TORNADO

 

"Tornado" to tackle Shap with 'The Border Raider' - photograph © the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

"Tornado" the first new main line steam locomotive to be built in Britain for almost 50 years, will be travelling to Carlisle over the fearsome Shap Bank and taking in the fabulous scenery of the Cumbrian Fells and the Settle to Carlisle railway with ‘The Border Raider’ on Wednesday, April 21st.

In 2009 Tornado hauled three sell-out tours over the world famous Settle to Carlisle railway, and to satisfy demand, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is once again taking the locomotive over this route. In addition the locomotive will also work for the first time from Crewe to Carlisle via the West Coast Main Line, having to compete with the long arduous climb over Shap Bank before descending down into the border city of Carlisle. ‘The Border Raider’ will depart behind a modern electric locomotive from London Euston and pick up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes and Tamworth to enable as many people as possible to join the tour. Tornado will take over 'The Border Raider' at Crewe and will haul the train along the West Coast Main Line direct to Carlisle. With around two and a half hours in Carlisle to visit the castle or museum, or just have a relaxing lunch in one of the local restaurants, the return tour will depart from Carlisle and head over the famous Settle and Carlisle railway with its many tunnels, lofty viaducts and magnificent views. At Hellifield Tornado will be detached and then head to York for her next duty, whilst ‘The Border Raider’ returns to London via Crewe and all outward stations behind a (less!) modern locomotive.

Prices for 'The Border Raider' are: Standard Class £89.00, First Class (non-dining) £129.00 and Premier Dining £189.00. Discount for Children 10%, 2% additional charge for credit cards, 1% additional charge for debit cards. Bookings for 'The Border Raider' are via the Trust's agent, Steam Dreams on 01483 209888 or email info@steamdreams.co.uk.

"Tornado" - without a nameplate - hauling her first main line passenger train the "Peppercorn Pioneer" and heading North. This was taken on January 31st, 2009 just south of Thirsk from a bridge on the A168 road.

The A1 Peppercorn class "Tornado" at Thirsk south heading towards Newcastle on March 12, 2009.

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.

March 12th, 2009 - again at Thirsk in North Yorkshire

"Tornado" - again, without her name plate, taken at Bradbury, just outside of Sedgefield as she headed towards Ferryhill having left Darlington. This was taken on February 1st, 2009.

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Tornado

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, a registered charity, built Peppercorn class A1 Pacific 60163 "Tornado" at its Darlington Locomotive Works to haul charter trains operating on Network Rail. Fitted with additional water capacity and the latest railway safety electronics, "Tornado" is fully equipped for today's main line railway. The class A1's were designed by Arthur H. Peppercorn for the London & North Eastern Railway and 49 were built in 1948/49 by British Railways. However, following the dieselisation of the railways, all were scrapped by 1966. The project to build a new Peppercorn class A1 was launched in 1990 and after 18 years of planning, construction and fundraising the £3 million locomotive was completed in August 2008. Following tests and trials, first on the Great Central Railway, Loughborough and latterly on the Network Rail main line based out of the National Railway Museum, York, "Tornado" hauled her first main line passenger train on January 31st, 2009 (see below). "Tornado" was named by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at York station on February 19th, 2009. Funds to build "Tornado" have been raised through deeds of covenant, commercial sponsorship (principal sponsor William Cook Cast Products Limited), commercial loans and through a bond issue. The Trust is still seeking to raise funds to repay the £832,000 borrowed to complete her construction. For details of how to help or where to travel behind "Tornado" telephone 01325 460163, visit A1steam or email enquiries@a1steam.com.

"Tornado - Absolutely Chuffed - The Men Who Built a Steam Engine" is now on DVD.

In 1990 a group of dedicated people came together with a vision of what seemed at the time an unachievable task. They were united by an extraordinary ambition to construct a brand new steam engine and to bring back to life the Peppercorn class
A1 Pacific steam engine. After 18 years of incredible effort and teamwork, and at the cost of £3 million, their dream became a reality when locomotive No. 60163 Tornado moved under her own power for the first time. Good Guys Media Limited present the DVD of this BBC programme which tells the story of an amazing tale of co-operation, skill and sheer hard graft by men who defied the critics who had said it could never be done.

Tornado has become a celebrity in her own right, taking Britain by storm and attracting crowds wherever she goes. As the first
mainline steam locomotive built in Britain for almost 50 years, she has become a TV star, splashed across newspaper pages and was even the centrepiece of an episode of 'Top Gear' with Jeremy Clarkson on the shovel. And just before Christmas the locomotive came to the rescue of around 100 stranded passengers at London Victoria station after modern day electric trains ground to a halt in snowy conditions!

This beautifully shot DVD takes the story on, with new, extra footage never before seen on TV. It is an essential purchase, not only for fans of steam, but for anyone who admires traditional British grit and determination.

DVD Extras include: speech from HRH The Prince of Wales at the Royal naming ceremony; Robert Hall BBC News Interview; the first
run to London; and extended interview with the team.

A donation will be made to The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, the builders of Tornado, for every DVD sold. It is available from WH Smith, HMV and all good online retailers with a recommended retail price of £14.99 RRP.

Sites

Other sites you may find of interest relating to this page

A1 Steam Locomotive Trust

NYMR

Clicking on the above smaller photographs of "Tornado" heading north towards Thirsk hauling the "Tyne Tornado" will open larger size images.

 

All photographs of "Tornado" by Stan Laundon were taken with a Canon 1000D using a Canon EF 100-400mm lens. All photographs are © copyright and must not be copied, or used in any way, without prior written permission.