LNER 60163 ‘Tornado’ on the “Bard of Avon” at Manchester. 23/03/2019

Today sees the long-awaited return of LNER Peppercorn A1 60163 ‘Tornado’ to Manchester as it took charge of UK Railtours’ “The Bard of Avon” tour for Stratford-on-Avon via Crewe and Shrewsbury.
Britain’s newest (for now!) steam locomotive last graced the city of Manchester back in its’ inaugural year, 2008, when it visited the Museum of Science and Industry (then still rail-connected, of course.) As most Tornado-watchers will know, this tour was supposed to run in August of last year, only to have to be rescheduled in the wake of 60163’s well-publicised ECML Snafu last year.
It also sees another long awaited sight for steam fans- a departure from the terminal platforms at Piccadilly station (still ‘London Road’ to the old-timers!) something which one enthusiast told me today hasn’t happened this century. I’m happy to be corrected on this, of course...
The ECS has had a lengthy journey from Eastleigh overnight with Tornado being attached at Crewe for the drag back to the blocks at Piccadilly. First, there’s a few clips of the more mundane going’s on, including a Virgin Pendolino set heading for Euston, a TPE 185 heading for the Airport, a Chester-via-Altrincham bound ex-GWR 150 getting into a race with a pair Airport-bound 156s in new and old Northern livery (the latter still carrying the name ‘William Huskisson MP’ after the unfortunate politician who was killed in an accident on the opening day of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway).
Then we get to the real action as a DB Cargo Class 67 013 drags the ECS into the platform just as a Northern 319 EMU heads for Crewe. We get to see plenty of ‘Tornado’ getting prepared, before a getaway that can only be described as ‘Volcanic’!
This is my first video with a proper tripod, so I’m trying out getting multiple camera views. Still a bit of a work in progress, but I enjoyed today all the same.
Enjoy
Ross 🚂
Addendum: thanks for all the very kind comments and for making this my most-watched ‘Tornado’ video to date. 😃

[@sam8alex12]

A very nice video , Thank you

[@30453trains]

Ernest Johnson you’re welcome. 👍🏻

[@stestepney]

Very nice Ross i'm on the other platform 5.23-59 grey hair and dark coat cheers Steve ..

[@ChrisLawtonorganist]

excellent! I like the way you included shots of the station interior and the sprinters etc as well.

[@30453trains]

Cheers. Whilst steam is my main interest, if I see something I like the look of I try and include it. 👍🏻

[@ChrisLawtonorganist]

@@30453trains and why not!

[@JoshHemingwayMetcalfe96]

Brilliant video of a Tornado out there Ross. Well done

[@30453trains]

Josh Mallard thanks a lot. Glad you enjoyed it. 👍🏻

[@philipholt9112]

Hi.My name is Phil Holt.like the video looks good.Brings back memories of the days when I was a fireman and fired steam train out of Manchester piccadilly In the 1960s I did 50yrs on the footplate.Regards.Phil.

[@30453trains]

Philip Holt thanks for your comments and reminisces. 👍🏻😂

[@allan5919]

A super video of 'Tornado' with the different cameras Ross. A great effort. Cheers - Allan.

[@30453trains]

allan5919 cheers Allan. Much appreciated. 👍🏻

[@SimonTog]

Very nice Ross :)

[@30453trains]

SimonTog cheers. 👍🏻

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I’ve saw it at wythall station

[@TheBrickGuy7939]

I saw it speed through Heaton Chapel.

[@olikirrage]

I see me at 1:17

[@30453trains]

Hello 👋🏻

[@olikirrage]

👋

[@olikirrage]

I’m uploading my vid later, currently in Preston

[@Cpr1234]

FACE REVEAL ALERT!

[@olikirrage]

Lmao if you look hard enough then you can see me reflecting in the window of the 323 when I got on it