60163 Tornado ROARS up Dainton and BLITZES up Hemerdon with The Royal Duchy!

The Royal Duchy returns with the much anticipated return of 60163 Tornado back in Devon and Cornwall after so many years out. Tornado was to haul the Royal Duchy along the usual route climbing Dainton and Hemerdon as Tornado returns to Devon and Cornwall with it's usual destination being Par. Tornado had been out of traffic for a while due to overhaul plus repairs during testing, however she was back on the mainline hauling the annual Great Britain tour, and having another crack up the fiercing South Devon Banks.

I chose fours shots of Tornado in action on The Royal Duchy, the first shot took me to Whiteball to witness Tornado making mincemeat up Whiteball Bank towards her water stop at Tiverton Junction, a few miles away. The engine sounded as great as ever and even didn't seem to do anything, meaning a really good climb from Tornado.

The next shot I filmed from was Stoneycombe on Dainton Bank. Tornado was running just over 10 minutes late due to unscheduled stop at newton Abbot to allow two late running trains through. That hindered a potentail fast climb up Dainton. However, it turned out to be a blessing. If Tornado was on time, It would've been pretty overcast, however due to her being late, meant it was sunny when Tornado tackled Dainton Bank. The sound was aboslutely lovely and despite the standing start at Newton Abbot, the diesel seemed to be being nothing which shows the true power of Tornado.

My next shot was at Hemerdon by the now extinct loop, to see Tornado returning to Bristol. Tornado was running 10 minute late, howver yet again was lucky. Had Tornado been on time, I would've got soaked due to a sudden downpour, but because Tornado was late meant the rain stopped and replaced with sun and cloud. However, due to Tornado being late it meant that the diesel on the back had to do a bit of work to get Tornado to the top of Hemerdon without holding up any othe trains. Despite that though, Tornado sounded incredible with her distinctive chime whistle to onlookers young and old. Tornado was still sounding incredible passing us trying to make up for lost time.

My final shot took me to Fordgate near Bridgwater to see Tornado basking in the evening sunset on her final stretch to Bristol. I arrived in good time, and even though the fierce clouds were gathering, luckily the clouds weren't close enough to be a threat. Tornado was bang on time as she thundered through the delightful Somerset countryside in the lovely sunset.

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