Following her successful test run from York to Scarborough and return on Tuesday 4th November, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, the registered charity that has built the first new main line steam locomotive in Britain for almost 50 years, today announced that 60163 Tornado will haul her first train on the Network Rail main line from York to Barrow Hill (Chesterfield) and return on Thursday 6th November 2008. This non-passenger carrying test train will consist of 12 carriages plus a class 67 diesel locomotive, equating to 550 tons, and will run at up to 60mph.

Tornado will follow the timings below from York to Barrow Hill (Chesterfield):
York NRM: 18:41
York station: 19:49
Sheffield station: 21:47
Sheffield station: 22:05
Barrow Hill roundhouse (Chesterfield): 23:10

Following servicing and inspection at Barrow Hill (Chesterfield), Tornado will return to York as follows:
Barrow Hill roundhouse (Chesterfield): 00:27
Doncaster station: 01:30
Doncaster station: 01:40
York station: 02:31
York NRM: 0256

Speaking about Tornado’s first main line test train, Mark Allatt, chairman of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust said:

“Today is another momentous day for Tornado. Her successful initial main line test run on Tuesday, witnessed by hundreds of our supporters, will be followed tonight by a loaded test run from York to Barrow Hill roundhouse near Chesterfield and back. This train will consist of 12 carriages plus a diesel locomotive, which at the equivalent of around 550 tons should give Tornado an opportunity to show the sort of performance we can expect from a Peppercorn class A1. Tornado’s test runs are all part of the preparation for her Network Rail passenger début in the New Year.”

Tornado will be based at the National Railway Museum (NRM), York, until at least February 2009. During her stay Tornado will undertake her main line tests and trials before completing the certification process and receiving the go-ahead to operate on Network Rail. Tornado’s first test run took place on Tuesday 4th (locomotive and support coach from York to Scarborough and return) and will be followed by Thursday 6th (locomotive and train to 60mph from York to Barrow Hill roundhouse, Chesterfield and return) and Tuesday 18th November (locomotive and train to 75mph from York to Newcastle and return; click here for prospective timings). When not undergoing engineering work and preparation for her trials, Tornado will be on display at the museum. The locomotive will then enter the NRM’s paint shop where she will loose her now familiar test livery of photographic grey.

Mark Allatt, chairman of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust added:

“Tornado undergoing her main line trials is the next chapter in the story of a project that many said could never be completed. In 1990 a group was formed with a vision and the determination to make it succeed – to build and operate a Peppercorn class A1 Pacific steam locomotive for main line and preserved railway use. 18 years later, and thanks to that shared vision and determination, Tornado turned her wheels in anger for the first time on 1st August 2008 in front of the world’s press. It is thanks to our more than 2,000 regular monthly and other donors, our sponsors led by William Cook Cast Products Limited and the hard work of our volunteers and contractors that all that remains now between Tornado and main line operations is the successful completion of her tests and trails programme on Network Rail this month. The Trust is now looking to the great British public to help us get Tornado onto the main line passenger service by making a donation, sponsoring a component, taking part in our covenant scheme and/or our £500,000 bond issue. There is only £50,000 to help fund a support coach and £66,000 to pay for tests and trials between now and Tornado's main line passenger début.”

The Trust respectfully requests that anyone wanting to see Tornado's trials follows the rules of the railway and only goes where permitted.

- ENDS -

Photographs of original A1s and Tornado are available on request.

Note to Editors
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, a registered charity, has built Peppercorn class A1 Pacific 60163 Tornado at its Darlington Locomotive Works and when certified it will be used on 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 A1s 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. Over £2.9m has been raised to-date through deeds of covenant, commercial sponsorship (principal sponsor William Cook Cast Products Limited) and through a bond issue. For details of how to help telephone 01325 4 60163, visit www.a1steam.com or email enquiries@a1steam.com.

For more information please contact:
Mark Allatt, chairman, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, on 07710 878979 or mark.allatt@a1steam.com