60163 'Tornado' Cambrian ETCS testing April 2025

[tfw756rider]

Hi,

I've read the following here on RailUKforums, and on the A1 Steam and RailAdvent websites:

bleeder4 of RailUKforums said on Thu 27/3/25: Tornado has been fitted with ETCS equipment for ECML operations (the first steam loco to be fitted) and it is planned to test it on the Cambrian between Shrewsbury and Welshpool (gauging restrictions prevent it from venturing any further). So they must be interoperable.

A1 Steam said on Fri 28/3/25: Tornado will move to Shrewsbury next week for ETCS testing before commencing its railtour programme. We will be announcing more details as soon as possible so please look out for updates in the near future.

RailAdvent said on Wed 2/4/25: Tornado is now expected to move to Shrewsbury this week for ETCS testing before its railtour programme can begin.

So, as I understand it, 60163 Tornado is expected to move to Shrewsbury this week (as of Wed 2/4/25) for Cambrian ETCS testing between Shrewsbury and Welshpool.

I understand, from when this originally going to take place around February 2024, that the testing will be at night during a line possession (which makes sense, as it will be its first ETCS testing on the line).

I'm just wondering if anyone here knows what date the testing will start (and/or what date 60163 Tornado will move to Shrewsbury)?

A1 Steam did say:

We will be announcing more details as soon as possible so please look out for updates in the near future.

...yes, but exactly what they mean by that / exactly what they're referring to isn't clear to me, and I don't want to miss it.

Thanks for any information / updates in here

 

[Rail Quest]

I believe this is the movement in question for the locomotive to travel there: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U49517/2025-04-03/detailed

 

[tfw756rider]

I believe this is the movement in question for the locomotive to travel there: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U49517/2025-04-03/detailed

Many thanks

 

[Meole]

Tornado in steam at Shrewsbury expected to start test runs tonight.

 

[tumbledown]

Is this it?

Realtime Trains | 5T63 2350 Coleham Lmd to Sutton Bridge Jn | 07/04/2025

Real-time train running information for 5T63 2350 departure from Coleham Lmd to Sutton Bridge Jn on 07/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

No scheduled train onwards but a 5Z63 is shown on Traksy on the Cambrian. Perhaps running under a possession, as there is civils train ahead of it at Talerddig?

 

[Wyrleybart]

Is this it?

Realtime Trains | 5T63 2350 Coleham Lmd to Sutton Bridge Jn | 07/04/2025

Real-time train running information for 5T63 2350 departure from Coleham Lmd to Sutton Bridge Jn on 07/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

No scheduled train onwards but a 5Z63 is shown on Traksy on the Cambrian. Perhaps running under a possession, as there is civils train ahead of it at Talerddig?

The magic box says 5T63 2350 Coleham - Sutton Bridge Jn on Monday night, coming back off the Cambrian as 5T63 0450 Sutton Bridge Jn - Coleham in the early hours of Tuesday. Schedule is MTWO

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Realtime Trains | 5Z63 1314 Coleham Lmd to Carnforth Steamtown | 18/04/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z63 1314 departure from Coleham Lmd to Carnforth Steamtown on 18/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Tornado leaving Shrewsbury today if anyone is interested in seeing her.

Paths are in for Tornado to leave Shrewsbury next week on Wed/Thu or Fri. WCR paths this time instead of GBRF.