Home»All my photos»2009 Railway Photographs»Tornado launches on the Torbay Express 5 July 2009

The newbuild Peppercorn A1 Pacific No 60163 Tornado began its season on the Torbay Express with some sparkling running from Bristol to Kingswear and return. The climb of Whiteball would set no records with a speed of only 33 on entering the tunnel, but a looping after Tiverton was followed by a high speed run into Exeter. Down the Exe estuary the running was also brisk, and only a little slower along the Dawlish sea wall. Moving onto the private steam railway at Paignton, she made a workmanlike effort with 11 bogies up the bank to Churston. On the return from Kingswear, she struggled with a damp rail on the climb out of Torquay, but there was another lively run to Exeter and the descent of Whiteball was stunning. Looped at Taunton and released behind the stopping train, she nevertheless managed several bursts of speed between the inevitable checks. We were three minutes early into Bristol Temple Meads, at the end of an excellent day.