“Tornado” 100mph – Steam Engine.
10 cars started from “Dearne Valley Farm” on a dry but chilly morning, for our March run, roofs down was order of the day and our 2nd attempt to view the steam locomotive which was visiting the North Yorkshire Moors Heritage Railway as part of it’s whistle stop tour round a number of Heritage Lines to celebrate its 10th Anniversary since manufacture. The build made all the more remarkable, as it was funded wholly by sponsorship and public donation! It was shedded at Grosmont for the 7 day visit making journeys, mostly fully booked between PIckering and Grosmont.
It was our 2nd attempt to view, as the previous weekend was a “wipe out” and heavy snow curtailed our planned outing (it also curtailed “Tornado” arriving at Grosmont on its arranged date).
We made our way to Goathland via a very interesting and picturesque route, planned by our leaders, Burton & Lesley which took us via lovely villages full of spring flowers, daffodil and snowdrops. Brotherton, Aberford, Wetherby Services for a coffee stop and then up the A1 to Whixley and through Alne up the Sutton Bank and past the Yorkshire Gliding Club along the A170 to Helmsley and then Pickering and a drive over the North York Moors to Goathland.
A village made famous by the long running TV series “Heartbeat”. We parked up in a makeshift car park and all “decamped” across the road to the fictious “Aidenfield Arms” pub…. To make a plan!! The best way to view the engine… We decided to walk through the village and down the hill to the railway station and join others on the platform to see this special locomotive which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary by running on both Heritage and British Rail main lines pulling the many popular special excursions up and down the country.
It was a very nostalgic sight, especially for those of us of a certain age that can remember with fondness steam on British Rail!.
Another great monthly run out, and something both different and special to those of us there, the weather held fine all day and special thanks to Burton & Lesley for something very enjoyable in a beautiful part of the country on roads made for the MX5!
Paul Graham
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