Today, a warming fire has been lit in Tornado's firebox. The fire has been lit, as planned, following the locomotive being weighed, and the successful resolution of a small number of minor snagging tasks. The locomotive will be gently brought into steam before commencing static and dynamic tests this week.
No. 60163 will undertake initial movements at the Great Central Railway before moving by road to the Nene Valley Railway next week. The first public trains with Tornado will run on the 24th-26th August, and booking details can be found here.
Tickets are also on sale for Tornado's first main line train, across the Settle and Carlisle railway on Saturday 21st September, and more information about that tour can be found here. That is sure to be a triumphant moment in this locomotive's story!
There will be further updates as the week progresses, to bring you the latest from Tornado's return to the rails.