a bemused passer by was heard to comment about how slow its departure was in comparison with "normal" trains. Heritage traction, be it steam or diesel, has abysmal acceleration in comparison to what is now normal on the network and there is no point in kidding ourselves otherwise.

Peter

 

Compared to other steam locos, I am not going to compare her to a modern DMU thats up to 40mph before its even left the platform!

However, I did watch her lift a 13 coach train out of Craven Arms loop and she was well into the 30s by the time she passed through Craven Arms station.

My point is in every essence she is as was originally envisaged, the ideal 21st century mainline steam loco. Its such a shame she's only getting a few trips a year now - but well done to VT for organising them.

The Edinburgh trip is tempting, I must admit.

 

A couple of years ago I was talking to one of the older NT drivers who drove 331s on the Bpool N-Man Airport & Liv LS routes. He told me that the 3 car units were rapid, from a stop in Preston they could reach 100mph by Farington Curve Jn. The Jn is 1m 49ch south of Preston, after a gentle dip to the Ribble Xng the line climbs equally gently; overall the gradient is around 1/700r. On 06 Nov 2016 The Tin Bath (11 coaches) was hauled by 44871 & 45407 we reached 38mph by FCJ, the speed seems typical of other steam trips on which I've travelled. The difference is hardly surprising as the total weight of a 3 car 331 is the same as a single Black 5, the 331 is streamlined and has a rated power of just under 2400hp. Fast and convenient or slow and enjoyable?