Valentines Day

15th February 2009

It was a gala day for steam lovers in Southern England yesterday with three steam locos in action on mainline railtours - Clan Line, Tangmere and, of course, Tornado; the latter undertaking two, a lunchtime and evening Cathedrals Express on behalf of Steam Dreams.

As last weekend, the interest generated by Tornado is quite amazing; the two locations I stopped at, West Dean near Romsey and Micheldever, were full of both rail-fans and members of the public curious to see what all the fuss is about. And by and large they all seemed to go away really satisfied with what they had seen.

So maybe Tornado, although a throwback in many ways , might be an ambassador for the 21st century railway. Stranger things have happened.

Crofton, Wiltshire; whilst waiting for Tangmere a London-bound HST passed en-route to Bedwyn. 3860x2608 20090214_01.jpg	Tangmere made a fine sight climbing the grade towards the summit of the Berks and Hants at Savernake. 3064x2248 20090214_02.jpg	About 90 minutes later, and having fought my way around Salisbury's Ring Road, Tornado made a fine sight approaching West Dean 4012x2712 20090214_03.jpg	Tornado was illuminated by a patch of sunlight... 3808x2303 20090214_04.jpg
...which also caught 67028 bringing up the rear. 4000x2516 20090214_05.jpg	About an hour later my final picture of Tornado was just south of Micheldever, climbing the grade towards Roundwood in fine style. What is really impressive is the ease with which Tornado appears to handle a train of 13 cars plus the 67, well over 400 tons. 3948x2564 20090214_06.jpg	A little while later at Micheldever a XC 220 on a Bournemouth train. 3840x2577 20090214_07.jpg	An Edinburgh bound Voyager about to enter Popham Tunnel... 4008x2625 20090214_08.jpg
...from where, half an hour later, 66572 emerged... 4044x2560 20090214_09.jpg	...on what I think was the 4O02 from Lawley Street, diverted via the WCML. 4072x2581 20090214_10.jpg