YEEEHAAA - I AM OFF ON HOLIDAY -NOT TO A GAME RESERVE THOUGH

[bigbird]

Wow! the coastal shots bring back some fond memories. We did the journey from Crewe to Truro on our Honeymoon, all the coastal route, a bit warmer in August 1975 though!

[Flutterby]

Amazing pics STF!! Would just love to do that!

[Lisbeth]

What a pity, that the weather was so grey and misty

[steamtrainfan]

Cool stuff STF I have never seen the snow

In fact it is more than cool stuff.

Wow! the coastal shots bring back some fond memories. We did the journey from Crewe to Truro on our Honeymoon, all the coastal route, a bit warmer in August 1975 though!

Hi bigbird. Welcome on board. Glad to have brought you some memories of your honeymoon.

Amazing pics STF!! Would just love to do that!

Thanks very much Flutterby. Maybe put it on your bucket list. -O -O

What a pity, that the weather was so grey and misty

Yes Lisbeth - it was disappointing but then again it made for quite dramatic scenes along the sea wall.

[steamtrainfan]

Lets continue along the Sea Wall.



Wrapped up against the cold.


Some weird tree shapes as we accelerate up the climb out of Kingswear.


An old viaduct a little bit further on.


High up on the cliffs coming into Goodrington.


Coasting - excuse the pun - down to Goodrington.


Back on the Sea Wall about to enter one of the four tunnels.


A night shot of Tornado at Exeter St Davids.


Tornados name plate.


Finally, back at Padding at 23:15, Tornado rests next to one of her modern counterparts.


Thats all for the steam train trip.Next, our lunch at a lodge.

[Amoli]

Wonderful trip STF... loved the sea wall and the mist of the waves breaking.

The train made me think of my childhood days, and when the bits of coal would blow into our eyes.. -O -O

Thanks for sharing.

[Richprins]

Is that a woman with a baby in a pram on the sea wall?

How old is that train again, stf?

I think your pics are very good! Do you also use the "anti-shaking hands" function?

[steamtrainfan]

Wonderful trip STF... loved the sea wall and the mist of the waves breaking.

The train made me think of my childhood days, and when the bits of coal would blow into our eyes.. -O -O

Thanks for sharing.

I suffered from a few bits of coal dust in my eyes - man is it painful - but well worth it.

We are so pleased you have enjoyed it so far.

[steamtrainfan]

Is that a woman with a baby in a pram on the sea wall?

How old is that train again, stf?

I think your pics are very good! Do you also use the "anti-shaking hands" function?

It is indeed a lady with a baby - nuts.


Not very old R.P. - Here is the story.

In 1990 a group of people came together to share an extraordinary ambition - to construct a brand new Peppercorn A1 Pacific. They formed The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and after nineteen years of incredible effort that locomotive, No. 60163 Tornado, moved under its own power for the first time in 2008.

This website tells the story of Tornado's construction, an amazing tale of cooperation, skill and sheer hard graft which defied the critics who said it could never be done. The A1 Trust has over 2500 regular supporters (covenantors) who have all played some part, small or large, in guaranteeing that we have steam on the main line in the 21st Century.

Tornado is now fulfilling the dream, hauling specials on the mainline and giving joy to thousands of passengers and linesiders who want to witness the legend in action. You can be part of this by travelling with us or by becoming a covenantor, helping us to raise the £500,000 that still needs to be found to keep the dream alive.

The last of the renowned Peppercorn class 'A1' steam locomotives was scrapped in 1966, but, as you can read on this website, a brand new 'A1', No. 60163 Tornado, has been brought to life in Darlington.

Fitted with additional water capacity and the latest railway safety electronics, Tornado is fully equipped for today’s main line railway. However, for her to continue main line passenger service we need your help – and you can still come on board for the price of a pint! This website tells the story of the building of the locomotive and our plans for the future. We hope you’re able to join us on this exciting journey.

The A1s were designed by Arthur H Peppercorn (29 January 1889 - 3 March 1951), the last Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER). They were the last in a line of famous express passenger steam locomotives for the East Coast Main Line that included the Stirling Singles, the Ivatt Atlantics and the Gresley Pacifics.

The original 49 Peppercorn Class A1s were ordered by the LNER and built at Doncaster and Darlington for British Railways (BR) in 1948/9, after the nationalisation of the railways. As designed they were ideally suited for the post-war world of poor maintenance and heavy trains, with their 50sq ft grate allowing them to use lower grade coal than their predecessors. The final five were even equipped with roller bearings enabling them to go for an average of 118,000 miles between heavy repairs, making the A1s the cheapest to run of all British steam locomotives in the same category. They were also the most reliable of all of the express passenger steam locomotives owned by British Railways.

Unfortunately, the rapid onset of dieselisation in the 1960s meant that all 49 were scrapped, after an average life of only 15 years. There was an attempt to save the last, 60145 Saint Mungo, but this unfortunately failed and it too was withdrawn in June 1966 and scrapped in September of the same year. As there was no Barry Scrapyard for ex-LNER locomotives, here the story has until now ended.


Thanks so much for your compliment - on this lens 18 - 150 this function is not offered.

[Richprins]

So how old is the locomotive?