The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has formally unveiled "Tornado" in her new livery of British Railways Express Passenger Blue in front of supporters at the Didcot Railway Centre.

The repaint from her previous Brunswick Green livery was carried out during the first part of Tornado’s winter maintenance in October/November 2012 when the locomotive would have been due a repaint anyway. The original Peppercorn class A1s carried four liveries during their short service lives (Apple Green with ‘British Railways on the tender, Express Passenger Blue with the BR Crest on the tender and Brunswick Green with both Crest and later BR Emblem on the tender). The repaint was carried out at Southall depot by the same team of Ian and Dan Matthews who applied all of the previous liveries and the locomotive was again brush painted.

Mark Allatt, chairman, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust commented: “We are delighted to be unveiling Tornado in her new, striking blue livery. We have long promised that Tornado will carry all four historic liveries during her first period of operation. Tornado will therefore carry Express Passenger Blue with the BR Crest on the tender for at least the remainder of 2013 and throughout the 2014 season before reverting to her ‘core’ livery of Apple Green.”

The Trust is grateful to Didcot Railway Centre for hosting the event, Devon & Cornwall Railways for moving Tornado from her Southall base and Craftmaster Paints for their continued sponsorship of Tornado’s liveries.

Other announcements concerning the North of England: The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust promoted tours is looking at running various trains with Tornado in 2013: Tuesday, June 11th – ‘The Elizabethan’ – London King’s Cross to Edinburgh and return (with No. D9009 Alycidon) – promoted by The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust with booking through Pathfinder Tours; Wednesday, July 3rd - London to York; Sunday, July 7th "The Cathedral's Express" London to York and return; Saturday, August 10th "The Cathedral's Express" London to Newcastle and return. Please check the 'Where to Travel' page on the official A1 Steam website for more up-to-date information.

"Tornado" at Bradbury on Wednesday, July 25th, 2012, hauling "The Elizabethan" southbound towards Darlington. This was taken from Mordon Bridge just outside of Sedgefield. Sadly those overhead electric cables can spoil a good photograph - but there are not many steam trains around these days!

One of several photographs I took of Tornado at Barrow Hill in Derbyshire on April 12th, 2012. There was a three-day steam festival at this location during April with many locomotives on display including "Mallard," "Bittern," "Blue Peter" and "Green Arrow".

Another view of Tornado at Barrow Hill, in Derbyshire during April, 2012. Thankfully I had great access to this site before the three-day steam festival was open to the public on April 13th, 14th and 15th.

A nice view of the front part of "Tornado" at Barrow Hill in Derbyshire. It was great to get so close to this magnificent machine.

In steam and great to see a nice shine on those wheels!

In steam again and a wonderful view of the nameplate

Some really magnificent views of "Tornado" from various angles to please the steam enthusiasts viewing this page. The six images above were all taken at Barrow Hill, in Derbyshire, on April 12th, 2012.

"Tornado" and the A4 Pacific 4468 "Mallard" seen here just south of Thirsk headed for Locomotion: The National Railway Museum in Shildon, County Durham. "Mallard" arrived at Shildon on June 23rd, 2010 and was there for just over a year. She returned to the main hall at the NRM in York on July 22nd, 2011. Click on the image to see it full size. Photograph © Stan Laundon. Be sure to see other photographs of "Mallard" on our Steam page.

A wonderful sight for steam enthusiasts - "Tornado" and "Mallard" side by side at Shildon in June, 2010. Photograph © Stan Laundon.

Hundreds of enthusiasts turned out in force to see "Tornado" at Shildon having hauled "Mallard" from the NRM in York. Photograph © Stan Laundon.

"Tornado" at Eaglescliffe on Teesside - Saturday, April 24th, 2010. Having travelled down from Durham she took the freight route, through Norton and Stockton, before eventually stopping at Darlington North Road - her birthplace. She later moved to the Railway Museum in Shildon. Photograph © Stan Laundon.

The A1 Peppercorn class "Tornado" just south of Thirsk heading towards Newcastle on March 12, 2009. Photograph © Stan Laundon.

The A1 Peppercorn class 60163 "Tornado" running on the east coast main line. Here she was hauling the "Tyne Tornado" on March 12th, 2009. She left Newcastle for York on the morning and returned late afternoon. This photograph, one of several, was taken as she approached Thirsk, in North Yorkshire. Photograph © Stan Laundon.

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