60163 'Tornado' Excursions

[34053]

Thanks Ray. I have now seen all 3 liveries that she has been in. Missed the all over grey one.
She looks very nice in the blue. Pity there was a diesel on the front all the way there and back.

Yes, an unfortunate result of the continuing 'Steam Ban' restrictions imposed by Network Rail. Let's hope that the rain today will change all that!

PW

[Minty4371]

My shots of Tornado. Diesel on front was 67019.


Arriving at Spalding Station.


Departing Spalding Station, going to Lincoln.

She did not stop at Spalding. Went straight through.


At Peterborough Station.


At Peterborough Station.

Stopped at Peterborough for crew change.

All Spalding Station Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16521384@N ... 409498994/

All Peterborough Station Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16521384@N ... 402780491/

[34053]

Thank you Robert. Great photos (just a shame about the diesel 'spoiling the view'. I also enjoyed your pics on the links to 'Spalding' and 'Peterborough' Stations (I will have the 'Skyfall' theme tune going round in my head all day now ).

(I hope to post my pics of the SKP Recommissioning later).

PW

[34053]

Forthcoming Main Line Excursion:

- Tuesday 17th September: 'The Cathedrals Express' [Diesel hauled: Staines-Basingstoke-Andover-Salisbury; Steam hauled: Salisbury-Taunton-Exeter St Davids-Paignton-Kingswear and return (change to Diesel at Warminster on return leg)]

For the latest Route /Timings, click on the link below:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t13/t0917a.htm

[There is another Excursion on Thursday 19th September (Canterbury to Salisbury and return). No details yet declared on uksteam.info.].

PW

[Jet Morgan]

Apparently Tornado is running along the West Coast mainline today from Euston (0800) to Coventry (1030) and then on to Worcester Shrub Hill (1330) via Kidderminster (1300), returning at 2220 from WOS. Looking forward to seeing it at Northampton...

[34053]

Apparently Tornado is running along the West Coast mainline today from Euston (0800) to Coventry (1030) and then on to Worcester Shrub Hill (1330) via Kidderminster (1300), returning at 2220 from WOS. Looking forward to seeing it at Northampton...

Thank you JM. Yes, I missed that one as it was originally 70000 Britannia' which was rostered for this Excursion. I didn't notice that 'Tornado' had since been allocated.

- Saturday 14th September: 'The Cathedrals Express' [London Euston-Milton Keynes-Wolverton-Northampton-Rugby-Birmingham International-Kidderminster-Worcester Shrub Hill and return]

Here are the Route/Timings details:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t13/t0914b.htm

PW

[Jet Morgan]

Apparently Tornado is running along the West Coast mainline today from Euston (0800) to Coventry (1030) and then on to Worcester Shrub Hill (1330) via Kidderminster (1300), returning at 2220 from WOS. Looking forward to seeing it at Northampton...

Thank you JM. Yes, I missed that one as it was originally 70000 Britannia' which was rostered for this Excursion. I didn't notice that 'Tornado' had since been allocated.

PW

There are some pix of Tornado on this site: Northampton Station website

The photo at the bottom of the page was from yesterday's visit.

Would be intersested to know your thoughts on the site in general, its my own site but pix are also donated.

Alex
JM

[34053]

Had a look at the website and it's quite impressive. Thank you for sharing it with us, Alex. Look forward to seeing the construction works progressing. That Mobile Crane was certainly a '' big 'un''!

PW

[Jet Morgan]

Had a look at the website and it's quite impressive. Thank you for sharing it with us, Alex. Look forward to seeing the construction works progressing. That Mobile Crane was certainly a '' big 'un''!

PW

Thanks and you're welcome. I'll let you know when there's some real progress to see...

Alex
JM

[34053]

- Thursday 19th September: 'The Cathedrals Express' [Canterbury West-Wye-Ashford International-Tonbridge-Bromley South-Kensington Olympia-Salisbury and return (Diesel hauled: Kensington Olympia-Canterbury West).

Here are the Route and Timings details:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t13/t0919a.htm

PW

EDIT (19.09.13): This will be the last Main Line Excursion by 'Tornado' for a while (next one scheduled for 11th November). Meanwhile, she will be visiting:

- Barrow Hill Roundhouse (28th & 29th September).
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway (4th to 6th October).
- The Mid Hants Railway (23rd to 27th October).
- The Nene Valley Railway (1st to 10th November).

PW

[34053]

There have been some 'interesting' developments regarding the future of Main Line Excursions by 'Tornado'. Up until now, all of 'The Cathedral Express' excursions have been with Tour Promoter 'Steam Dreams' and Train Operator DB Schenker. However, 'Steam Dreams' is changing the Train Operator it uses to 'West Coast Railway Company'. Unfortunately 'Tornado' is not on WCRC's 'books'.
The 'A1 Trust' (the Locomotive's owner) does already have an operating subsidiary company - 'Tornado Steam Traction' and plans to run its own Excursions, primarily on the 'East Coast Main Line' and the 'Settle to Carlisle Line'.
The next and FINAL 'Cathedrals Express' will be from London to Shrewsbury, on 23rd November 2013, with no further scheduled Main Line work before a 'mid-term overhaul' of the Locomotive, planned to start in January 2014. The Trust expects to run about six Main Line Tours next year, following completion of the overhaul.

PW

[34053]

The next and FINAL 'Cathedrals Express' will be from London to Shrewsbury, on 23rd November 2013, with no further scheduled Main Line work before a 'mid-term overhaul' of the Locomotive, planned to start in January 2014. The Trust expects to run about six Main Line Tours next year, following completion of the overhaul.

PW

Unfortunately, 'Tornado' is 'unavailable' for this Excursion (tomorrow) and will this will now be hauled by 70000 'Britannia'.

So, that's it Folks! No more Main Line running behind 'Tornado' until 2014

PW

[34053]

Things have been very quiet on the 'Tornado' front since the start of 2014. This is because the Locomotive has been undergoing 'Winter Maintenance' work.

The first of the scheduled Excursions (Main Line) for 60163 are as follows:
- Saturday 12th April: 'The White Rose' [London Kings Cross to York and return]
- Saturday 5th July: : [London Euston to Carlisle and return]
I will post Timings/Route details nearer the time.

Then there are visits to TWO 'Preserved Railways', to haul Service Trains for the very first time:
- Saturday 12th July and Sunday 13th July: The Swanage Railway.
- Monday 28th July until Sunday 3rd August: The Bluebell Railway.

PW

[34053]

The next main line Excursion by 'Tornado' will be:

- Monday 25th August: 'The Devon Belle' [London Paddington to Exeter and return]. Details will follow, when confirmed.

However, just a reminder that you can see 60163 before then, at two Preserved Railways:

-The Swanage Railway: 12th & 14th July. There is also the opportunity to Drive 'Tornado' on 11th July and on 18th and 19th July. Very few places left, but if you are interested here is the link:

https://www.myonlinebooking.co.uk/swana ... spx?tid=25

- The Bluebell Railway: 28th July until 3rd August.

PW

[34053]

Here are some details of the final, Main Line appearance of 'Tornado' this year, before her withdrawal for an 'Intermediate' overhaul in October

- Monday 25th August:'The Devon Belle': London Paddington-Slough-Reading-Newbury-Exeter and return

At the moment, I do not have the usual 'UKsteaminfo' Route/Timings details. I have found the following 'confirmed' details on the UK Railtours (the Tour Promoter) website:

Depart: London Paddington 07:19; Slough 07:52; Reading 08:20; Newbury 09:02
Arrive Exeter 13:35
Depart Exeter 16:33
Arrive: Newbury 19:35; Reading 20:33; Newbury 19:35; Slough 20:50
Arrive London Paddington 21:17

I will post more detailed info' between now and Bank Holiday Monday, if it becomes available.

PW

[Minty4371]

Ray
Outward journey times.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U ... 5/advanced
Return journey times.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U ... 5/advanced
Times for steam loco moves.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U ... 5/advanced - Steam into Paddington
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U ... 5/advanced - Steam out of Paddington

[34053]

Thank you Robert. Much appreciated.

PW

[34053]

Just a quick 'Update':

'Tornado' is currently under Overhaul. The Locomotive has been stripped down and the Boiler has been returned to the Meiningen Works (in the former East Germany) where it was originally built, for overhaul. Meanwhile, the Rolling Chassis has been moved to Darlington and the Frames jacked up to allow the Wheels to be removed.

I will let you know, in due course, what the plans are for Main Line Excursions in 2015. However, I understand that (as in 2014) these will be somewhat limited and you will have to catch them when you can.

Thank you to all of you have followed this Topic this year and I wish you a Happy and Healthy 2015.

PW

[34053]

The 'Heavy' Overhaul of 'Tornado' has taken much longer than expected. Consequently, the first Main Line Excursions, hauled by 60163, will now commence on 20th June. This will be:

- 'The Highland Rambler' [Stirling-Perth-Kingussie-Inverness]. This will be followed by further Excursions 'North of the Border' on 21st, 22nd and 27th June. For further details (and 'Timings' nearer the dates) use the link below:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs15.htm

'Tornado' will also be in regular use, from July, on the 'Belmond British Pullman' (formally VSOE) Trains, covering for 'Merchant Navy' Bulleid Pacific 35028 'Clan Line'', which comes out of traffic for her '10 year' Major Overhaul.

PW

[34053]

Next Main Line Excursion for 'Tornado' is on Tuesday 7th July:

- 'The White Rose': The 'Steam Hauled' return leg [1Z60] from York to London King's Cross. Use the link below for the latest Route/Timings information:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t15/t0707c.htm

PW

[34053]

Next Main Line Excursion for 'Tornado' is on Sunday 26th July:

- 'The Torbay Express': [Bristol to Kingswear and Return]. Use the link below for the latest Route/Timings information:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t15/t0726k.htm

For August, the Excursions are:
- Sunday 2nd August: 'The Torbay Express' [As Above]
- Saturday 8th August: Surrey Hills Excursion [Belmond British Pullman (formerly VSOE)]

On Tuesday 11th August, 'Tornado' will be at The Nene Nalley Railway

PW

[34053]

Here are the current 'Route & Timings' details for the August Excursions:

- Sunday 2nd August: 'The Torbay Express': [Bristol Temple Meads-Weston super Mare-Taunton-Paignton- Kingswear (and return)]:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t15/t0802k.htm


-Saturday 8th August: 'Belmond British Pullman' (Surrey Hills Excursion): [from London Victoria (and return)]:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t15/t0808a.htm

Next Main Line Excursions will be on 23rd and 26th September. However, 'Tornado' will be at the 'Nene Valley Railway' (near Peterborough) from 11th August until 2nd September:

http://www.a1steam.com/index.php?option ... Itemid=123

PW

[34053]

The next Main Line Excursion will be:

- Friday 11th September: Belmond British Pullman (previously VSOE) [London Victoria-Staines-Shalford-Redhill- London Victoria]. Current 'Route/Timings' are as follows:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t15/t0911a.htm

The next Excursion will be on 23rd September (that date sounds very familiar )

PW

[34053]

The next Main Line Excursion is on Saturday:

-Saturday 26th September: The Silver Jubilee Talisman. Out: [London Kings Cross-Potters Bar-Peterborough-York-Darlington-Newcastle Central] Return: [Newcastle Central-Durham-York] (Diesel from York to London Kings Cross).

For Route and Timings please click on the link below:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t15/t0926c.htm

The next Main Line Excursions are :
- 6th November
- 8th December
-12th December
[All 'Belmond British Pullman' (formerly VSOE)]

PW

[34053]

In addition to the above 'Main Line' appearances, you can still 'get up close and personal' with 'Tornado' this month, at the Severn valley Railway [including pre-booked (via SVR) 'Drive & Fire' opportunities on 22nd and 23rd October), as part of the Railway's 'Golden Jubilee' celebrations. Details here:

http://www.a1steam.com/index.php?option ... Itemid=123

Also (dare I say) you will see 34053 'Sir Keith Park' there! (Just thought I would mention it ).

PW