While working the Royal Train on the 23rd July, Torando suffered from a small problem near York. An incredible response by the team in charge that day meant running repairs were carried out en route and Prince Charles reached Alnmouth on time with no delay incurred.
09.15 David Elliott is at the track side at Eldon Lane (about 1 mile from Bishop Auckland) to photograph the train.
09.17 David receives a call from Graeme Bunker with a suspicion of a blowing piston rod gland or drain cock gasket on the middle cylinder.
09.25 David heads to Darlington to start machining gland packings just in case.
10.22 The engine is inspected again at Bishop Auckland. Graeme phones David confirming a small plug on cylinder drain cock is missing on the middle cylinder. There is no spare available on the support coach and search for an alternative spare at DLW is not successful.
10.40 David arrives at M Machine at Darlington with an original drawing and instructs Tommy Jones, machinist, to fabricate a new one.
10.45 Tommy starts work on a metal blank.
11.00 Tommy completes the temporary plug including single point turning 2" x 11TPI thread; David sets off for station with the Royal Train passing over North Road bridge as he drives underneath!!
11.10 David arrives at Bank Top station as the train pulls into the loop on the east side under the station roof.
11.15 Jon Pridmore and David Wright fit the plug, Colin Green from DB Schenker inspects the work and the train gets away right on time.
All in all, a truly breath-taking race against time with everyone involved doing their utmost to keep the show on the road! Well done team!
Tommy Jones turns up the replacement cylinder drain cock plug in record time - David Elliott
The new part is quickly fitted to Tornado at Darlington - David Elliott