I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted anything, although, to be honest, not much has changed in that time.
I still haven't had the chance to get to York, and it looks like I won't get the opportunity between now and Christmas. This is so frustrating, especially seeing reports of the mainline trials in the newspapers and on the website. Still, there's always next year and, if the newspaper reports are correct, I might get the chance to see her when she'll eventually be taken through the Channel Tunnel for testing in Germany (NOT under her own steam, I hasten to add - we've already had one fire in the tunnel this year. I don't think that Euro Tunnel would want another fire..... EVER!)
Tornado has already reached 75 mph in the UK but speed restrictions here prevent her from going faster. However, if I understand correctly, Deutsche Bahn has given permission for Tornado to go much faster. It would be nice if Tornado eventually broke Mallard's speed record, but so much nicer if the record could be broken here......
Anyway, back to Railway covers. The Main Line Tests have been completed, and Tornado is now in the paint shops in York, being painted in the LNER Apple Green livery. We are hoping to get the covers ready for despatch in the next few weeks - but we certainly want them to be out in time for Christmas.
I have heard that further covers are planned for next year, with new designs, for various "firsts" like the first passenger train. I only heard this morning, so I don't know anything more at the moment.
This might be my last post for this year so, in case I don't have any more news for you between now and then, have a very Merry Christmas.
Sarah
P.S. For the younger rail enthusiasts (and the young at heart!) I can confirm that we WILL be producing a cover for the 50th Anniversary of Ivor the Engine, a great little train of Wales......! Again, no designs have been finalised yet, so more will be known in the New Year, but we are working with Peter Firmin, one of Ivor's creators, to produce a cover. It will also be a fundraiser for one of Peter Firmin's nominated charities.
Friday, 28 November 2008
Friday, 31 October 2008
2009 - Down the Line update
Just because I've been quiet over the past few weeks doesn't mean I've been slacking! Far from it. It's been very busy here but we've just about got next year's timetable finalised (and we're about as prepared as we can be for any last minute additions).
There is a bit of a cross-section - as well as the "Great Little Trains of Wales" project that I've referred to in an earlier post, there'll be some "modern traction" and anniversaries including the anniversary of the opening of the Channel Tunnel, The Centenary of the Stephenson Locomotive Society and the Anniversary of the Railway Air Service. We are also hoping to get some covers carried next year, but we'll know for sure nearer the time.
The first of next year's covers (28th February) will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the closure of the Midland and Great Northern Line (now The North Norfolk Railway, or "Poppy Line"). Apparently they are planning a "mega gala" over that weekend so we're planning great things for this cover, to tie-in with the gala.
The next cover will be celebrating modern traction (just so you don't think that we're a steam only club!). On the 3rd of March sees the 20th Anniversary of the introduction of the Class 91 electric locomotives. This link will take you to an illustration of it on our website http://www.buckinghamcovers.com/shop/productdisplay.lasso?product_id=893
I hope that this has whetted your appetite for next year. If you're not already a member of our Rail Club, and would like to know more, you can check the "Join a Club" section of the Buckingham Covers website http://www.buckinghamcovers.com/clubs/index.lasso?-session=shopper:5369223B1aee41EB0FyWFE25C374 or you can contact me via the Buckingham Covers website, sales@buckinghamcovers.com
If you have any ideas of your own, don't keep them to yourself. Let us know and we'll see if we can include them.
Best wishes,
Sarah
There is a bit of a cross-section - as well as the "Great Little Trains of Wales" project that I've referred to in an earlier post, there'll be some "modern traction" and anniversaries including the anniversary of the opening of the Channel Tunnel, The Centenary of the Stephenson Locomotive Society and the Anniversary of the Railway Air Service. We are also hoping to get some covers carried next year, but we'll know for sure nearer the time.
The first of next year's covers (28th February) will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the closure of the Midland and Great Northern Line (now The North Norfolk Railway, or "Poppy Line"). Apparently they are planning a "mega gala" over that weekend so we're planning great things for this cover, to tie-in with the gala.
The next cover will be celebrating modern traction (just so you don't think that we're a steam only club!). On the 3rd of March sees the 20th Anniversary of the introduction of the Class 91 electric locomotives. This link will take you to an illustration of it on our website http://www.buckinghamcovers.com/shop/productdisplay.lasso?product_id=893
I hope that this has whetted your appetite for next year. If you're not already a member of our Rail Club, and would like to know more, you can check the "Join a Club" section of the Buckingham Covers website http://www.buckinghamcovers.com/clubs/index.lasso?-session=shopper:5369223B1aee41EB0FyWFE25C374 or you can contact me via the Buckingham Covers website, sales@buckinghamcovers.com
If you have any ideas of your own, don't keep them to yourself. Let us know and we'll see if we can include them.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Friday, 17 October 2008
Tornado on TV
I've been looking at the A1 Steam Locomotive site today and they have some very good photos of last weekend's Gala. There is also mention of the programme shown last night on BBC4 (as part of their steam season), and a link to watch it again.
The programme, entitled "Well Chuffed: The Men Who Built a Steam Engine", told the story - so far - of the men who had the dream and the drive to build Tornado. Part of the story I already knew but it was fascinating to hear the story being told, from the beginning, by the men involved.
For me, the most poignant moment was when Tornado had left to start her journey to Loughborough, when they showed the empty shed at Darlington. From a hive of activity to silence....
Anyway, the Tornado "roadshow" (should that be "rail show"?) will be moving on to York soon, for painting and display, and then to start the Main Line trials. And I know that I've been wittering on about seeing Tornado for myself, but that is still at the very top of my to do list for this year. I still have some time off left to take so there will be no guesses as to where I'll be wanting to spend it (I believe that York is lovely at this time of year.....).
Have a great weekend,
Sarah
The programme, entitled "Well Chuffed: The Men Who Built a Steam Engine", told the story - so far - of the men who had the dream and the drive to build Tornado. Part of the story I already knew but it was fascinating to hear the story being told, from the beginning, by the men involved.
For me, the most poignant moment was when Tornado had left to start her journey to Loughborough, when they showed the empty shed at Darlington. From a hive of activity to silence....
Anyway, the Tornado "roadshow" (should that be "rail show"?) will be moving on to York soon, for painting and display, and then to start the Main Line trials. And I know that I've been wittering on about seeing Tornado for myself, but that is still at the very top of my to do list for this year. I still have some time off left to take so there will be no guesses as to where I'll be wanting to spend it (I believe that York is lovely at this time of year.....).
Have a great weekend,
Sarah
Friday, 10 October 2008
Caught up in the Tornado..........
OK, so the title of this post owes something to a headline in yesterday's copy of the Times, but the article that it headed was very interesting. It seems that the trials on the Great Central are coming to an end, before the move to York for painting and the mainline trials. If you want to read the full article, go to http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article4908980.ece
Tomorrow is the start of a Festival of Steam at the Great Central, and I have wanted so much to get to this but unfortunately, I've been let down by transport problems (a v-e-r-y long story and not worth boring everyone else with). If any of you will be going (and I've spoken to a few people this week, who've tormented me by telling me that they are), feel free to include any photos of the weekend in your replies - it will be the closest I get to being there..........!
On the subject of this weekend's gala, we received a call from the A1 Locomotive Trust a few days ago, asking us for things to send them for selling at Loughborough. Although the covers themselves aren't ready yet, we've sent up some of the stamps sheets to sell and some leaflets to hand out. We've also sent some covers up to Loughborough for carrying - but they will NOT be available for sale up there, as they've got to come back here to be finished!
I hope that everyone has a great time at the Great Central this weekend (and I look forward to seeing some great pictures next week!!)
Best wishes,
Sarah
Tomorrow is the start of a Festival of Steam at the Great Central, and I have wanted so much to get to this but unfortunately, I've been let down by transport problems (a v-e-r-y long story and not worth boring everyone else with). If any of you will be going (and I've spoken to a few people this week, who've tormented me by telling me that they are), feel free to include any photos of the weekend in your replies - it will be the closest I get to being there..........!
On the subject of this weekend's gala, we received a call from the A1 Locomotive Trust a few days ago, asking us for things to send them for selling at Loughborough. Although the covers themselves aren't ready yet, we've sent up some of the stamps sheets to sell and some leaflets to hand out. We've also sent some covers up to Loughborough for carrying - but they will NOT be available for sale up there, as they've got to come back here to be finished!
I hope that everyone has a great time at the Great Central this weekend (and I look forward to seeing some great pictures next week!!)
Best wishes,
Sarah
Friday, 26 September 2008
Great Little Trains of Wales
Just a PS to my previous post.
I've made a discovery recently that could result in a rail related cover for something dear to my heart.
I'll post details of this, and other covers for next year, as soon as the list has been finalised.
Have a good weekend,
Sarah
I've made a discovery recently that could result in a rail related cover for something dear to my heart.
I'll post details of this, and other covers for next year, as soon as the list has been finalised.
Have a good weekend,
Sarah
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Looking down the line to 2009
Sorry, couldn't resist a little rhyme.
I've forced myself to look away from Tornado, and start looking to next year for cover ideas. I've got a few already but any others for next year, or even the year after, would still be appreciated.
Having seen the proposed Royal Mail stamp programme for next year, there could be a few possibilities for Rail covers, but naturally we'll have to wait to see the stamps themselves before making any final decisions. However, I can't see us NOT producing a rail cover for the proposed “Pioneers of the Industrial Revolution” issue. Will it be Thomas Telford or George Stephenson (or even both) - we'll just have to wait and see what the stamps look like!
“Once upon a time, in the top left hand corner of Wales..................”
As a child, one of my favourite programmes was "Ivor the Engine" (see, I've been a lover of steam engines from a very early age!). I mention this as I hear that one of our projects for next year will be a customised stamp sheet and a mini-collection of covers, commemorating the Great Little Trains of Wales. This will tie in with the “Celebrating Wales” stamp issue.
Unfortunately, “Ivor the Engine” won't be one of the Great Little Trains featured….
More details will be available nearer the time.
Best wishes,
Sarah
I've forced myself to look away from Tornado, and start looking to next year for cover ideas. I've got a few already but any others for next year, or even the year after, would still be appreciated.
Having seen the proposed Royal Mail stamp programme for next year, there could be a few possibilities for Rail covers, but naturally we'll have to wait to see the stamps themselves before making any final decisions. However, I can't see us NOT producing a rail cover for the proposed “Pioneers of the Industrial Revolution” issue. Will it be Thomas Telford or George Stephenson (or even both) - we'll just have to wait and see what the stamps look like!
“Once upon a time, in the top left hand corner of Wales..................”
As a child, one of my favourite programmes was "Ivor the Engine" (see, I've been a lover of steam engines from a very early age!). I mention this as I hear that one of our projects for next year will be a customised stamp sheet and a mini-collection of covers, commemorating the Great Little Trains of Wales. This will tie in with the “Celebrating Wales” stamp issue.
Unfortunately, “Ivor the Engine” won't be one of the Great Little Trains featured….
More details will be available nearer the time.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Tornado blows into the Great Central Railway
I really envy some of you, actually getting to see Tornado. I've lost count of the number of you who've phoned up and said that they've actually seen her! Please don't torment me like this - I'm desperate to see for myself!
I had an email from a very lucky collector recently, giving his account of Tornado's arrival at the GCR, and he's very kindly allowed me to post some of it to the blog.....
"Delivered to Quorn on a low-loader, unloaded first thing (which I missed) and then pulled up from Quorn to Loughborough by the diesel you can see in one of the pictures. Apart from being tanked up with water (which didn't quite go to plan!), she was just moved up to the shed; at which point I left."
".... it will be several weeks yet before she is pulling any sort of passengers, as I understand it, due to various testing requirements. I am hoping to take a ride in October though before she goes back off to Darlington or wherever."
I was even sent a few photos - I've included my favourite one here - but I will be soooo much happier when (and I mean WHEN, not IF) I get to see her for myself!
As far as I know, our "1st movement" covers aren't ready to roll yet, but hopefully they won't be much longer. They'll definitely be worth waiting for.
Best wishes,
Sarah
I had an email from a very lucky collector recently, giving his account of Tornado's arrival at the GCR, and he's very kindly allowed me to post some of it to the blog.....
"Delivered to Quorn on a low-loader, unloaded first thing (which I missed) and then pulled up from Quorn to Loughborough by the diesel you can see in one of the pictures. Apart from being tanked up with water (which didn't quite go to plan!), she was just moved up to the shed; at which point I left."
".... it will be several weeks yet before she is pulling any sort of passengers, as I understand it, due to various testing requirements. I am hoping to take a ride in October though before she goes back off to Darlington or wherever."
I was even sent a few photos - I've included my favourite one here - but I will be soooo much happier when (and I mean WHEN, not IF) I get to see her for myself!
As far as I know, our "1st movement" covers aren't ready to roll yet, but hopefully they won't be much longer. They'll definitely be worth waiting for.
Best wishes,
Sarah
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