A1 Steam Locomotive Trust (LNER design) 4-6-2 No. 60163 'Tornado'
Darlington, Durham, UK 		Location: Darlington Locomotive Works
Status: Operational
Posted: May 21, 2026 @ 14:05:53 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will be visiting the Swanage Railway for their Autumn Steam Gala from the 11th to 13th of Sepember 2026, which for this year will have a bit of an LNER theme to it this year.
Posted: May 1, 2026 @ 17:05:54 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will be making a return visit to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway during the summer season from July 27th to August 7th 2026.
Posted: Mar 16, 2026 @ 12:03:55 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", is visiting the Nene Valley Railway from the 3rd to 14th of July 2026 for their Best of British event season then along with the British Rail Class 55 Deltic Diesel 55009 "Alycidon" from the Deltic Preservation Society. During its visit "Tornado" will work their Fish and Chips Trains and will be used on driver experience courses and will part of their East Coast Legends Event on the 11th and 12th of July 2026.
Posted: Feb 27, 2026 @ 19:02:48 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will be joining the worlds most famous locomotive ex LNER A3 Class Pacific No. 60103 (No. 4472) "Flying Scotsman", visiting the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) from 16th to 31st of May 2026. Where both locomotives work trains together during their visit with "Tornado" operating trains during their Model Railway Exhibition on the weekend of the 16th and 17th of May 2026, and will be on display for cab visits from the 23rd to 31st of May 2026. This will be a awesome site to see two of the most famous LNER Pacific steam locomotives operating together on the northern arm of the Great Central Railway then.
Posted: Feb 7, 2026 @ 20:02:38 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will be out and about during 2026 as the locomotive will be out working on the mainline again with Tyseley based Vintage Trains for a trip over the famous Settle and Carlisle Railway via Shap on the West Coast mainline from Birmingham New Street and back on the 28th of March 2026. "Tornado" will also be the star visiting locomotive at the East Lancashire Railway for their Legends of Steam Gala from the 10th to 12th of April 2026.
Posted: Sep 16, 2025 @ 12:09:25 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", has come home to Darlington by rail for the first and has become the first operational steam locomotive to enter the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s new Darlington Locomotive Works and the very first steam locomotive to arrive by rail at the new Hopetown site in Darlington via the new mainline connection to the site.
Posted: Sep 8, 2025 @ 12:09:55 by Russell Newman
After its visit to the Bluebell Railway in October, the famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will head to Tyseley Locomotive Works to operate on the mainline again with Vintage Trains this winter. The first mainline charter train "Tornado" will haul will be their Christmas White Rose tour from Dorridge to York and back on the 10th of December 2025.
Posted: Aug 7, 2025 @ 10:08:18 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will be visiting the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for the summer and early autumn hauling trains there including their North Yorkshire Pullman dining trains from the 15th of August to the 12th of September 2025.
Posted: Jul 30, 2025 @ 13:07:01 by Russell Newman
With her mainline operations with West Coast Railway Company now ended, the famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will still run on the mainline under DB Cargo for now until the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust fines a now partner to run the locomotive on mainline railtour charters around the UK. But for now "Tornado" will be at the Greatest Gathering in Derby for the full three days from the 1st to 3rd of August 2025, afterwords the locomotive will be in around her birth town of Darlington during August and September for some big Railway 200 events including the Titans of Steam Gala from the 20th of September to the 5th of October 2025. After that "Tornado" is still to visit the Bluebell Railway for their Giants of Steam Gala from the 17th to 19th of October 2025, which this years event is a new-build themed to spotlight on the new chapter of railway preservation, highlighting the impressive new-build steam locomotives which four will be at the Gala, as well as "Tornado" the new-build A1 will be joined be visiting new-build GWR Grange Class 4-6-0 No. 6880 "Betton Grange", and new-build GWR Saint Class 4-6-0 No. 2999 "Lady of Legend", from Dicot along with the Bluebell Railway’s own new-build London Brighton & South Coast Railway (Marsh Designed) H2 Class Atlantic 4-4-2 No. 32424 "Beachy Head".
Posted: Jul 28, 2025 @ 11:07:24 by Edward Barnecott
60163 and WCR operation contract has been terminated due to WCR not being content DB will operate it to the Greatest Gathering and it will no longer be hauling the railtour on the Sunday. Plans for her remain unknown
Posted: Jun 23, 2025 @ 06:06:24 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will be taking part in the Greatest Gathering at Litchurch Lane works in Derby as part of the Railway 200 celebrations from the 1st to 3rd of August 2025. To mark 200 years of opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and 200 years of the modern railway we all know and use today. No. 60163 will only be at Derby for the event on the 1st and 2nd of August only as the following Sunday the locomotive will be out working a railtour over the Settle and Carlisle Railway.
Posted: Jun 20, 2025 @ 12:06:57 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will be returning home to her birth town of Darlington to her base in the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s new Darlington Locomotive Works which is soon to be rail connected to Network Rail at Hopetown, Darlington where she will be in light steam on display during their Titans of Steam Gala as part of Railway 200 from the 20th of September to the 5th of October 2025.
Posted: Apr 25, 2025 @ 06:04:15 by Russell Newman
Following successful testing of its new ETCS (European Train Control System), the famous new-build (LNER designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will be visiting the Nene Valley Railway to help celebrate the nationwide VE Day Celebrations as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. As it was in 1945, the heart of the VE Day 80 commemorations and celebrations will be in our communities. No. 60163 will be hauling trains at the Nene Valley Railway during the celebrations on the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of May 2025.
Posted: Apr 2, 2025 @ 06:04:22 by Russell Newman
Now passed for mainline running again, the famous new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", is now expected to move to Shrewsbury this week for testing of her ETCS (European Train Control System) fitted for future mainline running. After this her first mainline railtours of 2025 will be hauling the Railway Touring Company’s Great Britain Railtour that is steam hauled around the UK, and "Tornado" will doing the Scottish leg of the tour from Edinburgh to Inverness on the 30th of April and Inverness to Edinburgh on the 2nd of May and the following day for the last leg from Edinburgh via Newcastle to Peterborough on the 3rd of May 2025.
Posted: Mar 29, 2025 @ 10:03:40 by Russell Newman
Now repainted into BR Brunswick Green livery again and having completed a succesful mainline test run, the famous new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", is now set to make a welcome return to the mainline and heritage railway circuit from this year as "Tornado" will be operating on the mainline with West Coast Railway Company until 2028.
Posted: Mar 27, 2025 @ 13:03:42 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will visit the Severn Valley Railway for their Railway 200: Trains Through The Ages event on the 5th and 6th of July 2025.
Posted: Mar 6, 2025 @ 12:03:55 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", is returning to the mainline steam circuit again as the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust have signed a deal with both West Coast Railway Company and railtour operator the Railway Touring Company to operate and use "Tornado" on their mainline charter trains. Follow completion of her overhaul and testing along with final snagging work and the installation of a new grate. The locomotive showed itself to be performing satisfactorily during some recent test runs at the Nene Valley Railway. No. 60163 will be going up to West Coast Railway Company’s Depot at Carnforth for her loaded mainline test runs to get her back out on the mainline again. But sadly this now means that her visit to the East Lancashire Railway has been put on hold to a later date now and will not be able to take part in their Legends of Steam Gala now but it is important that "Tornado" is properly tested and available for the 2025 season and is operated with confidence. As part of this deal it has been requested that "Tornado" be repainted to her 1950s style BR Brunswick Green livery but she will be back out working on the mainline and visiting more preserved railways around the UK very soon.
Posted: Jan 31, 2025 @ 12:01:38 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will be visiting the Bluebell Railway to be the star visiting locomotive for their upcoming Giants of Steam Gala from the 17th to 19th of October 2025, which this years event is a new-build themed to spotlight on the new chapter of railway preservation, highlighting impressive new-build steam locomotives.
Posted: Dec 21, 2024 @ 12:12:55 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will be visiting the East Lancashire Railway for their upcoming Legends of Steam Gala from the 14th to 16th of March 2025.
Posted: Dec 1, 2024 @ 12:12:59 by Russell Newman
The famous new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", will be working some Santa Specials at the Nene Valley Railway this Christmas during their Christmas on the Railway event from the 18th and 20th December 2024 and will also be offering an extra Driving Experience Course on 19th December 2024 as an early Christmas present for memebers of the public.
Posted: Aug 19, 2024 @ 15:08:37 by Russell Newman
Sadly the visit of the famous new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", to the Nene Valley Railway has been postboned again until the October half term due to her final steam tests and running-in trials not yet completed in time for her bank holiday weekend visit. Instead No. 60163 will be tested at the Great Central Railway where test running can get underway, including running at up to 60mph. After a short period of running in and testing at the Great Central Railway, the locomotive will then move to Tyseley Locomotive Works as a base for mainline testing in the first half of September 2024.
Posted: Jun 3, 2024 @ 12:06:37 by Russell Newman
The visit of the famous new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", to the Nene Valley Railway has been rescheduled to the August Bank Holiday weekend from the 24th to 26th of August 2024. Where "Tornado" will be hauling trains then as well as their Fenman Fish & Chips Train as well, and will also be doing some Driving Experience runs as well for memembers of the public to have go at driving and firing "Tornado" from the 20th to 22nd of August 2024.
Posted: May 24, 2024 @ 06:05:33 by Russell Newman
The overhaul on the famous new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", is now complete, and the locomotive has moved to the Great Central Railway for testing and running in trials before returning to the mainline and heritage railway circuit again.
Posted: May 10, 2024 @ 14:05:29 by Russell Newman
The visit of new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", to the Nene Valley Railway has had to be sadly cancelled as the locomotive is in the final stages of her overhaul and will not be ready in time for her visit to the railway at the end of May 2024 then. But it is hoped that No. 60163 will visit during August 2024 instead. The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust have also released a statement on the overhaul of "Tornado", saying her return to the mainline and heritage railway circuit has been delayed slightly with a number of jobs needed to complete her overhaul which is in the final stages. But in the meantime its is planned for "Tornado" to be tested at the Great Central Railway before her return to the mainline.
Posted: Mar 2, 2024 @ 09:03:43 by Russell Newman
The visit of new-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No. 60163 "Tornado", to the Nene Valley Railway has had to be pushed back until the 21st to 27th of May 2024, as No. 60163 is nearly ready to be back into service, but is due to begin static testing in March and ETCS (European Train Control System) testing in April, before returning to the mainline and heritage railway circuit.
Posted: Feb 21, 2024 @ 06:02:13 by Russell Newman
New-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado", will be undertaking some special test runs on part of the Cambrian Line, between Shrewsbury in Shropshire, and Newtown in Powys, Mid Wales, to test the new ETCS (European Train Control System) fitted to the locomotive for future mainline running, as part of the East Coast Digital Programme. The ECDP will see the digital signalling system installed on southern sections of the East Coast Main Line out of London, Kings Cross to Peterborough. No. 60163 is the first steam locomotive in the world to be fitted with ETCS digital signalling equipment, paving the way for future mainline running of steam on Network Rail in the coming years ahead.
Posted: Jan 15, 2024 @ 11:01:55 by Russell Newman
With her overhaul in the last few stages, the famous New-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado", will be visiting the Nene Valley Railway over Easter from the 28th of March to April 2nd 2024, for a series of events from Driving Exprience Courses, to Fish and Chip Dining Trains and a special running weekend as well as a photo charter.
Posted: Nov 11, 2023 @ 11:11:42 by Russell Newman
The overhaul on the famous New-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" is now nearly completed as the boiler was placed back onto the frames of the locomotive, and she underwent a steam test which everyting was alright. With some pipe work to be finnished and reinstalling the footplate fittings and associated connections, No. 60163 will soon be moved to the RIDC test centre near Derby for testing of the new ETCS system for future mainline running on the famous East Coast Mainline and other routes on Network Rail in the coming years, as well as running in trials and mainline test runs. No. 60163 "Tornado" will be back on mainline operations and heritage railway visits from Spring 2024.
Posted: Jul 12, 2023 @ 14:07:30 by Russell Newman
The boiler of the famous New-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Class Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" has successfully passed its steam test and will now be ensconced in its cladding and soon be reunited with the soon-to-be wheeled frames. A lot of work has been carried out on "Tornado" during her overhaul which has seen the fitment of the new ETCS system for future mainline running on the famous East Coast Mainline and other routes on Network Rail in the coming years. Its expected that No. 60163 will return to the mainline and heritage railway circuit soon.
Posted: Apr 16, 2023 @ 06:04:04 by Russell Newman
The famous New-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" has had a set back as her completion from her overhaul has taken longer then expected which now sadly means the locomotive will not be visiting the North Norfolk Railway at the end of May and the begining of June 2023. It is hoped that No. 60163 will be back on the mainline and heritage railway circuit later in the year.
Posted: Jan 3, 2023 @ 10:01:16 by Russell Newman
With the famous New-build LNER (Peppercorn designed) A1 Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" set to return to the mainline and heritage railway circuit in 2023, the locomotive will be visiting the North Norfolk Railway in the late spring and early summer for a week from the 27th of May to the 4th of June 2023.
Posted: Dec 13, 2022 @ 14:12:54 by Russell Newman
The boiler of new build LNER (designed) A1 Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" has returned to the UK after being overhauled where it was built at Dampflokwerk Meiningen works in East Germany. The boiler is now at Darlington Locomotive Works where it will undergo a steam test and have the cladding refitted before being returned to the locomotive. No. 60163 "Tornado" is in the final stages of her overhaul and will return to the mainline and heritage railway circuit again in 2023.
Posted: Feb 12, 2022 @ 10:02:39 by Russell Newman
In a change of the original plan, the current boiler of new build LNER (designed) A1 Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" is to be sent back to Dampflokwerk Meiningen works in East Germany for it to be overhauled and serviced and then returned to the UK for on the locomotive again. The reason for doing this rather than using one of the two new boilers being built is because the German industry has been significantly impacted by Covid-19 and this has unfortunately delayed progress on the new boilers under construction there.
Posted: Jan 19, 2022 @ 06:01:48 by Russell Newman
Having worked her final trains at the Great Central Railway new build LNER (designed) A1 Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" has now been withdrawn from service for her overhaul which will will see the locomotive have new tyres fitted along with a brand new spare boiler from Dampflokwerk Meiningen works in East Germany to be fitted and the A1 will be turned out in her iconic 1940s British Railways Apple Green livery again. The overhaul is expected to be completed by the summer of 2022.
Posted: Nov 18, 2021 @ 13:11:16 by Russell Newman
Having had suffered a number of wheel flats, new build LNER (designed) A1 Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" has had to be withdrawn from mainline running as the tyres on the locomotive and tender are nearly down to scapping size. The locomotive is scheduled for new driving and tender wheel tyres to be fitted in her upcoming overhaul at the end of the year and the beggining of 2022. In the meantime No. 60163 is to be moved to the Great Central Railway in connection with activities associated with the ETCS fitment project as well as a number of operating days there too.
Posted: Jul 2, 2021 @ 13:07:58 by Russell Newman
The famous new build LNER (designed) A1 Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" will be visiting the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to part of a star studied line up for their Annual Steam Gala from the 23rd to the 26th of Sepember 2021.
Posted: Aug 25, 2020 @ 12:08:03 by Russell Newman
2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the project building new build LNER (designed) A1 Class Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" from scratch as the 50th member of Arthur Peppercorn’s A1 Class Pacific’s which to mark this No. 60163 is being repainted to British Railways Brunswick Green livery which the locomotive will carry till her next overhaul in 2022.
Posted: Jan 23, 2020 @ 14:01:03 by Russell Newman
New build LNER (designed) A1 Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" will be making a return visit to the Nene Valley Railway in May 2020 for series of events as part their Best of British week on the 21st to 25th of May.
Posted: Sep 3, 2019 @ 09:09:43 by Jack Spencer
60163 Tornado is also visiting the Severn Valley Railway during 2019, this time during November, when she will be operating on the 9th, 10th, 17th and 24th. She has visited numerous times before, most recently in 2018.
Posted: Jun 28, 2019 @ 13:06:59 by Russell Newman
New build LNER (designed) A1 Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" will be based at Wensleydale Railway as a winter base over the winter months
Posted: Jan 5, 2019 @ 13:01:11 by Russell Newman
LNER (designed) A1 Pacific No. 60163 "Tornado" visit to the Wensleydale Railway is happening early as the locomotive will visit the line for a two month stay from February 9th to March 2nd 2019. The visit is for use of the railway as a base for mainline running and some maintenance but the locomotive will be used on service trains there. No. 60163 will return to the Wensleydale Railway again from May 11th to the 7th of June 2019.
Posted: Nov 5, 2018 @ 10:11:10 by Russell Newman
No. 60163 "Tornado" is remaining at the Nene Valley Railway for the rest of 2018 and over the winter. Where the famous New build A1 Pacific will be used on Santa Specials and Mince Pie Specials over the Christmas season for the very first time.
Posted: Sep 29, 2018 @ 14:09:55 by Russell Newman
It has been confirmed that next year from late May till early June No. 60163 "Tornado" will be visiting the Wensleydale Railway for the very first time.
Posted: Sep 20, 2018 @ 12:09:55 by Russell Newman
The repairs to 60163 "Tornado" have been completed and the New build LNER A1 is running in at the Nene Valley Railway and will also be in steam for her late 10th birthday celebrations their this weekend.
Posted: Apr 17, 2018 @ 05:04:54 by Steve Frost
On 14th April 2018 the loco was scheduled to haul the 'Ebor Flyer' train from Kings Cross to York. On the East Coast Main Line the train was timed to run at 90mph, which it achieved, but suffered a serious mechanical failure to the valve gear on the inside cylinder south of Peterborough. The train was rescued by a class 66 diesel and towed to Peterborough where 60163 was detached and moved to the nearby Nene Valley Railway. Final movement once there was by class 14 diesel hydraulic loco.

The tour continued, somewhat late, with more Class 66 haulage. 60163 is currently being assesed for repair at the Nene Valley Railway.

Posted: Feb 6, 2018 @ 05:02:30 by Russell Newman
No. 60163 "Tornado" has added several other heritage railway visits this year. The locomotive has been booked in at the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) on February 10/11. As well as visiting the North Yorkshire Moors Railway on March 3-11, the East Lancashire Railway on March 29-April 2 and the Nene Valley Railway on May 5-7 it is also visiting the Midland Railway Centre for the very first time on the weekend of April 21/22 and then the A1 is visiting the Bluebell Railway on May 25-29. So quit a busy season on the heritage railway circuit for the A1 this year.
Posted: Nov 27, 2017 @ 05:11:20 by Russell Newman
2017 has been a really good year for No. 60163 "Tornado". Having been the first steam locomotive to run at a 100mph since the 1960s and a film star in Paddington 2 2018 will mark the locomotive s 10th birthday. Which the A1 will have a busy time out on the mainline in 2018 and visits to preserved railways around the UK. From March it will visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for a week from the 3rd till the 11th of March and then to the Severn Valley Railway for there Spring Steam Gala on the 16th-18th March 2018. Then it will visit the East Lancashire Railway from March the 29th till April the 2nd. Then in May it will be visiting the Nene Valley Railway from the 3rd till the 7th of May 2018. Then in October 60163 is to work the UKs most exclusive railtour around the UK from Inverness to Penzance as part of a 2,000 mile itinerary. All this will be a fine way to mark 10 years of 60163.
Posted: Aug 3, 2017 @ 12:08:36 by Russell Newman
No. 60163 "Tornado" is to be one of the big stars at the Old Oak Common Depot Open Day in West London on the 2nd of September. Then later that month from the 22nd till 24th 60163 will join 60103 "Flying Scotsman" at Barrow Hill Roundhouse for there reopening steam gala.
Posted: Apr 12, 2017 @ 13:04:27 by Russell Newman
Last night on a high speed mainline test run on the East Coast Mainline No. 60163 "Tornado" made history when it reached the magic ton of 100mph. A new preservation speed record for steam.
Posted: Jan 27, 2017 @ 17:01:38 by Russell Newman
On the weekend of the 14th to 16th of February No. 60163 Tornado will be making history as it will be working a series of timetabled commuter trains along the Settle and Carlisle Railway from Appleby to Skipton and back. This will be the first since the days of steam that steam will working commuters on the mainline.
Posted: Oct 4, 2016 @ 14:10:13 by Russell Newman
In 2017 60163 Tornado will be doing a series mainline test runs at 90mph.
Posted: Jun 27, 2013 @ 12:06:43 by Steve Frost
The present primary photo shows the loco in British Railways blue livery, which does suit it well. Richard Jefferson captured the image on his iphone as the loco passed Salisbury on 'The Cathedrals Express' train.

The album shows all the previous incarnations - under construction; works grey; LNER apple green (with and without nameplates) and British Railways dark green. Well worth a look.

Posted: Jan 7, 2013 @ 10:01:33 by seahamlad
Tornado has been repainted into BR experimental express pasenger blue.
Posted: May 7, 2011 @ 10:05:34 by Steve Frost
Despite its recent completion, Tornado had hit boiler problems associated with the front bottom corners of the firebox. This meant that the boiler had to be returned to Germany, where it was built, for repairs.

Now the boiler has returned and the loco is being reassembled at York, with a change of livery to British Railways dark green.

Posted: Apr 8, 2009 @ 14:04:30 by FSFMM
She is now complete, she was painted in the Apple green livery and was officially named Tornado by the Prince of Wales and is now running regularly.
Posted: Dec 11, 2008 @ 14:12:35 by Steve Frost
It certainly is operational. The loco has successfully completed loaded test runs on the main line in November at speeds up to 75 mph, although it will have a considerable reserve of speed beyond that level. Currently in the workshop at the National Railway Museum, York for painting into apple green and early British Railways lettering and numbering before working its initial services on the main line in January 2009.
Posted: Sep 11, 2008 @ 15:09:02 by Steve Frost
The loco is now completed and has moved from the shop at Darlington to the Great Central Railway, Loughborough for running in and testing to gain main line approval. The movement to Loughborough was by road, but, once approval is obtained, most movements will be by rail. Testing will involve running at up to 60mph on the GCR, but not on service trains.
Posted: Mar 13, 2008 @ 08:03:27 by Steve Frost
The loco has had the boiler steam tested to 255 psi and is now 97% finished. The tender chassis has been completed and the tank mounted on it. Should be ready for the main line in September or October 2008. Testing at up to 60 mph will take place at the Great Central Railway. The Trust wants it to be allowed to run on the main line at up to 90 mph - should be well within its potential maximum - and this will be a unique situation as older, preserved locos are limited to a mere 75.
Posted: Aug 5, 2007 @ 16:08:19 by Steve Frost
August 2008. The boiler has now been mounted on the rolling chassis and it looks more like a complete loco. Still needs finance to complete a job that many thought was impossible when the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust started. For more details and if you want to help, go to the website shown in the 'links' section.
Posted: Sep 16, 2006 @ 17:09:15 by Steve Frost

The LNER was noted for its pacifics, and the last series were the class A1 and class A2. Now an A2, 60532 'Blue Peter' survives, but all the A1s were cut up. The A1 steam locomotive Trust has set about putting this right by building a new one - the first new LNER pacific since the 1940's. They are doing this at the steam centre in the former carriage works at Hopetown, Darlington, which they've styled as 'Darlington Locomotive Works' Currently the frames, cylinders, motion, wheels, leading truck and the trailing wheels  (not really a truck - they are Cartazzi axleboxes), the cab and smokebox are complete, so only the boiler is needed. Well, that's arrived, but had to be built in Germany - a sign of the times over here.