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 make her first main line test run with support coach from York to Scarborough and return on Tuesday 4th November 2008.

Tornado’s Network Rail main line trials are only possible due to the locomotive being issued with her Engineering Acceptance (EA) certificate on Friday 31st October by Delta Rail and her Route Acceptance certificate on Monday 3rd November by Network Rail. This means that the locomotive is considered fit from an engineering and operating perspective to undertake testing on Network Rail tracks. These certificates represent a year's continuous work by Graham Nicholas, the Trust’s quality & certification director and his team, compiling the necessary documentation to be presented to Delta Rail Vehicle Acceptance Body in support of their scrutiny process that has led to them issuing the certificate.

Tornado will follow the timings below from York to Scarborough:

York NRM: 18:04
York station: 18:18
Scarborough: 20:12

Following servicing and inspection at Scarborough, Tornado will return to York as follows:

Scarborough: 22:15
York station: 23:44
York NRM: 23:59

This will be the first time that a new main line steam locomotive has steamed on Network Rail since 1960 and the first Peppercorn class A1 since the last surviving original Peppercorn class A1 60145 Saint Mungo was scrapped in 1966.

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

“Today is a very exciting day for the Trust. After two amazing months of tests, trials and initial passenger operations on the Great Central Railway, Tornado is now ready to stretch her legs on the Network Rail main line, where she will be tested at speeds of up to 75mph this month in 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 test runs will take place on Tuesday 4th (locomotive and support coach from York to Scarborough and return), Thursday 6th (locomotive and train to 60mph from York to Barrow Hill, Chesterfield and return) and Tuesday 18th November (locomotive and train to 75mph from York to Newcastle and return). 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 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