Tornado

It's just a fabulous machine. I still have memories of, as a small child, passing through Euston Station with my parents. Seeing the great Loco's like living creatures, gently fizzing at the end of the platform. And of how everyone seemed to hush as they passed by, as though afraid they might stir the beasts into roaring. Which sometimes they did with a great blast of steam. They made an impression on me that has stayed with me all my life. I just love steam Locos.
 
I used to like standing on the bridges when the Loco's past and get covered in steam and soot, I will never forget the smell.

Flack
 
I saw this beast when it was still being built on North Road works, Darlington. The quality of machining work and the finished item are/were absolutely incredible. It is good to see we still have engineers who are capable of producing work like this without having to resort to a computer programme every time
 
I think we had to resort to Germany for the wheels. It seems incredible, but this country no longer has the requisite heavy industry.
 
And the boiler which had to go back after a few months for modifications at the Locomotive works in Meiningen where it was made. It will have had it's 10yr boiler 'ticket' renewed by now seeing that the original was from 2008. The original boilers made when the locomotives were made to work on the main line in UK were riveted construction while Tornadoes is all welded.
I do believe that some quite important refinements have been made as well to make it steam even better. Possibly to the airflow draughting to increase the efficiency and make more steam for less coal
 
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How interesting. I was fascinated by this project, and followed it quite closely at the time, remember the excitement of the initial rollout, but I've never seen her in the flesh, or rather, iron.
 
I am waiting for the next two locomotives to see light of day. Both are in and advanced state of construction a 'P2', 2-8-2 wheel configuration monster, not much bigger than Tornado but an iconic engine. On the opposite end of the scale a G5 0-4-4 tank engine, originally used all over the North East pulling suburban passenger trains. One of them used to pull coaches carrying me to school in the late 50's
 
en.wikipedia.org

LNER P2 Class 2007 Prince of Wales - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Couldn't find anything useful on the tank engine though.

I am just about old enough to remember steam trains on British Railways (as was), particularly at the level crossing on the way to see my gran. I rode one just the once and must have been excited. Oddly I remember the conversation about smuts, and how they got in the eye, more than I do the ride itself.
 
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