Fife Circle steam tour

Tornado has spent a lot of time in Scotland recently and I have been more than happy to go along to add to my collection of photographs of her.

The Scottish Railway Preservation Society tour today covered the Fife Circle with the morning tour running clockwise and then going the opposite direction in the afternoon.

This presented plenty of opportunities at a variety of locations throughout the day.

60163 Tornado approaching Kinghorn station

60163 Tornado passing through Kinghorn station

60163 Tornado at Cowdenbeath station

60163 Tornado at Jamestown

60163 Tornado crossing Jamestown Viaduct

60163 Tornado exits from one of the arches on the Forth Bridge

60163 Tornado high above South Queensferry

Scotrail Steam Tour

Scotrail don't run may steam train tours and today's engine, 60163 Tornado, isn't a normal steam engine.

She was completed in the 21st century but is based on the Peppercorn A1's of the 1940's.

Many people took advantage of a reduced price ticket offer on the trip from Stirling to Inverness, and as many people turned out along the route to watch her passing.

 We had a great day as we followed the loco as far as Dunkeld & Birnam station.

Tornado passing Greenfaulds Station on her way to start the tour

Tornado approaching Blackford

Level crossing and signal box at Blackford

Enthusiasts watching Tornado passing through Dunkeld & Birnam Station

Tornado passing through Dunkeld & Birnam Station

Semaphore signals ensures the line is clear for Tornado to pass through

Dunkeld & Birnam Station building

RAF Lossiemouth

I think I now know what the underside of a Tornado looks like after spending several hours watching them taking off and landing at RAF Lossiemouth.

We were almost within touching distance at times and the roar of their engines was deafening as they flew directly overhead.

Squadron of Tornados lined up at Lossiemouth

Tornado coming in to land

Piper Cheyenne coming in to land

Tristar troop carrier taxiing for take-off