On Thursday 19
th February 2009
Tornado was officially named by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at York Station. Their Royal Highnesses arrived by the Royal Train and were greeted by civic dignitaries and Mark Allatt and Barry Wilson of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. Having met a representative number of covenantors, volunteers and contractors as
Tornado backed down onto the train they proceeded to the podium to officially name the locomotive. Prince Charles paid tribute to all those who brought the dream to reality and then removed the banner covering the nameplate; moments later an RAF flypast of a Tornado F2 and two Hawk jets thundered over the station. After meeting the crew The Prince joined them on the footplate while The Duchess accompanied Dorothy Mather and other guests to the train.
Tornado then departed with the Royal Train for Leeds with the Prince still on the footplate. It was an extraordinary start to what was become an extraordinary career.
HRH The Prince of Wales is introduced to Dorothy Mather, widow of Arthur Peppercorn – Rob Morland
TRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall honour the locomotive – Neil Whitaker
HRH The Prince of Wales unveils Tornado’s nameplate and plaque – Neil Whitaker
Tornado in charge of the Royal Train at Church Fenton – Geoff Griffiths