Tornado steaming into the future
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7876162.stm
It is IMO excellent news to see the return of a new steam loco on our tracks.
I remember my parents taking me to central station in Leeds so I could watch the steam trains while they went off shopping. Nothing unusual you might think but I was probably 12 - 14 years old and nowadays doing that would land you in court. In those days there were plenty of friendly staff around to keep an eye on me and I even got a cup of tea...free! I lost interest in trains when Beeching cut our local branch line and introduced diesel engines.
I would never consider using the train nowadays but if it was being pulled by a steam loco I would consider it even if it had modern coaches!
It is IMO excellent news to see the return of a new steam loco on our tracks.
I remember my parents taking me to central station in Leeds so I could watch the steam trains while they went off shopping. Nothing unusual you might think but I was probably 12 - 14 years old and nowadays doing that would land you in court. In those days there were plenty of friendly staff around to keep an eye on me and I even got a cup of tea...free! I lost interest in trains when Beeching cut our local branch line and introduced diesel engines.
I would never consider using the train nowadays but if it was being pulled by a steam loco I would consider it even if it had modern coaches!
Edited by Steve748 on Saturday 7th February 16:26
I watched it go through stood on a bridge just north of Knebworth station, we could see the platforms and they were packed.
Also apparently at Stevenage station the guards opened the barriers to allow people onto the platforms to see it through and they were packed as well.
It looked fantastic coming down towards us with the snow covered tracks and the clouds of steam above the train, just like a scene from a Christmas card!
Proper trains with proper engineering!
Also apparently at Stevenage station the guards opened the barriers to allow people onto the platforms to see it through and they were packed as well.
It looked fantastic coming down towards us with the snow covered tracks and the clouds of steam above the train, just like a scene from a Christmas card!
Proper trains with proper engineering!
Mick Travis said:
How would you best go about booking a trip on a carriage pulled by that?
They have a website: www.A1steam.com (though it doesn't seem to be accessible today). I think today's charter was organised by 'Steam Dreams'.I watched it go through Welwyn Gdn City; hundreds of spectators on the platforms, footbridge & multi-storey.
I had one of those days you only really ever dream about.
My dad in his 70's now, my 4 year old son and myself left Hatfield station 1/2 hour ahead of Tornado or as it was named on the day "The Talisman" resplendent in it's bright green paint work shinning as it did on that bright wintry day.
We witnessed station after station with it's platforms jam packed with the biggest bunch of bearded men I've ever seen, but not only them but whole families, old and young all craning the necks up track waiting for their first glimpse of the choo-choo.
We also chatted with other people on there way to Kings Cross, and listened with absolute awe at the stories of men who used to work the railways years ago and also hearing with pride of my own fathers story of seeing The Flying Scotsman and The Mallard passing through Welwyn garden city station years ago and him getting covered in soot and steam as it passed under the bridge he was on.
Anyway we arrived and took up a position on platform 2 behind a loco that was already parked only for a second train coming in that would cover our view as Tornado would arrive into it's prize berth of Platform 1
We shuffled along to the end of P2 and looked on with a huge pride as she glided into view and with a short blast on the whistle nestled into it's final resting place at the other end of the station.
A couple of pictures later and off to lunch and back to Hatfield with 3 very tired members of my family but still completely blissful at the sighting of such a beautiful wonderful steam train.
Well done to all those of the A1 trust.
A proper Britain is still great moment.
My dad in his 70's now, my 4 year old son and myself left Hatfield station 1/2 hour ahead of Tornado or as it was named on the day "The Talisman" resplendent in it's bright green paint work shinning as it did on that bright wintry day.
We witnessed station after station with it's platforms jam packed with the biggest bunch of bearded men I've ever seen, but not only them but whole families, old and young all craning the necks up track waiting for their first glimpse of the choo-choo.
We also chatted with other people on there way to Kings Cross, and listened with absolute awe at the stories of men who used to work the railways years ago and also hearing with pride of my own fathers story of seeing The Flying Scotsman and The Mallard passing through Welwyn garden city station years ago and him getting covered in soot and steam as it passed under the bridge he was on.
Anyway we arrived and took up a position on platform 2 behind a loco that was already parked only for a second train coming in that would cover our view as Tornado would arrive into it's prize berth of Platform 1
We shuffled along to the end of P2 and looked on with a huge pride as she glided into view and with a short blast on the whistle nestled into it's final resting place at the other end of the station.
A couple of pictures later and off to lunch and back to Hatfield with 3 very tired members of my family but still completely blissful at the sighting of such a beautiful wonderful steam train.
Well done to all those of the A1 trust.
A proper Britain is still great moment.
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