60163 Tornado accelerates thru West Ruislip. Up W Shakespeare. 30-Dec-2011.MOV

A1 Locomotive Trust Limited A1 Class No: 60163 Tornado accelerates as it gets "the road" at West Ruislip (WRU) at the head of the United Kingdom Rail-tours Up William Shakespeare from Stratford-upon-Avon to London-Paddington. Tornado hauled the Down train this morning. It's Friday 30th December 2011 at about 18:25 and Tornado was bang on-time. It was running on Yellow signals but, as it approached WRU it got the road and the driver opened up the regulator.
Tornado was meant to be running behind the Aylesbury to London via High Wycombe service train but, as that was running ten minutes late Network Rail let Tornado go on ahead.
From WRU Tornado would head South, passing South Ruislip and then taking the ex-GWR main line from Northolt Junction, where the Chiltern main line turns towards Neasden, to Old Oak Common, where the train would join the First Great Western main-line for the final lap into Paddington. The ex-Great Western main-line from Northolt to Old Oak Common is now single line and only carries freight. This was Tornado's last run for 2011.
Trivia time. This was the 106th and final return steam excursion to, or around London in 2011. 16 of those 106 were hauled by Tornado. Remember, up until 18th June Tornado had not worked 1. Only 1 of the 106, this train was called William Shakespeare. Only 2 of the 106 passed WRU.
WRU is a 5-track, four-platform station. Platform 1 and 2, an island platform are the end-of-line bays for the London Underground-Central Line. Up Central Line trains go to Central London, City of London and then right out to Epping, Essex. Platform 3,is the Down Main. Commuter trains go onto High Wycombe and Prince's Risborough and the fast trains go to Banbury, Bicester and Birmingham. The middle track, which Tornado ran on is the Up Main and all trains go to London-Marylebone. Platform 4, where I stood is the Up relief and is served by commuter trains to London-Marylebone.
The line through WRU was opened in April 1906 by the Great Western and Great Central Joint Committee. The line connected the Great Central and Metropolitan main-line from Neasden and the Great Western main line at Old Oak Common. It's purpose was to give the Great Central a less busy main-line to and from Marylebone and avoid the Joint Line with the Metropolitan. It also gave the Great Western a shorter main-line to Birmingham. However, the Great Western only sent commuter trains up this line in its first four years.

The station at WRU was opened with the line and was served by four tracks. The Great Central started operating main-line and freight services, as well as commuter trains in April 1906 but the Great Western only ran commuter trains to High Wycombe until 1910.

Hope you enjoy and please give me your feedback. I wish all viewers and subscribers a Happy, Prosperous and Steamy New Year.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• 60163
• Tornado
• accelerates
• thru
• West
• Ruislip
• Up
• W
• Shakespeare
• 30
• Dec
• 2011
• Copy

[robmasterman]

a wonderful sight Barry, well captured...Bob

[bkendlerA4]

@robmasterman Hello Rob, Thanks for the comment. It was nice to see that Network Rail had let 60163 go ahead of a Chiltern service train. Barry

[MrKnowwun]

nice clip

made up for the breakfast special!

[bkendlerA4]

@MrKnowwun Thanks. Glad you liked it. Barry

[HomeMoviePerson]

Lovely shot. Nice beat from Tornado and a great atmosphere and location to compliment it. Would you have a look at my shot if you have time (bit late uploading!) Thanks for the uploads and all the best for 2012 -Hayden.

[bkendlerA4]

@HomeMoviePerson Hayden, Thanks for the comment.Much appreciated. I'll have a look. Have a great New Year. Barry

[bkendlerA4]

@allan5919 Thanks Allan, Glad you liked the clip. Nice to see steam on the Chiltern main-line. Barry

[allan5919]

A lovely night time clip of Tornado Barry.

Thanks for sharing.

[bkendlerA4]

@wangernumb100 Thanks for the comment. Glad you liked it. Barry

[bkendlerA4]

@EMuksteam Hiya EM, Yes and 60163 was bang on time. Barry