The new A1 visits Shropshire
Tornado in the Valley
25 & 28 October 2009
In March we'd had the good fortune to
be visiting Edinburgh at the same time
as the newly-built A1 -"Tornado" would
be hauling its first southbound train
from the Scottish capital. "Must make
the effort to see it again". I suppose we
could have made more effort... Then the news spread -
60163 would be visiting the Severn Valley Railway in late
October - great! Let's hope for some decent weather...
Saturday wasn't great, but Sunday morning
looked good, despite a heavy shower as I
left home. A goodly gathering of camera-
bearing enthusiasts assembled near Hay
Bridge - and were rewarded with the sun
coming out at just the right time (then
going in again - most unusual!). There
seemed to be a possibility that the preceding train would have
the N2 on it - now that would be a real bonus. It wasn't - it was
"Erlestoke Manor", running tender-first.
Work got the better of me on Monday, and Tuesday
wasn't very great, but Wednesday looked very promising
- and so it turned out. The natural amphitheatre near
Eardington seemed ideal - especially if, as rumoured,
Tornado had been turned. It hadn't ("they're turning it
this evening") - and the preceding train was hauled by
the N2 - and the sun was out again - wonderful!
I returned for the afternoon run - due into Bridgnorth at
4.04pm. The light was, of course, truly perfect - strong
and directional. Sadly, it was "third time unlucky". The
N2 had run short of steam, apparently, on its afternoon
run, and had left Bridgnorth around 20 minutes late.
There wasn't much chance of Tornado coming through
before 4.20... The weather did its best, but the sinking
sun got the better of us, and had just set when the train
finally came through just after 4.30 (yes, there was just
enough light for photos and video, but if it had been on
time...).
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
