The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is delighted to announce that the locomotive plays a starring role in the new PADDINGTON 2 movie to be released on 10^th November 2017 along with luxury vintage train, Belmond British Pullman.

PADDINGTON 2 is an upcoming British-French family-comedy film directed by Paul King, co-written by King and Simon Farnaby, and produced by David Heyman. The film sees stars Ben Whishaw (as the voice of Paddington) Hugh Grant (as Phoenix Buchanan, a faded and narcissistic actor), Brendan Gleeson (as Knuckles McGinty, a safecracker), Hugh Bonneville (as Henry Brown), Sally Hawkins (as Mary Brown), Julie Walters (as Mrs Bird), Jim Broadbent (as Samuel Gruber), Peter Capaldi (as Mr Curry), Madeleine Harris (as Judy Brown), Samuel Joslin (as Jonathan Brown), Imelda Staunton (as the voice of Lucy, Paddington's aunt) and Tornado as itself. No. 60163 took part in filming at Paddington station and at Leavesden Studios in December and January 2017. The film is set to release in the UK on 10^th November 2017.

The much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in London, where he has become a popular member of the local community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington sees a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief, who appears to be a master of disguise…

In celebration of the release of PADDINGTON 2 on 10^th November 2017, No. 60163 Tornado is to haul two Paddington Afternoon Tea journeys aboard Belmond British Pullman, bringing the magic of Paddington’s adventures to London’s favourite train. Departing from London Victoria Station on 2^nd December 2017 and 16^th February 2018, the luxurious 1920s and 1930s carriages will take families on a Paddington-inspired journey of a lifetime. Suitable for small and grown up bears, the Afternoon Tea menu includes sweet treats and marmalade sandwiches.  Paddington-inspired activities are also available on-board for families throughout the journey to fully immerse themselves in the world of Paddington.

Graeme Bunker-James, Trustee and Operations Director, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented, “We were delighted to be asked to provide No. 60163 Tornado for the filming of PADDINGTON 2 alongside the Belmond British Pullman – even more so as the locomotive stars as itself in the movie and is central to the plot. We don’t want to give anything away and ruin any surprises, but suffice to say that Paddington gets into a number of sticky situations involving Tornado.

“Paddington – and Tornado – fans of all ages can experience some of the magic of the film for themselves by travelling on one of the Paddington Afternoon Tea journeys aboard Belmond British Pullman hauled by No. 60163 on either 2^nd December 2017 and 16^th February 2018. And the Trust has its very own club – the Tornado Team - for younger Tornado fans aged from five to fifteen.”

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