European Railroad Discussion > A Green Tornado

In the UK they really know how to run a steam excursion - 70mph on the mainline with a full length matching train.  And to top it all off the engine was Tornado, which was built brand new in 2008 based on an LNER A1 "Peppercorn" class 4-6-2, largely to the original specs.  They are seeking certification for 90mph for this locomotive.  All photos taken on the Southern lines out of Victoria Station, London. 

The story of how they built this locomotive is fascinating - check it out here - -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Peppercorn_Class_A1_60163_Tornado The train was Orient Express stock and tickets were 350 pounds, so I decided just to chase (which you can do here by parallel train!!).

1.  Tornado and train at Wandsworth Common.
2.  Riding a Southern EMU set back to Victoria, we emerged parallel to Tornado just south of the Thames.
3.  Tornado entering Victoria. 

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4. Side view of Tornado
5. Tornado at the bumper post
6. Tornado's nameplate

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7. Tornado's tender.
8.  The happy crew.

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Really great photos!  Many thanks for posting.
ALLEN

BTW some local foamers I met told me that the same organization that built this locomotive is now building a brand new LNER Class P2 2-8-2.  Maybe the T-1 Trust folks should get together with these people to kickstart the T-1 rebirth.

Also note. No yellow or orange safety vests on the foot plate. No flags on the loco. No auxiliary tender. Why can't we produce the same?

First class in every way. Thanks for the great photos!

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com 

I think that final photo sums it all up. Thanks

andersonb109 Wrote:
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> Also note. No yellow or orange safety vests on the
> foot plate. No flags on the loco. No auxiliary
> tender. Why can't we produce the same?

In the US....lawyers....always lawyers. And OSHA. And just lack of the common sense to stay off the track when a train is coming......

That is one stunning loco.I just love that LNER green.Hope that rumor about another new build is true.
Regards,DK

DKay Wrote:
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> That is one stunning loco.I just love that LNER
> green.Hope that rumor about another new build is
> true.
> Regards,DK

It's not a rumour, there are four or five groups actively building steam locomotives, the P2 is just one of them. Another is building an LMS 4-6-0 Patriot, a group on the Bluebell Railway (which I have supported) a LB&SCR 4-4-2. Whether any or all will see the light of day is the big question, but they are all active. Elsewhere the 2' Brecon Mountain Railway is building a Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes 2-6-2 based on the shell of a Baldwin 2-6-0 they obtained from Brasil.

For those interested in seeing how these schemes progress here are a few links for three of the active new build schemes

http://www.lms-patriot.org.uk
http://www.p2steam.com
http://www.gcr567loco.co.uk
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/locos/atlantic/

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/14/15 05:05 by 86235.

andersonb109 Wrote:
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> Also note. No yellow or orange safety vests on the
> foot plate. No flags on the loco. No auxiliary
> tender. Why can't we produce the same?

They don't use flags on in the U.K.

Fantastic shots.  I was lucky enough to see  her in blue in 2013.  To me her lines suit the BR Express Blue to a T!

Great pictures!  Thank you!

Very nice, what an engine!  That crew shot is great!

Andy

Great shots of an amazing locomotive.

Outstanding.. The British have shown how we can have a NEW steam locomotive constructed from the ground up with that X-year old Tornado of theirs, with more to come.

Now it's our turn.. Contribute to the PRR T-1 Trust, and we can get an amazing beast to reappear on US rails!  They are off to a good start, with more to come.

Cheers,
Harry
A contributor to The T-1 Trust.

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That vertical clearance entering Victoria Station is really TIGHT!