Tornado 30th May Runs to and From Bristol

mow · Post by **mow** » Sun May 17, 2009 9:12 am

UK steam shows Tornado running from Gloucester to Cardiff, the return from Wales to Bristol Temple Meads via the Severn Tunnel on May 30th.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs09.htm#twk

Then the engine takes a tour down to Minehead on the Saturday evening.

Rich_Eason · Post by **Rich_Eason** » Sun May 17, 2009 10:07 am

One not be missed...

I wonder if Pilning will do parking reservations?

tonyperks · Post by **tonyperks** » Wed May 20, 2009 8:32 am

Me and the Misses are booked on the Evening trip, Looking foward to it my first stem main line trip.

Robin Summerhill · Post by **Robin Summerhill** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:43 am

The UK steam info website suggests that there might be two steam locomotives in Bristol that day - 60163, and 70013 on a Poole to Bristol train.

Of course, "proper" Poole to Bristol trains should run via Templecombe and Bath Green Park, but there might be a proble in doing that thse days

Rich_Eason · Post by **Rich_Eason** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:35 pm

Robin Summerhill wrote:The UK steam info website suggests that there might be two steam locomotives in Bristol that day - 60163, and 70013 on a Poole to Bristol train.

Sadly, I think I know which loco is going to feature more on this page on the day of the runs...

If time permits, I'd like to grab a shot of both

APW · Post by **APW** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:32 pm

I can't decipher the times for Tornado - the Pathfinder site is not clear on this:

http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/Steam. ... r300509SCE

Does anyone know?

Robin Summerhill · Post by **Robin Summerhill** » Fri May 22, 2009 10:36 pm

APW wrote:I can't decipher the times for Tornado - the Pathfinder site is not clear on this:

http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/Steam. ... r300509SCE

Does anyone know?

There was a case on the UK steam info site where the timings for 60163 on 25th April on a Kings Cross to Edinburgh run were added retrospectively on the request of the tour promoter.

We must hope that similar requests have not been made regarding this one!

mow · Post by **mow** » Sat May 23, 2009 8:44 am

The A1 trust site lists Tornado making a positioning run to Bristol on 3rd July.

http://www.a1steam.com/index.php?option ... Itemid=148

I was wondering if Tornado reaches Temple Meads about 1.00 -1.10; the tour heads back to Gloucester at 1.40, (behind a diesel) so my guess is that it might be that the train runs through the Severn Tunnel about 12.30-12.40.

Tornado is put on at Gloucester, and heads off at 8.00 to Chepstow, Newport and Cardiff, where 3 hours is allowed to explore the delights of Cardiff. I guess that it leaves Cardiff about Midday for the run to Bristol.

It is still as clear as an MPs expense claims.

BristleGWR · Post by **BristleGWR** » Sat May 23, 2009 12:20 pm

mow wrote: I was wondering if Tornado reaches Temple Meads about 1.00 -1.10; the tour heads back to Gloucester at 1.40, (behind a diesel) so my guess is that it might be that the train runs through the Severn Tunnel about 12.30-12.40.

Tornado is put on at Gloucester, and heads off at 8.00 to Chepstow, Newport and Cardiff, where 3 hours is allowed to explore the delights of Cardiff. I guess that it leaves Cardiff about Midday for the run to Bristol.

It is still as clear as an MPs expense claims.

That's about what I can make out as well.

Tornado departs Gloucester at 08:00* and gets to Cardiff at say around 09:15. It then departs Cardiff 3 hours later, at say 12:15 and arrives at BTM 13:40*. It then departs BTM at 17.05* for Minehead.

*Confirmed time according to tour operators website

Robin Summerhill wrote:There was a case on the UK steam info site where the timings for 60163 on 25th April on a Kings Cross to Edinburgh run were added retrospectively on the request of the tour promoter.

We must hope that similar requests have not been made regarding this one!

That was a special case, filming for Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson on the footplate I believe.

I don't think that will be the case for this one., I expect the timings will be put up on uksteam within the next few of days.

Robin Summerhill · Post by **Robin Summerhill** » Sat May 23, 2009 3:45 pm

BristleGWR wrote:
That was a special case, filming for Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson on the footplate I believe.

A more unlikely TV presenter to be found on a steam locomotive footplate doesn't occur to me!

Perhaps he's going to start racing Foden steam lorries and wants to get to grips with the basic principles

chippy · Post by **chippy** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:18 pm

The top gear special pits the A1 against a DC-6 aircraft and a 1930's bentley...london - edinburgh...was more than a year in the planning and the outcome is a closely guarded secret...originally they wanted to use 4472 Flying Scotsman but because of delays with that project,their interest turned to tornado...the episode will be shown in the autumn.
J.R.

APW · Post by **APW** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:25 pm

Some more info:

The official West Somerset Railway web site states that Tornado is due to arrive at Minehead at 19.45 and depart at 20:40, but she will go no further than Bishops Lydeard as it will be working WSR trains each day between June 1st and 15th, including the "Mixed Traffic Weekend" between June 12th and 14th.

APW · Post by **APW** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:30 pm

chippy wrote:... a DC-6 aircraft ...

It looked very much like a motorbike to me!

chippy · Post by **chippy** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:48 pm

Don't think a motorbike has the same 'kudos' somehow. J.R.

horace · Post by **horace** » Sat May 23, 2009 11:14 pm

So long as she turns up in Bristol on the 5th July. I will be delighted and ready to hop aboard for my summer holiday trip south. Just like days gone by, will have to remember the bucket and spade!!

The Bristol Railway Archive

Tornado 30th May Runs to and From Bristol

Tornado 30th May Runs to and From Bristol

Top Gear special 'Tornado'

Re: Top Gear special 'Tornado'