The Communication Cord on a Regular of Her Merchandising Campaign
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The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust THE New Steam for the Main Line COMMUNICATION CORD No. 17 December 2009 CONVEntION 2009 “NOTES” Neil Whitaker Neil By Stephen Slack Tornado at full speed from the air. Mark Coronation, Cathedrals Express to York I will find it hard to convey in a short opened his talk by formally welcoming then trips to Gloucester, Wales, Minehead article the eerie sense of satisfaction and two new Advisors to the Board: Gill and a stint on the West Somerset Railway. anticipation, of pride in what has been Lord (Merchandising) and Richard Peck A ‘Cathedrals Express’ took in Victoria and achieved so far and expectation of what is (Commercial Operations) although the Father’s Day doubles (with a special to come and of wanting to recall the highs both had been getting their hands dirty word of thanks here for the locomotive of the past year while looking forward to for some time. He then reeled off the support team who have to ready Tornado the possibilities of next year that pervaded “highlights of the Year” from the unveiling for two trips on these occasions). Then a this year’s convention. A full house at the at York, the first ‘Peppercorn Pioneer’ runs visit ‘home’ in some sense of the word to Ringwood Hall Hotel near Chesterfield along the ECML firstly York-Newcastle Tysely where the frames were cut. High meant ‘standing room only’ at the back for then Doncaster-Durham, ‘The Talisman’ Summer and the ‘Torbay Express’ (of late arrivals as we settled down to hear which was said to have attracted 30,000 course) then Towy and Tamar before some the views and opinions of the Board. sightseers, Valentine’s Day specials, outings for Steam Dreams and a visit to Mark Allatt kicked things off by showing The Royal naming, ‘Auld Reekie’, a visit Didcot. an evocative video from YouTube – all to Barrow Hill to bring together two Next up was David Burgess covering the more impressive when we were ‘A4’s and an ‘A2’ as well as our ‘A1’, the Financial highlights. Covenanter income told it was the work of a 15 year old! ‘Yorkshire Pullman’ from King’s Cross was up 14%; total income up 46%; expenditure If you haven’t seen Tornado from the air followed a week later by the Top Gear up reflecting increased operating costs you really must buy one of the videos ‘Great Race to the North’. A visit to the now that Tornado is working. Income from available from the Trust: words like North York Moors Railway brought the bank interest for us like everyone is poor. “stunning”, “breathtaking” come to mind site of Tornado pulling teak coaches then However, total income for the year is on but simply don’t do justice to the sight of back to the main line with runs on the par with the last. The commercial loan ➤ 1 with Venturesome was cleared during we need to recruit an apprentice to learn (Left-right) Editorial by Stephen Slack the year well ahead of schedule. We still the ‘Tornado Way’. Other modifications Graham have to repay the £500,000 Bond with were made such as a second water filler Hubbard his edition during the period when Tornado was being repayment due between 2012–16. On on each side of the tender which results (Bachmann of The built. This will cover maintenance and top of this, we now have to start thinking in much speedier refilling and a change to Models) T Communication engineering in more detail than can be about building up a fund to ensure we have grease lubrication of the valve gear. presents Cord includes a covered in TCC on a regular basis and will sufficient reserves to conduct the 10 year Richard Peck dealt next with Mark review of the 2009 also feature historical articles on previous overhaul when this is due promptly. Commercial Operations and reiterated Allatt with Convention in ‘A1’s and other material of a longer shelf Continuing the theme, Gill Lord the fact that Tornado had made 36 days the new addition to many of life. It is my intention to publish timings presented next on the staggering results out on the main line and had visited 4 00 gauge the regular columns; in The Communication Cord on a regular of her merchandising campaign. From a railway centres. Looking forward to 2010, model of it was good to meet basis as requested at the Convention: Tornado. position where virtually nothing existed, he anticipated 40 days out on the mainline you at the Convention and my lasting this will start in 2010 and feature a star Neil Whitaker memory is that our own merchandise performance. I hope there will be enough Gill and her team have built up a wide and visits to other heritage centres. Since tables were at least two-deep every space in Top Link to include a numbers range of merchandise suitable for all the Convention plans have developed and time I walked past. Two articles are of timings as a review of 2009. As I said tastes and pockets. Very early on a policy is the subject of another article in TCC. omitted from this edition: firstly the at the Convention these are publications decision was made to exclusively use “Tornado Needs YOU” accompanied Financial highlights appear as part of for you and so you views and feedback stock sourced from the UK, this statement by a picture of Lord Kitchener was the Convention review and secondly, are welcome. Although December will was met with a spontaneous round of Alexa Stott’s opening message to the being part of the events team, office of accommodation in the support coach. with the winter maintenance period hardly have started when this is due to be applause from the hall. The main stay of Convention. She made no apologies for administration, database management, It was quite a poignant moment when he approaching, you may be pleased to know printed let me wish all readers a Happy the merchandising exercise is provided the plagiarism highlighting the fact that website development and maintenance, reminded the Convention that Tornado that Engineering and Maintenance will Christmas and remind you that there is by the numerous volunteers who help at one point in the year Tornado made submission of photos and management of had been the last steam locomotive at Old be given more space in an edition of Top still time to visit the website or complete Gill on days when Tornado is operating, three main line runs in severn days the photo/video archives and involvement Oak Common. Link early in the new year. Top Link was order forms for Tornado merchandise and be it on the main line or when visiting as the introduction to the update to in communications and presentations. As From the hotel we adjourned to Barrow a publication that many of you will recall get the goods back in time for Christmas if Heritage Railways. This involves long hours volunteers and support staff. These fall Tornado’s travels take her to all parts of the Hill and, following a very well prepared as the quarterly journal for Covenanters you act fast! TCC and dealing with the ‘Great British Public’ into three main areas: Support Crew, country, she encouraged Covenantors to and presented buffet lunch, we were able and often having to negotiate their way Events Team and Merchandising. The get involved. Rob Morland followed Alexa to keep our private appointment with through a moving train with a trolley and volunteer base is expanding outside the and gave the Convention an insight into Tornado which you can read more about in stock avoiding and cooperating with the heartland of Darlington and the North the work of the support crew. There are Covenantors’ Diary. As I have mentioned Tornado gently simmers at Barrow Hill. stewards and passengers. The net result of East with Covenantors from all over currently twenty nine signed up members in the Editorial the merchandising stand this tremendous activity has been a profit the country being involved. The sorts of and their involvement starts at 10:00 a.m. was busy all afternoon and there was a well into five figures. Our thanks and things that people get involved with are: before the run prepping the locomotive. particular peak of interest when the latest congratulations go to all those involved working on the support crew, cleaning They all are required to have passed the Bachmann ‘OO’ gauge model of Tornado and if you would like to join them the tales gang, acting as stewards on rail tours, PTS Track Safety and the FTR Exam. Rob made an appearance courtesy of Graham they tell indicate that a good time is always working on the merchandise trolley, explained the day in the life and the sort Hubbard. TCC had by all. David Elliott followed Gill and covered the subject of Engineering and FROM THE CHAIR by Mark Allatt Maintenance. This was mainly a summary It seems to be a recurring theme for me to write in my column We are therefore keener than ever to encourage as many of what you have probably read already in about the hectic pace of life with Tornado, but as you will read supporters as possible to join us by becoming a Covenantor, previous issues of TCC. The year marked in this issue of TCC things haven’t slowed down at all! It’s been making a donation and/or taking out a dedicated donation the transmission from construction to an amazing few months with ‘The Winton Train’, the Trust’s to sponsor a part of the locomotive (there are still many operation so firstly the number of the ‘The Waverely’ trains over the S&C, our annual convention components left to support even though almost all of them outstanding build activities required at Barrow Hill and our visits to Didcot and the Severn Valley are already on the locomotive!).