Despite a few minor timing glitches, 'The Elizabethan' was a resounding success, allowing D9009 Alycidon and Tornado to really stretch their legs on familiar territory.  We raised £1,099 on the raffle for Tornado's Elizabethan headboard and offer our grateful thank to all those who took part.  We would normally name the winner but he had modestly asked us not to do this.

Tornado, bearing the headboard, tears through Alnmouth - Jack Beeston

In association with Pathfinder Tours we find ourselves providing motive power for yet another train this week!  Due to the unavailability of No. 70000 Britannia, Tornado has stepped into the breach to cover her absence on the 'Tamar Devonian', double-heading over the Devon banks to Plymouth with Duke of Gloucester.  This is the first time British Railways designed and built No. 71000 Duke of Gloucester and Tornado have worked in tandem over the national rail network. An historic occasion indeed providing Class 16 super-power on this hilly route!

This run will be the culmination of an epic week for Tornado, having completed 510 miles with the Royal Train last Monday, 'The Elizabethan' on Wednesday and a Northampton to Winchester and return 'Cathedrals Express' on Thursday.  By Saturday evening No. 60163 will have covered over 1500 miles on Network Rail which is incredibly impressive for the preservation era but a routine weekly mileage for an A1 in traffic in the 1950's and 60's!  Full marks to the very hard-working support crew and on train staff who have already worked some exceedingly anti-social hours this week.

Starting with diesel haulage from stations to Bristol, where the two engines will be ready to take over for the initial run across the Somerset Levels to Taunton and a water / photographic stop. Then it’s into the Blackdown Hills and over Whiteball Summit to Exeter and a run along the famous South Devon sea wall, with its fabulous views, before skirting the undulating flank of Dartmoor, with the steep climb of Dainton and Rattery Banks, culminating in the final run down into Plymouth.

Passengers will have around four enjoyable hours in Plymouth. This historic city and port has a wide range of attractions, eateries and shops, including the famous Hoe and the Barbican marina and maritime quarter. The Classic Boat Rally and Jazz Festival will be in full swing this day at the barbican.  Alternatively, Pathfinder Tours has organised a Plymouth Barbican and Tamar River cruise.

In the late afternoon the special train departs Plymouth, giving a second chance for passengers to enjoy the great scenery and hear these two popular steam engines hard at work on the undulating route through Devon and Somerset back to Bristol, with the diesel locomotive returning the train to joining stations.

The first overnight Royal Train hauled by steam for around 50 years

510 miles of Tornado hauling the Royal Train

HRH The Prince of Wales's third trip behind Tornado with the Royal Train

Tornado's first climb up the Lickey Incline

Minor repairs to cylinder drain cocks completed on the road with a new component manufactured within the hour and fitted

A day to remember...

 The Royal Train at Northallerton - Jack Beeston

London King’s Cross to Edinburgh on Wednesday 25^th July 2012 with famous new steam locomotive 60163 Tornado and iconic Deltic D9009 Alycidon

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, the registered charity behind famous new steam locomotive 60163 Tornado, is the recreating ‘The Elizabethan’ express in celebration of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. ‘The Elizabethan’ was the premier train on the East Coast Main Line in the post-war period and this unique railtour will showcase Tornado at her best and provide nearly 400 miles of travel behind an iconic Deltic.

On Wednesday 25^th July 2012, Deltic D9009 Alycidon will set out from London King’s Cross station with her first main line passenger train for many years and head north to Edinburgh, pausing to collect passengers at Peterborough, York and Darlington. After a break in the Scottish Capital, Tornado will head the train south covering the 393 miles to London - the reverse of her famous BBC Top Gear ‘Race to the North’ with Jeremy Clarkson on-board - setting down as outward. This will be the first time a Brunswick Green liveried Peppercorn class A1 will have departed Edinburgh Waverley station since the 1960s and we are pleased to confirm that the carriages will be in the historic carmine and cream livery. Passengers in premier dining will receive a traditional silver service throughout the journey based upon an Anglo-Scottish menu.

We expect there to be much fast running at the permitted maximum of 75mph and with this being a summer tour we anticipate wonderful views of the Scottish coast and the Northumberland and Yorkshire scenery with the long daylight hours.

The timings for ‘The Elizabethan’ express on Wednesday 25^th July 2012 are as follows:

Mark Allatt, chairman, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented:

“Having hauled the Royal Train during HRH The Prince of Wales’s visit to Northumberland, we are delighted to be able to join in the celebration of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with the re-creation of ‘The Elizabethan’ express. This iconic train of the 1950s was British Railways’ response to the optimism prevalent at the dawn of the new Elizabethan era. With both Tornado and Alycidon on the route they were designed for, this unique railtour will be a day out to remember for all of those lucky enough to be on-board.”

The Trust respectfully requests that anyone wanting to see Tornado follows the rules of the railway and only goes where permitted.

Background

In order to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, British Railways renamed ‘The Capitals Limited’ express to ‘The Elizabethan’. The first runs of ‘The Elizabethan’ were made on Monday 29^th June 1953, and then resumed for each summer season, until at the end of the 1961 season on Friday 8^th September, when the last steam hauled runs were made. Being non-stop between London and Edinburgh in both directions, only corridor tender fitted Gresley class A4s could be used, the sheds at King’s Cross and Haymarket being those to provide them. The inaugural time for the journey was 6¾ hours but in 1954 that was reduced to 6½ hours or only 390 minutes start to stop for the 392.7 miles. From 1962, Deltic diesels took over and whilst nominally non-stop to passengers, they halted briefly at Newcastle for crew changing.

‘The Elizabethan’ express was steam hauled from 1953 to 1961 and Deltic diesel hauled in 1962. Therefore 2012 will mark the 50th year since ‘The Elizabethan’ service was withdrawn and 2013 will mark the 60th year since the service was introduced. “The Lizzie” as the service was affectionately known was principally hauled by Gresley class A4s due to their corridor tenders, although there were times when other classes of steam locomotive deputised for the A4s. Some of the occasions when A1s deputised are 60121 Silurian on 24^th & 25^th July 1954, unique Thompson class A1/1 60113 Great Northern on 25^th August 1954 and 60155 Borderer on 12^th September 1954.

 ‘The Elizabethan’ was immortalised in Elizabethan Express, the 1954 British Transport Film that follows the non-stop service from London to Edinburgh along the East Coast Main Line. Although originally intended as an advertising short, it now acts as a nostalgic record of the halcyon years of steam on British Railways and the ex-LNER class A4s. It was directed by Tony Thompson, with a poetic commentary written by Paul Le Saux. It is also notable for its music by Clifton Parker, who wrote the score for several other British Transport Films.