An A1 from the footplate - Driving Experience on 60163 Tornado | Great Central Railway - 07.01.22

[@julianyknow6537]

this is an incredible video! well done on some brilliant driving with tornado, i can only dream of doing this :D one day i hope to.

[@themodster]

Thanks Julian. It was a great experience. You'll get your chance one day! Thomas

[@GBRf66715_]

Excellent video! Having driven and fired over this line, I can certainly say it is an enjoyable experience!

[@themodster]

It certainly was that! Thomas

[@hilsthetrainlady4683]

Just brilliant, Thomas. So glad you got to do this. Plenty of fine whistles!

[@themodster]

Thanks Hilary. I'm glad it went ahead. My driver Andy said I could whistle to any onlookers, so I didn't hold back. Thomas

[@OfficiallyCharles]

What an amazing video, I wish I had the opportunity to drive Tornado too!

[@themodster]

Thanks Charles. It was a lucky one that came up at the last minute. I'm sure the opportunity for you will come round! Thomas

[@Peppercorn60163Tornado]

You’re very lucky to be driving her Thomas, not many people have actually done this before besides another great vid, can’t wait for the next one! - James

[@themodster]

Cheers James. The opportunity only came around because of the GCR and the A1 Trust, so I was very grateful to them for making it happen. That alongside her mainline withdrawal of course. Sometimes good can come out of bad! Thomas

[@North_Wales_Trains]

Amazing Thomas really living the dream, lucky person awesome video

[@themodster]

Couldn't put it any better! Kudos to the crew for allowing me to film it. Thomas

[@locomotive6727]

Hi Thomas , Well done....Dave

[@themodster]

Thanks Dave. My driver said I did very well. Thomas

[@locomotive6727]

@@themodster Hi Thomas ,yes I think so too,....Dave

[@callumthornelow2936]

You really look the part there Thomas. Hope you had a great time, proper living the dream. (I think your camera date in the top left hand corner is just a tad wrong though)

[@themodster]

Felt the part Callum! Was fantastic. The camera has never shown the date before, so I was surprised it was enabled here, but I stated at the start of the video it was a mistake. Thomas

[@ncs8730]

The date is hardly noticeable and doesn't spoil watching the video a bit.

[@Peppercorn60163Tornado]

And speaking of driving Tornado, I think you’ve made me very jealous, I’ll see if the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway will do this too. - James

[@PenyghentProductions]

Superb there Thomas you look the part cheif !

[@themodster]

I was certainly in my element, Adam. Beat driving it light engine. The feeling you get at the controls of a massive mainline steam locomotive with 6 coaches in tow is indescribable. Thomas

[@mrmrst9020]

Brilliant 👍

[@themodster]

Thank you! Thomas

[@mcbenman1793]

this is my dream, you are so lucky to be able to do this

[@themodster]

Only happened due to her being moved to the GCR. Luck was certainly on my side. I recommend doing this if the chance comes up! Thomas

[@TERRYBARTLETTRAILMAN28]

Well Done mate well lets hope my day will soon come to drive Tornado or any other steam locomotive

[@themodster]

Thanks Terry. I highly recommend it. Driving a mainline steam engine is quite something, especially on a double track railway! Thomas

[@dinohdan]

Mad mate

[@ThunderD_Gameplay]

Wow Cool!

[@themodster]

Certainly was! Thomas

[@nielsleenknegt5839]

And Why does tornado have 2 Whislles?

[@themodster]

Believe it was a network rail requirement, as the loco was a new build and the teapot whistle wasn't considered good enough, it required a louder chime whistle.

[@ooff6351]

What are those switches above your head for? I haven’t seen them in a steamer before

[@themodster]

I'm not entirely sure, but I believe they're to do with the electrics. Tornado is a modern steam engine so was built to work with the modern mainline, with additions such as those. Thomas