60163 Tornado

[Benbo]

For those that are interested, 60163 Tornado is due to visit the Bluebell Railway in West Sussex from Saturday 31st July - Thursday 05th August 2010Tickets can be booked in Advance by calling the railway on 01825 720800 according to the bluebell railway website. I for one shall hoepfully be going, as a visitor like Tornado doesn't come to Sussex very often!

Cheers

Ben

 

[sprinterguy]

I'd say that's a bit dicey, Tornado is currently out of action due to problems with firebox stays, every event featuring Tornado up to just before the Bluebell visit has been cancelled-So that'll be a case of fingers crossed that they get her fixed in time! Hope it all goes well.

 

[TheExmoorBeast]

Extracted from the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust's website.

Two suspected faulty stays in Tornado's boiler were identified during a routine inspection of the locomotive by fitters at Stewarts Lane depot on the morning of Saturday 26th June.

These faults were not present when a similar inspection of Tornado was conducted on Friday 25th June during the locomotive's lay-over at Crewe Heritage Centre following her use on 'The Border Raider' excursion the day before.

This new discovery follows the identification of five defective stays in late May/early June and the subsequent replacement of these five stays and seven neighbouring stays during repairs at Hither Green depot.

The A1 Steam locomotive Trust has therefore taken the safe and prudent decision to temporarily withdraw Tornado from service to enable a comprehensive repair to be put in place.

Since the earlier defects were discovered the Trust has been conducting a thorough investigation into the likely causes, which has yet to be completed. All of the Trust's customers have been advised of the situation and will be informed of Tornado's planned return to service date as soon as possible.

Mark Allatt, chairman, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented:
"This latest news is a blow to all of Tornado's supporters and customers and our customers' passengers.

We are working as hard as we can to bring Tornado back to full health as soon as possible and back onto the main line where she belongs."

Information on when Tornado will return to traffic will be posted on www.a1steam.com as soon as it becomes available.

All booked workings (until August 16th) are currently listed as either cancelled or TBA or an alternative locomotive listed in lieu of Tornado, so the chances of Tornado appearing at the Bluebell can at best be described as optimistic.

 

[Templecombe]

the germans have got a lot of explaining to do.

 

[Mista Merlin]

I'd say that's a bit dicey, Tornado is currently out of action due to problems with firebox stays, every event featuring Tornado up to just before the Bluebell visit has been cancelled-So that'll be a case of fingers crossed that they get her fixed in time! Hope it all goes well.

I thought they had fixed her as she pulled Mallard up to NRM Shildon a couple of weeks ago?
Saw her in steam from London to Norwich at Shenfield (Both ways) on 28th May 2010. She looked marvellous.
It is also good to hear that she will be making a nett profit from around October and encouraging to hear that a second new steam loco is planned. Would love to see a new Streamlined A4!

 

[Bittern]

Wasn't Tornado just out of service with faults not too long ago? She obviously was fixed when she guided Mallard to Shildon.

I'd love to see her in person, but that probably won't happen until she comes to Glasgow, whenever that'll be.

 

[Vulcan]

I visitied Isreal Newton's boilerworks (just up the road from my house ) a couple of years ago and Gordon Newton, who owns it all now, was telling me about his reservations about Tornado's German boiler construction methods.

 

[Benbo]

I hope she is repaired as would love to see it

 

[TheExmoorBeast]

As I stated previously, all booked workings by Tornado are currently cancelled until Mid-August at the earliest; However I suspect that you won't see it back out on track until at least the end of July if you're very lucky.

 

[Chris125]

I visitied Isreal Newton's boilerworks (just up the road from my house ) a couple of years ago and Gordon Newton, who owns it all now, was telling me about his reservations about Tornado's German boiler construction methods.

As this update makes clear, "[there are] no defects with the materials used in the manufacture of the boiler, nor is there any long-term issue around the management of the boiler".

If i understand whats been posted elsewhere correctly, it is down to the modern, hollow stays being used - they have 'telltales', making failures more obvious than the traditional type. Presumably this is safer, but also more disruptive.

Chris

 

[Teaboy1]

Anyone here able to supply a drawing/photo of these hollow stays?? The traditional stay was (LMS 8F is my only experience from KWVR 1970's) solid, screwed in with a square head on outside and a flat nut then put on firebox side to prevent erosion from fire. Flat(thin) nut to outside to finish.
Obviously there were long un's, middlin' & short un's depending on position, but always those nearest the fire were the ones that failed soonest, anything above the brick arch had an easier time and lasted longest.

I believe earlier types were peened over on the head and could be peened a few more times to seal them up. These are copper boxes but as Tornado is a steel box, I have no idea what Gerry use.

Anyone care to enlighten me??
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Good grief.........another one!! This IS impressive of what the UK preservation movement is capable of.....only hope it survives the economic downturn!

http://72010-hengist.org/index.html

Not sure if this is the correct format (not wishing to detract from Tornado thread) but that chap Pete Waterman and his blog;

http://pete.railnuts.com/2010/04/ scroll down to Another side to story

is clearly mocking these "models" , well I say 'so what !' In my opinion, there's nowt wrong with the UK scene Pete, if it 'aint broke.........dont mend it!! True the boiler case-book is difficult but the alternative dont bear thinking about!!
Sorry if its not entirely Tornado content reply admin, HTH!

 

[455driver]

Well it isn't like he has pi##ed off (diesel) preservationists with his antics of buying the best available but then after everybody else has taken delivery of worse examples deciding not to buy the best ones and they go to scrap yards as everybody else has bought theirs and don't have any money left, 26s if anybody cant remember!

 

[Vulcan]

As this update makes clear, "[there are] no defects with the materials used in the manufacture of the boiler, nor is there any long-term issue around the management of the boiler".

If i understand whats been posted elsewhere correctly, it is down to the modern, hollow stays being used - they have 'telltales', making failures more obvious than the traditional type. Presumably this is safer, but also more disruptive.

Chris

Well firstly, of course the A1 trust are going to say that. Secondly, I was only recalling what was said to me a couple of years ago by a man who owns a business building boilers, and he only said he had some reservations about the methods used in the construction of Tornado's boiler, not the materials or the way they manage the boiler, as per your bold comment above and the A1 website.

 

[Stuart Galbraith]

I can see why the makers of Tornado went to Germany, at the time they were taking enough risks as it was. Going to someone who still made compareable boilers looked pretty sensible.

OTOH, I think what PW has to say (hes is not very clear admittedly) is that if we want this kind of capablity to remain in the UK, we have to try and source as much as we can from the UK. Or eventually you end up iwith something like the Queen Mary 2, the only British thing about it is the name.

Assuming you could swap a brand new boiler in, how often would the rest of the locomotive require an overhaul? Im guessing something like 15-20 years, would that be about right with the kind of work main line locomotives get today? I wonder what the cost of building boiler would be if you bought them in batches of 5?


Ironic when you think about it, the only locomotives we still make in the UK are steam ones. To which the answer of course is, quite right too.

 

[Chris125]

Well firstly, of course the A1 trust are going to say that. Secondly, I was only recalling what was said to me a couple of years ago by a man who owns a business building boilers, and he only said he had some reservations about the methods used in the construction of Tornado's boiler, not the materials or the way they manage the boiler, as per your bold comment above and the A1 website.

I think its safe to say that the owner of a competing British business, specialising in traditional boiler construction, is slightly biased when it comes to the question of modern/european vs traditional/british boiler construction.

In my opinion, unless you or anyone else know anything different from whats in the press release, why doubt it? When it comes to boiler problems i find it hard to believe any organisation would try and hush up any kind of serious issue, let alone one as professional as the A1 Trust.

Chris

 

[Vulcan]

Wasn't doubting anything. Just saying as all.

I don't think Isreal Newton's could really be called a competing boilermaker, as there isn't nearly enough space in there for a A1 sized boiler. When I went the workshop was full of traction engines and the GWR railmotor boiler.

 

[455driver]

When it comes to boiler problems i find it hard to believe any organisation would try and hush up any kind of serious issue, let alone one as professional as the A1 Trust.

Chris

Well IF there was a serious problem they are hardly going to shout it from the rooftops are they?

 

[Chris125]

Well IF there was a serious problem they are hardly going to shout it from the rooftops are they?

No, but neither would they send out press releases making crystal clear there is no inherent design or manufacturing issues. We are talking about a boiler here, a hugely expensive pressurized bomb - no one is going to lie or cover up a major problem, especially as it would be up to DLM to sort out not the trust.

Chris

 

[The Snap]

A friend of mine who is based at Hither Green said the rumours from inside the camp are that 60163 will be released sometime this weekend .

 

[Mista Merlin]

That's good news! Fingers crossed if that info is correct!

 

[The Snap]

That's good news! Fingers crossed if that info is correct!

The cab's in two bits ATM by all accounts, but I can't see it taking too long to knock back together .

 

[creilly81]

Hi all,

Just registered and have a feeling this is the start of many posts!

I've been up to Regent Street in London today from Tonbridge in Kent. I kept a good eye open for Tornado on the way up, but it was obviously hidden within shed. However on my way home about an hour and a half ago, i'm pleased to report the whole complete assemble loco attached to tender appeared to be in light steam in the sidings just outside the main Balfour Beatty shed.

Good news all round. as i've followed this loco all round the country, tracking her progress and can't wait to get going again.

 

[455driver]

Tornado is booked to do a loaded test run on Monday from Wembley to Eastleigh, it is dragged by a 67 from Hither Green (0700) to Wembley Euro (0835). then picks up the train and runs Tornado, 13 coaches, 67 on rear from Wembley (1025) to Eastleigh TMD (1305), then Eastleigh TMD (1412) to Hither Green (2009).

 

[MikeWh]

Would this be the engine I've just seen going through Crayford towards Hither Green at about 1945? It only had one coach in tow though. Wish I'd known it was due to come this way as I'd have had a camera ready.

 

[455driver]

That would be the one, but it was booked to have its POB coach plus 12 others and a 67 on the back.

 

[matt]

That would be the one, but it was booked to have its POB coach plus 12 others and a 67 on the back.

I believe it was a full rake going to Eastleigh but returned with just the support coach.

 

[455driver]

What happened to the 67, it was supposed to operate back to Wembley as 0Z63 at 2030.

 

[MikeWh]

Thanks for the info. Good to see that it was pretty much spot-on with time as well, as Crayford is about 15-18 minutes from Hither Green. Any ideas what route it would have taken from Eastleigh?

 

[TGVDUDE]

What happened to the 67, it was supposed to operate back to Wembley as 0Z63 at 2030.

67 027 worked to barton hill, then 0Z67 Barton Hill - Aberthaw

 

[northernsteam]

Good grief.........another one!! This IS impressive of what the UK preservation movement is capable of.....only hope it survives the economic downturn!

http://72010-hengist.org/index.html

Yes Teaboy1, there are actually several new build schemes out there, in differing guises, some using s/h parts, others from scratch. Hengist is a from scratch (well almost!) project. The web site is excellent. I also hope it survives the downturn, and the hike in steel prices.It might just take longer than hoped.