In the UK, it’s not unusal to see steam trains on the main line railway as they operate on railtours or train cruises. But on timetabled services? Not since the last steam service ran nearly 50 years ago.
Until yesterday.
Northern Rail and the A1 Locomotive Trust teamed up to operate the steam Locomotive “60163 Tornado” on the Settle to Carlisle Line.
60163 Tornado at Tyseley Locomotive Works in British Railways Apple Green Livery – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Tornado will operate two return journeys between Appleby and Skipton until Thursday, with tickets priced at £17 return (and less if you have a railcard). Chartered rail services can be (and normally cost) a lot more to ride.
However, if you’re wanting to make tracks to get a seat aboard – reservations have pretty much vanished according to Northern Rail. Sadly, standing room on the train is not permitted.
Out for the #Tornado Plandampf today on @setcarrailway. Look forward to taking a trip behind it tomorrow! @60163_Tornado @RAIL @dales3peaks pic.twitter.com/aadHt6LLi2
— stuart petch (@thelightoutside) February 14, 2017
Tornado crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct
Today with @northernassist @SteamRailway @RAIL and others we have revived the romance of the steam train #valentines #Englandinlove pic.twitter.com/g90kvPkvq6
— DB Cargo UK (@DBCargoUK) February 14, 2017
The mighty #Tornado pulling into #Skipton today. Send us your pics and we’ll re-tweet the best! #IloveSandC pic.twitter.com/IbUIqkSIyy
— Northern (@northernassist) February 14, 2017
The Settle to Carlisle Line is one of the most scenic rail lines in the UK (your writer travelled on it in the early 2000s). However, parts of it has been closed since a landslip
In the period, the line has been operated by the usual diesel trains up to Armathwaite, with bus services replacing services between Armathwaite and Carlisle.
The work restoring the full line are due to be completed by the end of March, and if you visit the United Kingdom, I urge you to visit the Settle to Carlisle Line if you love stunning scenery (sadly the pictures my digital camera from around 1998 does not do it justice… well a Casio QV10 wasn’t the newest digital camera technology at that point!).
It’s one of the United Kingdoms Great Railway Journeys for a reason.
BBC News and The Guardian has coverage.
An interesting quote from Graeme Bunker – Operations Director of the A1 Steam Locomotives when being intervened for BBC News states:
It’s something we could do once a year, maybe twice a year. It would fit in Cornwall, in Anglia, in Scotland
Whilst not a full return to Steam on the cards, it could be the start of something very special for those who hark back to the days of steam locomotives plying the rails.
60163 Tornado has a very interesting story from conception to delivery – which can be summed up in a dedication plate on the train:
Tornado is not a preserved locomotive like a lot of steam locomotives – rather it was built between 1994 and 2008, being the first steam locomotive constructed since Evening Star (the last one built by British Railways in 1960, withdrawn 1965).
The A1 Locomotive Trust is moving ahead with its next project – A Gresley P2 Locomotive
Let’s hope they’re successful.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates! You can also follow me on Instagram too!
Also remember that as well as being part of BoardingArea, we’re also part of BoardingArea.eu, delivering frequent flyer news, miles and points to European readers.
Most likely being powered by coal. I’m surprised the government would let them operate it.
Coal/Steam traction is allowed on the National Network thanks to tight procedures the crews are have to follow by Network Rail, DB Cargo (who provide the drivers) and The A1 Steam Trust who own the locomotive.
Steam operated services – operated as charters – aren’t unusual in the United Kingdom national rail network.
The rare thing is having one on a public rail service.
Providing the train meets the Network Rail safety case, it can ride – it’s brought a lot of preserved traction back on the UK Rails.