Tornado test trains

[beresford]

Do we have any insiders here who can give info on the Tornado test trains on the GCR? For example:

1) When it will start pulling loads as opposed to running light.
2) Whether it will be running at weekends or just during the week.

[Gavin-D]

Hi the *Tornado could be in steam this weekend 23,24,25 at the ever popular Thomas the Tank Engine weekend however it won't be pulling any passengers untill it is fully certified. The first month will be taken up with testing The engine will run by itself and then with empty carriages. In late September Tornado will pull its first passenger trains, initially for the thousands of people who have helped sponsor the build. Then the trains will be open for everyone, for three weekends until the middle of October*. Then after that it should be coming back to Darlington for the finishing touches, getting it's mainline certificate then it should commence charter run's the first been in Darlington after that it will be visiting: Scarborough, York, Bath, Bristol and Oxford hope this helps.

*Anyone who is going to see the Tornado is advised to phone the Great Central Railway first.

Regards
Gav

[LNERandBR]

Steam Railway has said it will star at the Steam Railway Readers Weekend at the GCR alongside Cromwell but there's nothing on the GCR's website conferming this yet.

[johncas]

Today is the answer is today and yesterday to great to see it I have a video of it to when I get it uploaded will post a link

IT is only doing one train at the end of the day with coaches and running light engine during the day it is Thomas weekend and yes HIT ENTERTAINMENT have those rules and we had to get permission to run it as there rules say all locos must have a face on it which Tornado wont

When it runs light engine during the week will be for the network rail 60mph tests and the railway will be CLOSED to visitors on the day so only viewing will be from the road kinchley lane is a good place and other bridges along the line no access to stations the dates for the testing is a secrete the date thats happening we won't know as for weekend running that will be light engine if it runs the first passenger trains are scheduled for September 22\23rd and will be here for the big steam railway mag gala on the 11th and 12th of October there might be other guest engines there on that date best phone the GCR to check first Im a volunteer there and don't know the full info I did not even know it was running tonight ( Sunday night) untill we was about to Lock the date and heard the whistle in the distance.