Tornado will be back on the Network Rail main line tomorrow (18^th May 2011) with two test runs from York to Scarborough and back following her extended winter maintenance period at the National Railway Museum in York. The locomotive is now wearing BR Brunswick green, in place of her now familiar LNER apple green, which the original A1s carried for most of their lives up until the last one was scrapped in 1966. Over the duration of her first boiler certificate Tornado will carry all of the A1’s historic liveries of LNER apple green with ‘British Railways’ on the tender, BR blue and BR Brunswick green, with both crest and emblem.

The following timings are guidelines and may vary on the day:

Depart York 1108hrs

Arrive Scarborough 1207hrs

Depart Scarborough 1307hrs

Arrive York 1410hrs

Depart York 1600hrs

Arrive Scarborough 1710hrs

Depart Scarborough 1810hrs

Arrive York 1912 hrs

Following her light engine test runs Tornado will be visiting the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (www.nymr.co.uk) arriving on 25^th May and staying until 5^th June. On Thursday 26^th May, a symbolic day for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway as it marks the 175th anniversary since the Whitby-Pickering line was first opened in 1836, as well as hauling passenger services during the day Tornado will also haul a special ‘Anniversary’ Pullman dining service during the evening. Following her visit Tornado will then carry out a loaded main line test run and will then be fully re-certified for main line service ready for her first her first main line train in her new Brunswick Green livery which will now be ‘The Canterbury Tornado’ on Saturday 18^th June from Poole (Tornado from Willesden) to Canterbury and return promoted by Pathfinder, operated by DB Schenker.

Mark Allatt, chairman, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented:

“It’s fantastic to have Tornado back on the Network Rail main line where she belongs.  The Trust would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve Davies and the team at the NRM for their kind hospitality during Tornado’s extended winter maintenance period, our hard working volunteers and contractors for doing such a magnificent job and all of our friends and partners for their loyal support over the past few months.”

Tornado stands outside the NRM - Jack Beeston