Tornado Dream Day out

[Wizzo]

On Wednesday I was lucky enough to be invited by one of my customers to spend the day on the Tornado steam train travelling from Victoria in London down to Swanage in Dorset.

The Tornado is probably most famous for appearing on the Top Gear episode where Clarkson raced on it to Scotland against a vintage car and motorbike. The Train itself is superb and the word big does not do it enough justice, we was fortunate enough to travel by Premium First Class with all food included (5 course champagne breakfast and dinner) and I must confess to feeling a little tipsy on several occasions.

At full speed the sight, sounds and smells of the Tornado have to be experienced to be believed and the crowds lined the track for the entire journey which took approximately 8 hours. Sometimes I was envious of them as we hurtled through the main line stations at 100mph because they surely had the best view of this magnificent beast, but rest assured I was happily stuffing my face the entire time.

This would have been a dream day out for my beloved Dad as his world revolved around the whole steam era. With Fathers Day on Sunday, the whole day seemed like a fitting tribute to his memory.

http://www.a1steam.com/

[cosworth151]

Way cool. Wizzo! Looks like a great time!

[Ian]

They are something else Wiz, we often saw them on track and they are awesome. Once in Stewarts Lane yard in London, I had the priviledge of getting up on the footplate of a Merchant Navy class loco, the amount of pipes, valves and dials are something to behold, masterpieces of engineering, and I'm not a trainspotter before any of you comment, haha.

[David]

Nice one Wiz you luck luck man. I would love a run on the Tornado, but the Clarkson view would be my preference, up front feeding the beast.

Two words that don't usually appear together? Champagne & breakfast. No wonder you might have felt a little tipsy. 

[Scott]

Wow - Sounds like it was a blast...did you have to stop for water like Clarkson?

Great way to celebrate your Dad!

[John S]

Well your day out certainly trumps my outing on Thursday between New Romney and Dungeness on the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch railway Wizzo.

I was staying in St Mary's Bay in the Romney marshes on a short break for a few days earlier this week and as the light gauge railway runs through it I just had to give it a go.

I think the only similarity of our trips was the steam power, the big difference was the comfort and luxury - you got tipsy on champagne and I got a sore arris.  

Now I know what it feels like from an Hispania driver's point of view in a GP.

[Wizzo]

did you have to stop for water like Clarkson?

Yes Scott we had to stop twice to take on water but fortunately I wasn't the coal man.

Well your day out certainly trumps my outing on Thursday between New Romney and Dungeness on the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch railway Wizzo

Looks like another fine day out there John 

 

[cosworth151]

I've told several of my train chasing buddies about your trip, Wizzo. We are all suitably envious.