TORNADO MEETS THE REMEMBRANCE LINE
On Sunday 21st June 2009 at precisely 20.50 a father's day round-Kent special train hauled by the brand new A1 class steam locomotive no.60163 'Tornado', rolled majestically into a packed Folkestone West railway station. The reason for the 15min stop was water, vital for the operation of a steam loco. For this purpose Kent Fire Brigade stood by with a large bowzer. The station started buzzing at 19.00 and the up and down platforms were gradually crowded with a throng of photo equipment bearing enthusiasts and intrigued locals alike, all of whom it would seem, were competing for the best possible viewing position.
The Remembrance Line sales/publicity team were there in force to take advantage of this ideal promotional opportunity, ably lead by John Powell, as is usual on these occasions, looking the part, kitted out in his 1950's BR guard's uniform. Ruth with camera and Martin tackled the down platform while the writer and John looked after the up. Over the evening we handed out over 400 publicity handbills. It was a pleasure to run into members we have met at our meetings and other functions, it being particularly good to get from someone we didn't know the occasional..."sorry mate don't need one-already a member!" At one stage passengers were temporarily alighting from the train to collect their leaflets and by request we even passed some through open carriage windows! Even CJB made an appearance with camcorder to add even more to his expanding archive. Also John Wills after a busy day at Sellindge was noted observing the motion of 60163 at close quarters-obviously needing a change from class 37 bogies!
We made a point of introducing ourselves to local station manager John Sandford who controls Ashford (domestic), Folkestone West, Folkestone Central, Dover, Deal and of course Folkestone Harbour. He wished us well and said that he still regularly checks Folkestone Harbour station even though officially it's in mothballs.
The writer also had the privilege of meeting 90 year old retired railwayman John Evans who hails from Berwick but is now living in Hythe near Folkestone. He fired and drove the original A1's on the East Coast Mainline between London and Newcastle during the 1950's. He commented that they were rather heavy on coal consumption and a fireman's nightmare with an awkward driver. As soon as 'Tornado' arrived, he was across the platform, chatting to the crew and in no time at all, up on the footplate-beaming all over his face!
All too soon it was time for 'Tornado' to depart with its train. With a tuneful blast of its distinctive chime whistle, vigourous panting from its air pump and a deafening blast on its cylinder drain cocks, Britain's newest steam locomotive slipped away into the solstice twilight. Everyone waved and the passengers all waved back. All at Folkestone West savoured every moment and stared in awe at the flashing tail lamp as it disappeared into the London- bound haze.
Finally the Remembrance Line got together for a de-briefing chat. A successful promotional evening was evident and all agreed that had the Folkestone Harbour Branch been open to traffic, that's just where magnificent 'Tornado' would have plied its trade-and without a doubt it still will one day, in the not too distant future...
RM 30-6-09